Patent · US Active

Ion drive for a spacecraft

US9060412B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by

7References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

ASTRIUM GMBH · DE

Inventors

Hans Leiter · Oedheim, DE
Johann Mueller · Affoltern am Albis, CH
Horst Neumann · Ludwigshafen, DE
Frank Scholze · Brandis, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 11, 2009
Grant date	Jun 16, 2015
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 9, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64G1/428
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An ion drive for a spacecraft, including a high-frequency generator for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for the ionization of a propellant and an acceleration system for the charge carriers, is provided. The ion drive includes a voltage source with which the high voltages that are necessary for the acceleration system can be derived from the currents and/or voltages generated by the high-frequency generator for generating the alternating electromagnetic field.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.