Circular mass accelerator
US10059472B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B3/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mass acceleration system for launching objects, such as a projectile or launch vehicle, via rotational acceleration is disclosed. The system may comprise a chamber maintained at near vacuum pressure, a motor that rotates a hub attached to a tethered projectile in a circular motion inside the vacuum chamber, accelerating the projectile until the projectile reaches a desired launch speed. The projectile may be released from the tether upon reaching the desired launch speed and may exit the chamber through an exit port that is opened briefly to allow the projectile to exit. In various embodiments, the circular mass acceleration system can be used to launch a projectile into space orbit. By employing rotational acceleration via a mechanical approach, the acceleration system provides a cost-effective reusable system for launching objects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.