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US 2026/0266271 A1Published application
System and method for increasing the kinetic energy of a directional plasma flow
OwnerRandell L. Millsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system providing at least one of propulsion and lift comprising a source of a molecular beam or jet, a plasma generator coupled to the source, a plasma chamber coupled to the source and to the plasma generator to maintain a hydrogen plasma comprising free electrons and H 3 + ions, a microwave generator, a horn antenna, and a negatively charged, repulsive electrode to repel received electrons that have absorbed microwaves in a directional manner and gained reactionless kinetic energy in a directional manner.
Claims20
A propulsion system comprising:
- a source configured to provide a molecular beam or jet of a working gas;
- a plasma generator coupled to the source and configured to ionize at least a portion of the working gas to produce a plasma comprising electrons and positive ions;
- a first plasma chamber coupled to the plasma generator, the first plasma chamber configured to receive and maintain the plasma;
- a first plasma channel fluidly coupled to the first plasma chamber, the first plasma channel defining a flow path along a longitudinal axis to form a plasma flow from the first plasma chamber through the first plasma channel;
- an electromagnetic radiation generator configured to generate microwave radiation;
- an antenna coupled to the electromagnetic radiation generator, the antenna disposed adjacent the first plasma channel and the antenna configured to irradiate the plasma flow in the plasma channel with the microwave radiation during a propagation of the plasma flow along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a braking element disposed downstream of the plasma channel and fluidly coupled to the plasma channel, the braking element configured to receive the plasma flow from the plasma channel.
5 more elements
A propulsion system comprising:
- a source configured to provide a working gas;
- a plasma generator coupled to the source, the plasma generator configured to receive the working gas and to ionize at least a portion of the working gas to produce a plasma comprising electrons and positive ions;
- a plasma chamber coupled to the plasma generator and configured to receive the plasma;
- a plasma channel coupled to the plasma chamber and configured to guide the plasma along a longitudinal axis;
- an electromagnetic radiation generator configured to generate microwave radiation;
- an antenna coupled to the electromagnetic radiation generator and positioned to direct the microwave radiation toward the plasma channel, the microwave radiation directed across the longitudinal axis;
- a microwave reflector disposed opposite the antenna across the plasma channel and positioned to reflect microwave radiation back toward the plasma channel such that the plasma is exposed to reflected microwave radiation during propagation through the plasma channel;
- and
- a downstream structure configured to receive the plasma exiting the plasma channel and to transmit a force to a supporting structure.
6 more elements
A propulsion system comprising:
- a source configured to provide a working gas;
- a plasma generator coupled to the source, the plasma generator configured to receive the working gas and to ionize at least a portion of the working gas to produce a plasma comprising electrons and positive ions;
- a plasma chamber coupled to the plasma generator and configured to receive and maintain the plasma;
- a plasma channel coupled to the plasma chamber and configured to guide at least electrons of the plasma along a longitudinal axis;
- an electromagnetic radiation generator configured to generate microwave radiation;
- an antenna coupled to the electromagnetic radiation generator and positioned to direct the microwave radiation toward the plasma channel to irradiate the electrons while propagating along the longitudinal axis;
- a first electrode disposed across the plasma channel, the first electrode comprising a grid configured to allow at least a portion of the electrons to pass through the first electrode;
- a second electrode disposed downstream of the first electrode along the longitudinal axis, the second electrode configured to generate an electrostatic field that decelerates electrons that pass through the first electrode;
- and
- a support structure mechanically coupled to at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode, the support structure configured to interact with the portion of the electrons that pass through the first electrode.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.