Patent GB-1073144-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in propellant supply to electro-thermic ejectors
Inventor: COLOMBANI DON PIERRE LOUIS JEA
IPC: B64G1/40
Filed: 1964-08-07
Abstract: <PICT:1073144/C6-C7/1> The invention relates to a method of a decomposing lithium hydride.  The device shown in Fig.1 is suitable for use in an environment where gravity exists, and comprises a container 1 formed by three walls 1a, 1b, 1c which define spaces 7 and 3 therebetween, an electric heating element being disposed within the inner space 3 and heat insulating material being disposed within the outer space 7.  A cover 2 containing heat insulating material is provided to close the container. An outlet duct 8 is provided from the lower part of the container and an outlet duct 9 from the upper part.  A pyrometer 11 is also provided.  The container is filled with lithium hydride in powder form and current supplied to the heating coil whereupon the hydride first melts and then decomposes, the gaseous hydrogen passing out through the outlet 9 and the liquid lithium passing through outlet 8.  The device in Fig. 2 (not shown) is utilized when no gravitational field exists, as in space, and comprises a container 1d in which the lithium hydride in powder form is contained.  The container comprises a flexible diaphragm to which fluid under pressure is applied to pressurize the lithium hydride which is thereby urged towards the duct 24 where it is heated by means of an electric coil 4 or by other means.  The hydride is thereby brought to a temperature between its melting point and its temperature of decomposition and is then pumped by the pump 25 to the helicoidal chamber 26 where it is further heated by an electric coil 28.  The liquid lithium is separated out by the centrifugal action and passes out through outlet 8a while the less dense gaseous hydrogen passes out through the axial outlet 9a. The device in Fig. 3 (not shown) also operates in the absence of gravity, the powdered lithium hydride being pressurized into the convergent outlet 15 where it is heated by the coil 4, the liquid lithium and gaseous hydrogen passing into the lower compartment 21 of a vessel 19, the liquid lithium passing therefrom through the outlet 8b and the gaseous hydrogen passing through the perforated partition 22 to the compartment 20 from which it discharges through outlet 9b.ALSO:<PICT:1073144/C1/1> The invention relates to a method of decomposing lithium hydride. The device shown in Fig. 1 is suitable for use in an environment where gravity exists, and comprises a container 1 formed by three walls 1a, 1b, 1c which define spaces 3 and 7 therebetween, an electric heating element being disposed within the inner space 3 and heat insulating material being disposed within the outer space 7.  A cover 2 containing heat insulating material is provided to close the container.  An outlet duct 8 is provided from the lower part of the container and an outlet duct 9 from the upper part.  A pyrometer 11 is also provided.  The container is filled with lithium hydride in powder form and current supplied to the heating coil whereupon the hydride first melts and then decomposes, the gaseous hydrogen passing out through the outlet 9 and the liquid lithium passing through outlet 8.  The device in Fig. 2 (not shown) is utilized when no gravitational field exists, as in space, and comprises a container 1a in which the lithium hydride in powder form is contained. The container comprises a flexible diaphragm to which fluid under pressure is applied to pressurize the lithium hydride which is thereby urged towards the duct 24 where it is heated by means of an electric coil 4 or by other means. The hydride is thereby brought to a temperature between its melting point and its temperature of decomposition and is then pumped by the pump 25 to the helicoidal chamber 26 where it is further heated by an electric coil 28.  The liquid lithium is separated out by the centrifugal action and passes out through outlet 8a while the less dense gaseous hydrogen passes out through the axial outlet 9a.  The device in Fig. 3 (not shown) also operates in the absence of gravity, the powdered lithium hydride being pressurized into the convergent outlet 15 where it is heated by the coil 4, the liquid lithium and gaseous hydrogen passing into the lower compartment 21 of a vessel 19, the liquid lithium passing therefrom through the outlet 8b and the gaseous hydrogen passing through the perforated partition 22 to the compartment 20 from which it discharges through outlet 9b.