The expander cycle is a power cycle of a bipropellant rocket engine. In this cycle, the fuel is used to cool the engine's combustion chamber, picking up heat and changing phase. The now heated and gaseous fuel then powers the turbine that drives the engine's fuel and oxidizer pumps before being injected into the combustion chamber and burned.

2014年3月24日 · Above is a Microsoft PowerPoint masterpiece illustrating the Closed Expander Cycle rocket engine. Fuel and oxidizer come in from the stage and are put through pumps to raise their pressure. On the fuel side, the pump discharge is routed through the main fuel valve (MFV) to the nozzle and the main combustion chamber (MCC) cooling jackets.

2022年4月28日 · Some examples of engines using the expander cycle are the Vinci engine that will power the upper stage of the upcoming Ariane 6, the RL-10 engine that powers the upper stage of the Atlas V, and a variant that powers the Delta …

Expander cycle engines take a unique approach to power their turbo pumps. Instead of relying on a dedicated gas generator, they use the heat generated within the engine itself. Specifically, they exploit the cryogenic nature of their propellants — liquid …

2024年3月21日 · An expander cycle is a type of rocket engine cycle that is used to power spacecraft and launch vehicles. It is known for its efficiency and simplicity compared to other propulsion systems. The expander cycle works by utilizing the waste heat from the combustion process to drive a turbine, which in turn powers the engine’s pumps.

Expander-cycle engines are the primary propulsion can-didates for orbital transfer missions. The advantages of an expander-cycle engine are good specific impulse, engine simplicity, and relatively low weight (ref. 1). For a topping cycle, such as the expander cycle, however, the fuel-pump discharge pressure is much higher than that for a bleed ...

2021年6月13日 · Further performance improvement results from its high expansion ratio and regenerative operating cycle, eliminating the need for a gas generator; this is known as an expander cycle engine. The RL10 is capable multiple starts and can coast in …

The expander cycle is a power cycle of a bipropellant rocket engine meant to improve the efficiency of fuel delivery. In an expander cycle, the fuel is heated before it is combusted, usually with waste heat from the main combustion chamber.

The expander cycle, as demonstrated by the RL-10 engine, stands as a viable option, but it has limitations on thrust output levels, making it less suitable for use in sea-level engines. Ultimately, the quest for the perfect rocket engine cycle remains ongoing , driven by the pursuit of enhanced performance, reliability, and efficiency in the ...

Launcher studies have shown clearly the need for a versatile, high-performance, cryogenic upper stage engine capable of delivering payloads to all kinds of orbits, ranging from low Earth orbit to exploration missions in deep space.