Power plants – Reaction motor – Ion motor
Reexamination Certificate
2007-09-10
2010-11-09
Cuff, Michael (Department: 3741)
Power plants
Reaction motor
Ion motor
C313S360100, C313S361100, C315S111810
Reexamination Certificate
active
07827779
ABSTRACT:
A Liquid Metal Ion Thruster (LMIT) has a substrate having a plurality of pedestals, one end of the pedestal attached to the substrate, and the opposing end of the pedestal having a tip, the pedestals having grooves and the substrate also having grooves coupled to each other and to a source of liquid metal. An extractor electrode positioned parallel to the substrate and above the pedestal tips provides an electrostatic extraction field sufficient to accelerate ions from the tips of the pedestals through the extractor electrode. A series of focusing electrodes with matching apertures provides a flow of substantially parallel ion trajectories, and an optional negative ion source provides a charge neutralization to prevent space charge spreading of the exiting accelerated ions. The assembly is suitable for providing thrust for a satellite while maintaining high operating efficiencies.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3311772 (1967-03-01), Speiser et al.
patent: 4328667 (1982-05-01), Valentian et al.
patent: 4367429 (1983-01-01), Wang et al.
patent: 4453078 (1984-06-01), Shimizu
patent: 4577461 (1986-03-01), Cann
patent: 4680507 (1987-07-01), Uemura et al.
patent: 5924277 (1999-07-01), Beattie et al.
patent: 5973447 (1999-10-01), Mahoney et al.
patent: 6097139 (2000-08-01), Tuck et al.
patent: 6337540 (2002-01-01), Corbin et al.
patent: 6516604 (2003-02-01), Mojarradi et al.
patent: 6531811 (2003-03-01), Kudo et al.
patent: 6656831 (2003-12-01), Lee et al.
patent: 6738952 (2004-05-01), Yamamuro
patent: 6741025 (2004-05-01), Tuck et al.
patent: 6996972 (2006-02-01), Song
patent: 7059111 (2006-06-01), King
patent: 7405411 (2008-07-01), Walton
patent: 7420181 (2008-09-01), Kaga et al.
patent: 7696489 (2010-04-01), Pilz et al.
patent: 2009/0278434 (2009-11-01), Holland et al.
Swanson and Li, “Influence of Electrode Geometry on Liquid Metal Ion Source Performance”, J. Vacuum Sci Tech, Jul./Au. 1988 p. 1062-1065.
Bell & Swanson, “Influence of Substrate Geometry on the Emission Properties of a Liquid Metal Ion Source”, Applied Physics Solids & Surfaces, 1986, 335-346.
Thompson & Plewett, “Dynamics of Liquid Metal Ion Sources”, J. Physics Applied Physics, 1984, 2305-2321.
L.W. Swanson, Liquid Metal Ion Sources, Mechanisms & Applications, Nuclear Inst. & Methods in Phys Research, 1983, 347-353.
A. Wagner, The Hydrodynamics of Liquid Metal Ion Sources, Applied Phys Letters 40(5), Mar. 1, 1982, p. 440-442.
A. Wagner “Liquid Gold Ion Sources”, J. Vacuum Sci Tech, 16(6) Nov./Dec. 1979 p. 1871-1874.
Champagne Kelan
Gerhan Andrew N.
Krishnan Mahadevan
Wilson Kristi
Wright Jason D.
Alameda Applied Sciences Corp.
Chesavage Jay A.
Cuff Michael
File-EE-Patents.com
Wongwian Phutthiwat
LandOfFree
Liquid metal ion thruster array does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Liquid metal ion thruster array, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Liquid metal ion thruster array will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4244797