Railgun thruster
US5439191A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
14References
31Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0087
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A satellite thruster system capable of creating a high velocity plasma jet is disclosed. The plasma accelerator, or "railthruster," features a high energy current pulse source and a geometrically configured coaxial or parallel dual-rail ignitor system for higher velocity, and thus more fuel efficient, satellite attitude control. A ratio of a length of the railthruster to a spacing between the rails is at least 3:1.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.