Spacecraft propulsion devices and systems with microwave excitation
US10910198B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/44
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thruster system for use in a spacecraft includes a microwave source, a resonant cavity coupled to the microwave source, wherein the microwave source is configured to generate a standing wave field in the resonant cavity, a nozzle provided at one end of the resonant cavity; and at least one injector configured to inject propellant into the resonant cavity so as to create a rotating circumferential flow. The standing wave field raises a temperature of the injected propellant to provide thrust by way of a hot gas exiting the resonant cavity via the nozzle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.