Patent ID: 9650996
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: B64G,F02K,F05D

Claim:
1. An apparatus for controlling pressure in a pressure vessel, wherein the pressure vessel is connected to a pressure source by a plurality of valves, and wherein the pressure vessel includes one or more pressure sensors arranged to measure pressure within the pressure vessel, the apparatus comprising: a sensor input configured to receive pressure signals from the one or more pressure sensors; a maximum pressure threshold input configured to receive a maximum pressure threshold signal; a minimum pressure threshold input configured to receive a minimum pressure threshold signal; a power output configured to provide a power supply to the one or more pressure sensors; a valve signal output configured to output valve driver signals; a valve controller configured to: compare the one or more pressure signals to the maximum pressure threshold signal and the minimum pressure threshold signal; upon the one or more pressure signals dropping below a value associated with the minimum pressure threshold signal, outputting a first valve driver signal that causes at least one of the plurality of valves to open; and upon the one or more pressure signals rising above a value associated with the maximum pressure threshold signal, outputting a second valve driver signal that causes at least one of the plurality of valves to close; wherein the pressure vessel is a liquid fuel propellant tank for an engine of a spacecraft, wherein the maximum pressure threshold signal and the minimum pressure threshold signal are received from a flight management computer for the spacecraft that dynamically adjusts the maximum pressure threshold signal and the minimum pressure threshold signal based on performance of the engine of the spacecraft.