TOROIDAL TANK Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: rocketry; propellant system of launch vehicles. SUBSTANCE: tank includes upper and lower hermetic propellant reservoirs which are equipped with locking unit for coupling the cryogenic stage with launch vehicle (from below). Reservoirs have common intermediate bottom and single inner and outer shells. Upper reservoir which is coupled with payload at the top is provided with inner load-bearing taper envelope which is mounted inside reservoir and is secured to upper frame of this reservoir. Lower edge of envelope is secured to outer frame of intermediate bottom. Upper joint is coupled to inner shell of upper reservoir and lower joint is coupled to outer shell of lower reservoir. EFFECT: reduced mass of tanks; wide range of equipment used for making tank compartments. 1 dwg