US3756024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for coordinating propulsion in a single stage space flight
Assignee: General Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1962-02-23
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1982-02-23
Abstract
Abstract 1. A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth''s surface to a given altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a given period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said given period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said vehicle while storing a sufficient quantity of said liquid oxygen in said plane to facilitate space flight using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Inventors
- 👤 A Gay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:43
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/04; F25J3/04763; F25J3/04866; F25J3/04975; F25J3/04993; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/14; B64G1/22; B64G1/40; B64G1/401; B64G1/402; F25J3/04248; F25J3/04254; F25J3/0426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth''s surface to a given altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a given period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said given period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said vehicle while storing a sufficient quantity of said liquid oxygen in said plane to facilitate space flight, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth''s surface to a given altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a given period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said given period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said vehicle while storing a sufficient quantity of said liquid oxygen in said plane to facilitate space flight, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into sapce and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time and storing said liquid air in said plane in sufficient quantities to facilitate space flight, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid air and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane is space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth surface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into sapce and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time and storing said liquid air in said plane in sufficient quantities to facilitate space flight, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid air and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane is space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth surface.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the eaRth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane, and storing said liquid oxygen in said plane in sufficient quantities to facilitate space flight, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the eaRth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane, and storing said liquid oxygen in said plane in sufficient quantities to facilitate space flight, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a given maximum weight at take-off and has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time and storing said liquid air in said plane to an extent that the weight of said plane in this phase of flight exceeds said maximum weight at take-off, using said liquid air and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a given maximum weight at take-off and has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, collecting liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time and storing said liquid air in said plane to an extent that the weight of said plane in this phase of flight exceeds said maximum weight at take-off, using said liquid air and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a maximum weight at take-off and has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane through the nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine while storing said liquid oxygen in said plane to an extent that the weight of said plane in this phase of flight exceeds said maximum weight at take-off, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a maximum weight at take-off and has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane through the nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine while storing said liquid oxygen in said plane to an extent that the weight of said plane in this phase of flight exceeds said maximum weight at take-off, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprisIng the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, utilizing said fuel as coolant and fuel in said liquid air cycle engine, passing a portion of said fuel used as coolant in said liquid air cycle engine to said ramjet engines, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, utilizing said fuel as coolant in said separation, liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane, and storing said liquid oxygen in said plane, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprisIng the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to an altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, utilizing said fuel as coolant and fuel in said liquid air cycle engine, passing a portion of said fuel used as coolant in said liquid air cycle engine to said ramjet engines, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and liquid oxygen, utilizing said fuel as coolant in said separation, liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane, and storing said liquid oxygen in said plane, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
265 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to a given altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, utilizing said fuel as coolant and fuel in said liquid air cycle engine, passing a portion of said fuel used as coolant in said liquid air cycle engine to said ramjet engines, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a given period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said given period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and oxygen, utilizing said fuel as coolant in said separation, sub-cooling said oxygen to liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane through the nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine while storing said liquid oxygen in said plane, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
265 words
A method of propelling a space plane from the earth surface through the earth atmosphere into space and then return to the earth surface which plane has a liquid air cycle engine and ramjet engine propulsion system and which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer later collected from said atmosphere, comprising the steps of, propelling said plane from said earth surface to a given altitude and velocity in said atmosphere by said liquid air cycle engine propulsion, utilizing said fuel as coolant and fuel in said liquid air cycle engine, passing a portion of said fuel used as coolant in said liquid air cycle engine to said ramjet engines, propelling said plane at an increasing altitude and velocity for a given period of time by ramjet propulsion, utilizing the air collection system of said liquid air cycle engine to collect liquid air in said plane from said atmosphere during said given period of time, separating said liquid air into nitrogen and oxygen, utilizing said fuel as coolant in said separation, sub-cooling said oxygen to liquid oxygen, expelling said nitrogen from said plane through the nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine while storing said liquid oxygen in said plane, increasing the speed of said plane by ramjet propulsion after said liquid air is collected, using said liquid oxygen and said fuel in said nozzle of said liquid air cycle engine to propel said plane from said atmosphere into space by rocket propulsion, maneuvering said plane in space under said rocket propulsion, and flying said plane to said earth''s surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
a single stage propulsion system for propelling a space plane in a flight from the earth'' s surface through the earth''s atmosphere into space which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer collected from said atmosphere during said flight for said space portion of said flight comprising, a liquid air cycle engine having air intake means for collecting air, heat exchanger means for cooling said air, condenser means for cooling said air to substantially a liquid, tankage means for storing said substantially liquid air, said heat exchanger means and said condenser means utilizing passage of portions of said fuel therethrough for coolant, ramjet means for propelling said space plane and for utilizing said portions of said fuel passing through said heat exchanger in its operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
a single stage propulsion system for propelling a space plane in a flight from the earth'' s surface through the earth''s atmosphere into space which plane initially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer collected from said atmosphere during said flight for said space portion of said flight comprising, a liquid air cycle engine having air intake means for collecting air, heat exchanger means for cooling said air, condenser means for cooling said air to substantially a liquid, tankage means for storing said substantially liquid air, said heat exchanger means and said condenser means utilizing passage of portions of said fuel therethrough for coolant, ramjet means for propelling said space plane and for utilizing said portions of said fuel passing through said heat exchanger in its operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a single stage propulsion system for propelling a space plane in a flight from the earth''s surface through the earth''s atmosphere into space which plane intially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer collected from said atmosphere during said flight for said space portion of said flight comprising, a liquid air cycle engine having air intake means for collecting air, heat exchanger means for cooling said air, condenser means for cooling said air to substantially a liquid, separator means for separating said substantially liquid air into nitrogen and oxygen, tankage means for storing said oxygen, said heat exchanger Means and said condenser means utilizing passage of portions of said fuel therethrough for coolant, ramjet means for propelling said space plane and for utilizing said portions of said fuel passing through said heat exchanger in its operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a single stage propulsion system for propelling a space plane in a flight from the earth''s surface through the earth''s atmosphere into space which plane intially carries fuel having a very low temperature and utilizes oxidizer collected from said atmosphere during said flight for said space portion of said flight comprising, a liquid air cycle engine having air intake means for collecting air, heat exchanger means for cooling said air, condenser means for cooling said air to substantially a liquid, separator means for separating said substantially liquid air into nitrogen and oxygen, tankage means for storing said oxygen, said heat exchanger Means and said condenser means utilizing passage of portions of said fuel therethrough for coolant, ramjet means for propelling said space plane and for utilizing said portions of said fuel passing through said heat exchanger in its operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |