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 Title: |
US5813217:
Ion beam thrust method
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Beall, James C.; Tucson, AZ 85735
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1998-09-29
/ 1996-04-05
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| Application Number: |
US1996000627360
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B64G 1/40;
F03H 1/00;
B64G 1/10;
Core:
B64G 1/22;
B64G 1/00;
more...
IPC-7:
B64G 1/00;
H05H 1/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
B64G1/40D; B64G1/40Z; F03H1/00;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
060/202;
060/203.1;
244/169;
244/171.1;
Original:
060/202;
244/172;
244/169;
060/203.1;
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| Field of Search: |
060/202,203.1,200.1,204,228
244/158,169,172
315/111.81
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| Priority Number: |
| 1996-04-05 |
US1996000627360 |
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| Abstract: |
A method for providing thrust to a space borne vehicle uses an ion beam current to deliver a continuous stream of mass to the vehicle. The mass stream is decelerated thereby transferring its momentum to the vehicle as thrust. The vehicle reaccelerates the mass stream projecting it back to it origin, and thus receives further thrust in reaction to the departing mass stream. The mass stream may be set up between two particle beam accelerators so that thrust is realized by both accelerators, or the beam may be merely received continuously by one accelerator. In both cases the thrust may be used for deep space acceleration to high velocities by a vehicle not carrying fuel or propellant and not near any natural energy source.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Gene Scott-Patent Law & Venture Group ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Thorpe, Timothy; Kim, Ted
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 4 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. An ion propulsion method for a first independent space borne PBA, and a second independent space borne PBA, the first and second PBA being on a common line of sight, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) generating a first collimated, linear ion beam with the first PBA;
- b) directing the first ion beam at the second PBA;
- d) capturing the first ion beam with the second PBA;
- e) generating a second ion beam at the second PBA;
- f) directing the second ion beam at the first PBA;
- g) capturing the second ion beam with the first PBA;
- h) repeating steps (a) through (g) intermittently or continuously;
- wherein the first and second ion beams move in parallel, spaced apart paths;
- whereby momentum transfer between the first ion beam and the second PBA and the second ion beam and the first PBA is converted to thrust on the first and second PBA driving said first and second PBA apart or slowing the mutual approach of said first and second PBA.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 2 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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