Patent ID: 8196868
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: B64G,F17C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. In combination, a cryogenic propellant depot incorporating an integral sunshield, said combination comprising: a tank having a sidewall enclosing a quantity of cryogenic liquid therein; a bulkhead attached to an end of said tank, said bulkhead having an interior open space defining a thermal isolation reservoir between the tank and the bulkhead; a docking port formed on said bulkhead and communicating with an interior of said tank for selectively evacuating liquid in said tank; and a sunshield attached to said tank, said sunshield having a first smaller end secured adjacent said docking port, and a second larger end extending away from said first end and having a length that exceeds a length of said tank, said sunshield forming a truncated cone shape to cover said tank when viewing said tank from a side view; and wherein said tank has a longitudinal axis, and said tank rotates about its longitudinal axis such that a gas core is formed extending through a center of the tank and along said longitudinal axis.