ThermaSat solar thermal propulsion system
AssigneeThermaSat Inc.
InventorsTroy Michael Howe, Steven Daniel Howe, Jack R. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
ThermaSat™ propulsion system uses water as a safe and non-explosive propellant, and which is unpressurized at liftoff. Utilizing solar thermal propulsion, the compact and efficient capacitor heats water to steam to produce high thrust and total impulse. The advanced optical system allows for the thermal capacitor to charge through solar power alone with no protruding concentrators or power draw from the main bus. Additional solar panels, body mounted to the ThermaSat, provide auxiliary heating of the thermal capacitor when not directly incident to sunlight to promote non-sun pointing operations.
Claims20
A propulsion system comprising:
- an optical transmission system comprising at least two layers with the at least two layers comprising:
- selective transmitters, or
- at least one selective transmitter and at least one selective absorber, or
- selective absorbers;
- a phase change material thermal capacitor for storing absorbed heat from light which passes through the optical transmission system;
- wherein the at least two layers prevent long wavelengths of light from passing through the optical transmission system while allowing shorter wavelengths to pass through the optical transmission system;
- wherein the at least one absorber or the selective absorbers comprise photonic crystals that increase temperature through photonic emission restrictions;
- wherein the propulsion system is operable without requiring a solar concentrator or solar dish collector.
A propulsion system comprising:
- an optical transmission system comprising:
- optical filters;
- photonic crystals;
- a first phase changing thermal capacitor;
- a first propellant fluid;
- wherein the photonic crystals capture solar thermal radiation and transport absorbed heat to a second phase changing thermal capacitor through conductive contact, which then transports heat to a second propellant fluid through convection;
- wherein the optical transmission system does not include a concentrator.
A propulsion system comprising:
- an optical transmission system comprising:
- optical filters;
- photonic crystals;
- wherein the photonic crystals capture solar thermal radiation a phase changing thermal capacitor;
- wherein the optical transmission system does not include a concentrator;
- wherein water or other propellant is heated to create propulsion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.