Flexible propulsion system
US10336475B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/413
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft propulsion system includes at least one chemical thruster operable with a liquid propellant, at least one electric thruster operable with an inert gas, and a first quantity ‘n’ of pressurant tanks, each of the ‘n’ pressurant tanks having a substantially identical volume. The propulsion system results from assembling a plurality of subassemblies, such that a first selectable number ‘e’ of the first quantity of pressurant tanks are manifolded together with the at least one electric thruster, and a second selectable number ‘c’ of the first quantity of pressurant tanks are manifolded together with the at least one chemical thruster. The first selectable number ‘e’ is an integer in the inclusive range of 1 to ‘n’, and c=n−e.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.