Colloid thruster and method
US9638178B1 · kind B1 · utility
4Cited by
8References
30Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/413
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ion electrospray device with a porous reservoir and at least one porous emitter includes a porous compliant interface sandwiched between the porous reservoir and the porous emitter for transferring fluid from the porous reservoir to the porous emitter. The interface has a characteristic capillary pressure stronger than the characteristic capillary pressure of the porous reservoir to fill the porous emitter with fluid via a fluid injection section of the interface and before the porous reservoir is then partially filled with fluid. Emitter leakage and propellant bridging problems are addressed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.