US 9,581,021 B2Granted

System for extraction of volatiles from planetary bodies using microwave and RF processes

OwnerEdwin Ethridgeinventor

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Abstract

A system for extraction of volatiles from bodies in a vacuum. The volatile containing solid may be subsurface heated with microwave or RF energy subliming volatiles that are captured with a containment structure that directs the flow of the volatile through a cold trap for collecting and condensing the volatile. In one variation, a sample, or an entire body may be enveloped in a sealed container for extraction of volatiles that are then collected and condensed. In a further variation, a planetary surface area is covered and the perimeter sealed at the surface. The area is then heated from above to release volatiles that are then collected and condensed. To heat layers below the surface that contain high concentrations of volatiles, a hollow auger can gain access to the subsurface volatile and microwave or RF energy can be delivered down the hollow auger with a coax cable and vapor can escape through the hollow auger to a capture apparatus.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A system for extracting and collecting a volatile substance from a volatiles containing in-space body, said in-space body being a planet, an asteroid, a comet, a moon or other natural extra-terrestrial object;

said in-space body having a surface;
said system comprising:
an electromagnetic energy source for producing electromagnetic energy;
an antenna coupled to said electromagnetic energy source for receiving said electromagnetic energy;
said antenna configured for disposition above a contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body and external to said in-space body,
said antenna being a directional antenna configured for directing said electromagnetic energy toward said in-space body for heating at least a portion of said in-space body to convert said volatile substance to vapor;
a containment member;
said containment member disposed to cover said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body;
said containment member in contact with said surface around a periphery of said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body;
said containment member forming a seal sufficient to maintain a positive pressure of said vapor within said containment member;
said containment member configured to direct said vapor for collection;
and
a condensation unit coupled to said containment member and configured for receiving said vapor from said containment member;
said condensation unit configured for condensing said vapor for concentration and storage of said volatile substance;
the system further including a sealing device comprising a planar flange on said containment member surrounding a radiating exit aperture in said containment member, said radiating exit aperture for passing said electromagnetic energy, said planar flange for contacting said surface to form a seal between said containment member and said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body.

12 more elements

A system for extracting and collecting a volatile substance from a volatiles containing in-space body, said in-space body being a planetoid, an asteroid, a comet, a moon or other natural extra-terrestrial object;

said in-space body having a surface;
said system comprising:
an electromagnetic energy source for producing electromagnetic energy;
an antenna coupled to said electromagnetic energy source for receiving said electromagnetic energy;
said antenna configured for disposition external to said in-space body;
said antenna being a directional antenna configured for directing said electromagnetic energy toward and into said in-space body for heating at least a portion of said in-space body to convert said volatile substance to vapor;
a containment member;
said containment member disposed external to said in-space body for containing said vapor released by said in-space body through said surface of said in-space body;
said containment member configured to enclose the entirety of said volatiles containing in-space body;
said containment member forming a seal sufficient to maintain a positive pressure of said vapor within said containment member;
said containment member comprising a reclosable sealing mechanism;
and
a condensation unit coupled to said containment member and configured for receiving said vapor from said containment member;
said condensation unit configured for condensing said vapor for concentration and storage of said volatile substance.

11 more elements

A system for extracting and collecting a volatile substance from a volatile containing in-space body, said in-space body being a planet, an asteroid, a comet, a moon or other natural extra-terrestrial object;

said in-space body having a surface;
said system comprising:
an electromagnetic energy source for producing electromagnetic energy;
an antenna coupled to said electromagnetic energy source through an electromagnetic energy delivery component, said antenna for receiving said electromagnetic energy and delivering said electromagnetic energy to said volatile containing in-space body;
an auger drive apparatus coupled to an auger;
said auger comprising a hollow shank and a spiral blade around said hollow shank;
said antenna receiving said electromagnetic energy through said hollow shank of said auger;
said auger configured to penetrate regolith of said in-space body and deliver the electromagnetic delivery component into the regolith without first drilling a hole and then inserting the electromagnetic delivery component into the regolith;
said auger configured to deliver said electromagnetic energy into the regolith to provide subsurface heating;
said auger hollow shank forming a volatiles containment member configured to receive said volatile substance from said volatile containing in-space body and communicate said volatile substance through said hollow shaft of said auger;
said auger hollow shank having a gas permeable plug capable of permitting flow of external vapor into said auger hollow shank while blocking entry of regolith;
and
a condensation apparatus coupled to said auger to receive said volatile substance from said auger, said condensation apparatus for condensing said volatile substance for concentration and storage of said volatile substance.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/744,003Filed 18 Jun 2015 · us provisional application
Priority: 22 Jul 2014
Published: US 2016/0024921 A128 Jan 2016
Granted: 28 Feb 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

E21C 51/00
Apparatus for, or methods of, winning materials from extraterrestrial sources
B23B 51/08
Tools for drilling machines: drills combined with tool parts or tools for performing additional working
H05B 6/702
Feed lines: using coaxial cables
H05B 6/707
Feed lines: using waveguides