Using at least one pressure sensor in an emptying pipe or a feed pipe between emptying valves at the outlets from tanks and feed valves for feeding nozzles, to detect the pressure waves that result form opening and closing a feed valve, and then following operation of said valve, detecting the damping or disappearance of the pressure waves, indicating that the transition between the liquid propellant component and the pressurization gas is going past said pressure sensor, and thus that the tank is completely empty. This detection of complete emptying is a step in a method of managing propellant that makes it possible to allocate the remaining propellant to a residual lifetime for the satellite in orbit and/or to re-orbiting or de-orbiting the satellite.
This information is part of a study by Oasis Global, Inc. of all space inventions filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any particular assignee, inventor or invention. Although Peter A. Koziol represents inventors and assignees of space inventions he does not represent all of the inventors and assignees listed. The prosecuting attorney agent or firm for each patent is identified by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the patent specfication, which can be viewed by clicking on the patent image or downloading the patent document. For more information regarding Mr. Koziol's background and experience, or to learn more about space inventions, please contact Mr. Koziol.
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