US3159967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable thrust ion engine utilizing thermally decomposable solid fuel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1963-03-12
•
Granted: 1964-12-08
•
Expires: 1983-03-12
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:34
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03H; F03H1/00; F03H1/0006; F03H1/0012; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
AN ION ENGINE, COMPRISING: (A) AN ENCLOSURE, (1) SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING AN ORIFICE FORMED THEREIN; (B) A SOURCE OF SOLID PARTICLES; (C) MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLYIG SAID SOLID PARTICLES FROM SAID SOURCE INTO SAID ENCLOSURE: (D) HEAT PRODUCING MEANS ADAPTED TO HEAT SAID SOLID PARTICLES LOCATED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE THEREBY DECOMPOSING SAID SOLID PARTICLES INTO A GASEOUS VAPOR: (E) CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HEAT PRODUCING MEANS, (1) SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO CONTROL SAID HEAT PRODUCING MEANS FOR VARYING THE RATE AT WHICH SAID SOLID PARTICLES ARE DECOMPOSED THEREBY REGULATIG THE AMOUNT OF GASEOUS VAPOR BEING PRODUCED; (F) IONIZATION MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ORIFICE FOR RECEIVING SAID GASEOUS VAPOR FORMED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE, (1) SAID IONIZATION MEANS BEING ADAPTED FOR CONVERTING SAID GASEOUS VPOR INTO A SOURCE OF IONS; AND (G) ACCELERATION MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID IONIZATION MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND ACCELERATING SAID IONS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
AN ION ENGINE, COMPRISING: (A) AN ENCLOSURE, (1) SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING AN ORIFICE FORMED THEREIN; (B) A SOURCE OF SOLID PARTICLES; (C) MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLYIG SAID SOLID PARTICLES FROM SAID SOURCE INTO SAID ENCLOSURE: (D) HEAT PRODUCING MEANS ADAPTED TO HEAT SAID SOLID PARTICLES LOCATED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE THEREBY DECOMPOSING SAID SOLID PARTICLES INTO A GASEOUS VAPOR: (E) CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HEAT PRODUCING MEANS, (1) SAID CONTROL MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO CONTROL SAID HEAT PRODUCING MEANS FOR VARYING THE RATE AT WHICH SAID SOLID PARTICLES ARE DECOMPOSED THEREBY REGULATIG THE AMOUNT OF GASEOUS VAPOR BEING PRODUCED; (F) IONIZATION MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ORIFICE FOR RECEIVING SAID GASEOUS VAPOR FORMED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE, (1) SAID IONIZATION MEANS BEING ADAPTED FOR CONVERTING SAID GASEOUS VPOR INTO A SOURCE OF IONS; AND (G) ACCELERATION MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID IONIZATION MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND ACCELERATING SAID IONS.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1967-12-08 | 1968-06-08 | 1968-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1971-12-08 | 1972-06-08 | 1972-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1975-12-08 | 1976-06-08 | 1976-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |