Unit for generating thrust from catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, for high altitude aircraft or spacecraft reaction contro

Davis, N. S.

Kubica, A. J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

REPLY TO 
ATTN OF: 
FROM : 
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
WASIIINGTON, D C .  20546 
July 27, 1970 
~~~/~cientific & Technical Information Division 
Attention: Miss Winnie M. Morgan 
~ ~ / ~ f f i c e  of Assistant General 
Counsel for Patent Matters 
SUBJECT: Announcement of NASA-Owned 
U.S. Patents in STAR 
In accordance with the procedures contained in the Code GP 
to Code US1 memorandum on this subject, dated June 8, 1970, 
the attached NASA-owned U.S. patent is being forwarded for 
abstracting and announcement in NASA STAR. 
The following information is provided: 
U.S. Patent No. 
Corporate Source 
: 3,135,089 
Food Machinery & Chemical 
: Corporation 
Supplementary 
Corporate Source 
NASA Patent Case No.: XMS-00583 
Please note that this patent covers an invention made by an 
employee of a NASA contractor. Pursuant to Section 305(a) of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Act, the name of the 
Administrator of NASA appears on the first page of the patent; 
however, the name of the actual inventor (author) appears at 
the heading of Column No. 1 of the Specification, following the 
words ". . . with respect to an invention of. . . .I1 
~ayle Parker 
Enclosure: 
Copy of Patent 
g- w 
(PAGES) ,. (CODE1 Y 
G r q (NASA CR OR TMX OR AD NUMBER) (CATEGORY) 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700029188 2020-03-17T02:15:04+00:00Z
June 2, 1964 HUGH L. DRYDEN 3,135,089 
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR O F  THE NATIONAL 
AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
DECOMPOSITION UNTT 
Filed Sept . 29, -1961 
h NOAH 
ANDREW d KUB//GA 
ATORNEYS 
3,135,089 United States Patent OEce ,, ,,,, , ,, 
a second chamber through a second catalyst bed and 
3,135,089 towards an outlet at the other end of the unit. 
DECO~OSHTPON WMT A more complete appreciation of this invention and Hugh E. Dryden, Deputy Adminisahator of many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readi- Aeronnaaetics m d  Space Admi~s&a~on,  1526) M St. NW., 
25, D.C., with respect iplventiOn of 5 ly gained as the same becomes better understood by ref- 
Andrew J. IlCnbisa md Noah $. Davis erence to the following detailed description and accom- 
Filed Sepd. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 182,699 panying drawing wherein: 
7 Claims. 6CB. 60-35.6) The figure is a side elevational view, partially in sec- 
tion and partially schematic, of the hydrogen peroxide de- 
The invention described herein may be manufactured 10 composition unit according to this invention. 
and used by or for the Government of the United States In the embodiment chosen for illustrative purposes 
of America for governmental purposes without the pay- and shown in the drawing, a thrust unit, generally desig- 
ment of any royalties thereon or therefor. nated by reference numeral 11, comprises essentially the 
This invention relates generally to catalyst bed de- following functional components: (1) hydrogen peroxide 
composition units, and more particularly to reaction de- 15 fuel supply system 13; (2) first generally cylindrical de- 
vices utilizing catalytically decomposed hydrogen per- composition chamber 15; ( 3 )  second generally cylindrical 
oxide for thrust generation. decomposition chamber 17; and (4) outlet means 19, 
Among the essential elements of many space vehicles all to be more specifically described hereinafter. 
or high altitude aircraft are a number of sinall reaction Thrust unit 11 includes frame 21, preferably of gen- 
engines for controlling vehicle attitude in the pitch, roll, 20 erally elongate cylindrical form, having a first end por- 
and yaw planes. In view of the total weight and volume tion 23 defined by generally cup-shaped bulkhead 25 
limitations of present day vehicles of these types, it is confornling to the internal shape oi  frame 21, and abut- 
desirable that reaction engines for attitude control be ting and affixed to internal shoulder 27 thereof. As is 
both lightweight and compact. It  is a further require- the case with all of the structural connections to be de- 
ment of such devices that they be capable of generating 25 scribed hereinafter, the interconnection of bulkhead 25 
full thrust reliably and repeatedly very shortly after actu- to frame 21 may be accomplished in any conventional 
ation. manner, such, for example, as welding or machine bolts, 
It  is well known that hydrogen peroxide decomposes not shown. 
readily into superheated steam and oxygen when passed Mounted in bulk head 25 is an inlet means 29 compris- 
over any one of various catalytic agents. Accordingly, 30 ing tube 31 extending along the longitudinal axis of unit 
catalytic bed decomposition units with hydrogen peroxide 11 and a manifold plate 33 conforming to the internal 
fuel have been utilized extensively for small thrust gen- shape of bulkhead 25. As shown in the drawing, plate 
erating control engines. However, at environmental 33 abuts the interior wall 35 of bullchead 25 in sealing 
temperatures of 40" Fahrenheit and below, it has been relationship, and has a plurality of apertures 37 formed 
found that a substantial lag time exists between the initial 35 therein. Accordingly, a first decomposition chamber 15 
contact of the hydrogen peroxide with the catalyst bed is formed between bulkhead 25 and manifold plate 33. 
and the attainment of the fuli thrust capabilities of the Mounted between annular end 39 of bulkhead 25 and 
engine. This delay in reaching full thrust, which can an internal sho~~lder  41 on frame 21 is a distributor plate 
render such devices useless for attitude control of high 43 having apertures 45 formed therein, thus forming sec- 
velocity vehicles, is accentuated by repealed "on-off" use 40 ond decomposition chamber 17, closed save for apertures 
of the engine. The aforementioned conventional thrust 45 and 37. Suitably affixed to outlet end 47 of frame 
engines have consisted essentially of a hydrogen peroxide 21 may be a conventional converging-diverging nozzle 
feed line, a decomposition chamber enclosing a catalyst 49, constituting an outlet means 19 for the decomposi- 
bed, and an outlet nozzle, wherein fuel flow progressed tion unit. 
directly across the bed towards the nozzle. 45 Communicating with tube 31 through conventional 
Since severe weight and power penalties are attendant valve means 51 is a supply container 53 of hydrogen per- 
to the provision of means to maintain the chamber and oxide. A plurality of radially directed orifices 54 formed 
hydrogen peroxide fuel supply at temperatures above in tube 31 permit radial dispersion of hydrogen peroxide 
40" Fahrenheit, a need has arisen for such an engine (from container 53) within first decomposition chamber 
capable of reliable rapid attainment of full thrust at lower 50 15 whenever valve means 51 is actuated to the "open" 
temperatures. position. Valve means 51 may include a conventional 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide solenoid valve, controlled, for example, by a vehicle roll 
a new and improved unit for the catalytic decompoqition detector, not shown. In such a case, nozde 49 could be 
of hydrogen peroxide. so positioned on the vehicle as to correct roll in a given 
Anoiher object of the present invention is the provision 55 
of a lightweight, conlpact thrust engine. Positioned within chamber 15 is a wire mesh screen 
A further object of the instant invention is to provide rolled around tube 31 into the form d a scroll, schemati- 
a unit of reliably and rapidly cally illustrated by lines 55. This screen 55 is formed of 
attaining full decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in- a catalytic material capable of aiding the decomposition 
troduced thereinto. 60 of hydrogen peroxide. Among suitable materials for this 
An additional object of this inveniion is the provision catalytic function are silver and platinum. A preferred 
of a simple, rugged and economical thrust engine of a material is samarium nitrate-treated silver, which has ex- 
reliable nature. cellent properties as a catalyst in this role, forms readily into wire, and has excellent heat transferal properties, an According to the present invention, the foregoing and 65 advantage discussed further 
other objects are attained by providing an elongated de- As a specific example of screen construction a 0.014 
composition unit having means for introducing hydrogen inch radius wire woven into 20 20 per inch mesh has peroxide at one end thereof, means arranged to cause been found to work quite well in a unit, the overall diam- 
the hydrogen peroxide to travel transversely across a eter of which (i.e., of frame 21) is approximately two first chamber through a first catalyst bed and to trap a 70 inches. 
