Compact plasma thruster
US11828273B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2018 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0093
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to certain aspects, an electric-propulsion thruster is used as part of a base or platform which also includes a power converter, having a plurality of inductors and other electrical components, and a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a layer at which the other electrical components and printed circuit inductor traces, for the plurality of inductors, are secured. The electric-propulsion thruster includes a housing (e.g., as part of the base or platform) providing a cavity and having at least one structurally-rigid side wall along the cavity, where the PCB is integrated with the electric-propulsion thruster for a compact arrangement which can be used to propel the apparatus. Such a compact design might be used as an important part of thruster spacecraft architecture such as micro-satellites (e.g., CubeSats).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.