Energy Source using Atomic Species
AssigneePerriQuest Defense Research Enterprises, LLC
InventorsNicholas V. Perricone, Kurt Rauschenbach, Matthew Partlow
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Abstract
A plasma engine includes a plasma source that generates ions from molecular gas species received at a gas input where at least some of the ions generated are atomic species ions. An ion extractor is configured to extract ions from the plasma source with an electric field. A housing comprising a recombination region receives ions extracted from the ion extractor. At least some of the atomic species ions recombine into molecular species in the housing, thereby releasing energy for thrust.
Claims33
A plasma engine using reactive species, the plasma engine comprising:
- a) a plasma source having gas input for receiving molecular gas species and an output port, the plasma source generating ions from the received molecular gas species, wherein at least some of the ions generated are atomic species ions;
- b) an ion extractor configured to extract ions from the plasma source with an electric field;
- and
- c) a housing comprising a recombination region that receives ions extracted from the ion extractor, wherein at least some of the atomic species ions recombine into molecular species, thereby releasing energy for thrust.
A method for generating thrust, the method comprising:
- a) providing a molecular gas species to a plasma source;
- b) generating ions in the plasma source from the molecular gas species wherein at least some of the ions generated are atomic species ions;
- c) extracting the generated ions from the plasma source with an electric field;
- and
- d) recombining atomic ions and neutrals species into molecular species thereby releasing energy for thrust in a housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.