portion thereof in contact with the bed, and means to Within second chamber 17 there are rigidly mounted 
then channel the hydrogen peroxide longitudinally along a series of screens 57, illustrated somewhat schematically, 
3,135,089 
3 4 
which may be of wire mesh identical to catalyst screen 1. An elongate hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit 
55. The number of screens 57 is not critical, but 20 or  for generating thrust, comprising means defining first and 
more may be used. Each screen 57 is mounted to ex- second decomposition chambers arranged longitudinal!y 
tend transversely across chamber 17, and the screens are within said unit, radially directed inlet means for intro- 
arranged longitudinally serially along the chamber, as 5 ducing hydrogen peroxide transversely of said unit within 
indicated in the drawing. said first decomposition chamber, manifold aperture 
Tbe operation of the unit should be obvious to those means for establishing longitudinal communication be- 
skilled in the art from a reading of the foregoing detailed tween said first and second decomposition chambers, out- 
description, but for purposes of clarity and in order to let means communicating with said second decomposition 
reiterate the inventive features of the device, a statement 10 chamber for allowing the decomposed hydrogen per- 
of operation will now be given. oxide to leave the chamber thus providing t'hrust, and 
Whenever supply container 53 has hydrogen peroxide first and second wire mesh catalyst bed means disposed 
stored therein, and valve means 51 is actuated to the within each of said first and second decomposition cham- 
open position, hydrogen peroxide will flow into inlet bers said first wire mesh catalyst bed means disposed in 
means 29 and thence through orifices 54 in tube 31. 15 scroll-like form about the radially directed recesses in 
Because of the positioning of orifices 54, the hydrogen order to effectively receive the radially directed flow of 
peroxide emerging therefrom will be directed radially hydrogen peroxide. 
outwardly towards the outer extremities of first decom- 2. The elongate hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit 
position chamber 15. set forth in claim 1, wherein said wire mesh scroll is 
Now, in the conventional unit of this type, wherein 20 radially disposed with its geometric center substantially 
the hydrogen peroxide is allowed to pass straight through coincident with the longitudinal axis of said elnit, and 
the catalyst bed to the outlet, when temperatures are rela- said catalyst bed means disposed in said second decom- 
tively low the hydrogen peroxide is not in contact with position chamber comprises a plurality of flat sheets of 
the catalyst for a sufficient length of time for full decom- metaliic wire mesh each extending transversely of said 
position to take place. 25 unit and being arranged longitudinally serially in said 
However, the present invention overcomes this short- second chamber. 
coming of the prior art. By directing the hydrogen per- 3. The elongate hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit 
oxide radially in the first decomposition chamber, it is set forth in claim 1, wherein said outlet means comprises 
possible to create an area of substantially stagnant, or a nozzle mounted adjacent one end of said unit. 
"dead-ended" fuel at the upstream end of scroll screen 30 4. A device for generating thrust by catalytically de- 
55, adjacent bulkhead 25, as the succeeding flow passes composing hydrogen peroxide and exhausting the prod- 
through the screen and out apertures 37. This stagnant ucts of decomposition thereof through a nozzle, com- 
hydrogen peroxide remains in contact with the catalyst prising: a generally cylindrical decomposition unit; a 
screen for a sufficient period to decompose. Tbe heat bulkhead closing one end of said unit; hydrogen per- 
of decomposition increases the local temperature, and 35 oxide supply container means; valved means communi- 
then, due to the thermal conductivity of the wire screen, cating with said supply means; inlet means communicat- 
heats the entire chamber. This process is accelerated if ing with said valved means, said inlet means comprising 
the samarium nitrate-treated silver, aforementioned, is inlet tube means extending through said bulkhead and 
utilized, silver being a good conductor of heat. longitudinally within said unit, and manifold plate means 
As first chamber 15 becomes heated, more and more 40 mounted on said inlet tube means and extending trans- 
of the hydrogen peroxide entering is decomposed, giving versely across said unit, said manifold plaie means and 
off more heat. Accordingly, the chamber begins to serve bullshead forming a first generally cylindrical chamber 
as a "pre-heater," serving to warm that portion of the therebetween; there being a plurality of radially directed 
