The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 2021
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2018
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
John Behrens, Torrance, CA (US);
Craig Alan Christy, Seal Beach, CA (US);
Andrew Ian Mactavish, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (US);
Kevin Nemeth, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method of supplying a receiving tank of a receiving spacecraft with a supply gas. The method includes coupling a second end of a transfer line in flow communication with the receiving tank. The transfer line extends from a first end to the second end. The first end is coupled to a transfer tank disposed on a supply spacecraft. The transfer tank holds a transfer quantity of the supply gas. The supply spacecraft includes a heating system coupled in thermal communication with the transfer tank and a transfer valve operatively coupled to the transfer line. The method also includes activating the heating system while the transfer valve is closed such that a pressure of the transfer quantity of the supply gas is increased. The method further includes opening the transfer valve, wherein a difference between the increased pressure of the supply gas in the transfer tank and a pressure in the receiving tank causes a portion of the transfer quantity of the supply gas to flow through the transfer line to the receiving tank.