Electrothermal thruster
US4169351A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1977 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02K44/02
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrothermal thruster includes an electrical heater comprising a copper pipe surrounded by a co-axial tubular copper jacket, and a resistance heated chamber cooperating to heat and decompose liquid fuel which flows into the pipe to effect a gaseous discharge through a propelling nozzle. The jacket has a closed end soldered to the pipe which is supported from the open end by wires. The pipe, jacket and wires constitute the secondary winding of a transformer. The primary winding is of toroidal form round an annular core disposed co-axially about the pipe within the jacket. Induced current in the secondary causes heating of the pipe in turn heating fluid therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.