flow which is not decomposed, and, thus aiding decom- orifices in said inlet tube, whereby hydrogen peroxide flow- 
position in second chamber 19, as the flow progresses 45 ing from said supply container through said valved means 
through bed 59. to said inlet means is dispersed radially within said first 
Finally, the decomposed hydrogen peroxide, now in the decomposition chamber; a distributor plate mounted with- 
form of superheated steam and oxygen, passes through in said unit and spaced longitudinally from said manifold 
distributor plate 43 to nozzle 49, thus generating thrust. plate, thus forming a second decomposition chamber; 
Thus it can be readily seen that it is the substantial 50 means forming apertures in said manifold plate, providing 
stagnation, o r  "dead-ending," of a portion of the flow longitudinal communication between said first and second 
in a portion of a first chamber, and utilizing the heat decomposition chambers; means forming apertures in said 
of decomposition of the stagnant hydrogen peroxide to distributor plate for exhaust from said second decomposi- 
raise the temperature of the chamber, which provides tion chamber; a converging-diverging nozzle mounted ad- 
the improved performance attendanit to the present in- 55 jacent the end of said unit opposite the aforementioned 
vention. end; and first and second catalyst bed means disposed 
While the exact Aow rate for fuel through supply sys- within said first and second decomposition chambers said 
tem 13 may be chosen for specific applications, a "bed- first catalyst bed means formed of a scroll-shaped wire 
loading factor," or ratio of pounds of propellant flow mesh screening which is disposed about said radially 
per minute to the cross-sectional area of the catalyst bed 60 directed orifice of said inlet tube and which is chemically 
in square inches, of approximately 10 has been found activated upon contact with the radially dispersed hydro- 
to give good results. gen peroxide. 
It is t o  be understood that suitable seal rings, packings 5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said wire 
and the like may be utilized to prevent leakage around mesh screen is treated with samarium nitrate. 
the various structural jointures hereinbefore mentioned. 65 6. An elongate hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit 
The size of unit 11 may vary in particular applications, comprising: a bulkhead having a recess therein and a 
but units having overall diameters of less than two inches manifold sealing said recess and forming a first preheat 
may be constructed. decomposition chamber extending longitudinally within 
Obviously many modifications and variations of the said unit, inlet means within said first preheat decom- 
present invention are possible in the light of the above 70 position chamber for introducing hydrogen peroxide trans- 
teachings. I t  is therefore t o  be understood that, within versely of said unit comprising an inlet tube extending 
the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be longitudinally within said unit, said inlet tube having a 
practiced other than as specifically described. plurality of radially directed orifices; a second decom- 
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by position chamber extending longitudinally within said 
Letters Patent of the United States is: 75 unit, said manifold having means for establishing Ruid 
3,135,089 
5 6 
communication between said first and second decomposi- munication between said first and second decomposition 
tion chambers, outlet nlezns communicating with said chambers, outlet means communicating with said second 
second decomposition chamber, and first and second wire ldecomposition chamber, a i d  wire mesh catalyst bed 
mesh catalyst bed means disposed respectively within each means disposed within eech of said first and second de- 
of said first and second decon~position chambers, said first 5 composition chambers, said wire mesh catalyst bed means 
wire mesh catalyst bed means formed in a scrdl-like formed of samarium nitrate-treated silver. 
shzpe and disposed around the longitudinal axis of the 
unit so as to evenly receive the hydrogen peroxide from References Cited in the file of this patent 
said radially directed recesses and thus preheat said &st UNITED STATES PATENTS 
decomposition chamber. 10 
7. An elongate hydrogen peroxide decomposition unit, 
oomprising means defining first and second decomposi- 
tion chambers arranged longit~~dinally within said unit, 
inlet means for introducing hydrogen peroxide trans- 
versely of said unit within said first decomposition cham- 15 
ber, manifold means for establishing longitudinal com- 
Maisner -------------- Aug. 11, 1953 
Schad ----------------- Oct. 25, 1955 
Lane et el. ------------ Dec. 23, 1958 
Halford et  al. ---------- May 19, 1959 
Plescia et al. ---------- Mar. 29, 1950 
Newburn -------------- May 28, 1963 


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