MULTIPLE-USE NUCLEAR ROCKET ENGINE Russian patent published in 2021 - IPC F02K99/00 G21C1/00 G21D1/00 

FIELD: rocket engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of rocket engineering, namely to rocket engines with a nuclear working fluid heating source - a nuclear reactor (NRE). The multiple-use nuclear rocket engine includes a nuclear reactor enclosed in a carrier body with a layer of inner radiation protection. A supersonic nozzle, a turbine pump unit operating on the working body removed from the cooling channels of the nuclear reactor structure, on-board electric generators and orientation engines with own mini pumps are connected to the body of the nuclear reactor. A truss structure is fixed on the body of the reactor, with the working fluid tanks and control systems located therein. The engine comprises a path for removal of the afterheat from the reactor, fixed on one side on the body of the nuclear reactor and on the other, on the truss structure. The path includes a circuit with a liquid metal heat carrier, containing an electromagnetic pump, a compensation tank, heat-emitting panels, a plate evaporator heat exchanger. A docking unit with a payload, containing a working fluid pumping unit, control rod drives, a tank with an emergency working fluid reserve, a plate-type working fluid evaporator heat exchanger also constituting a heavy component of a shadow shield, a nuclear reactor with screw fuel rods made of modified uranium oxide are fixed on the truss structure. The body of the reactor has a shell with external ribs coated with a material with a high radiation coefficient (ε>0.95), installed with a gap for the passage of a liquid metal heat carrier.

EFFECT: repeat operation of the NRE in space is ensured upon implementation of the claimed invention.

3 cl, 1 dwg