Bwx Technologies, Inc.

The Babcock & Wilcox Company

Kurt Ogg Westerman

Richard Vail DeMars

Barry Gene Miller

John Dexter Malloy, Iii

Richard Forsythe Rochow

Barry John Miles

A thermal solar rocket that includes a solar energy receiver having two sections (a thermal energy storage section and a direct gain section), a solar concentrator, and a propulsion nozzle. In one embodiment, the focus of the solar energy between the storage section and the direct gain section is controlled by mechanical means such as movable insulation. In another embodiment, the focus of the solar energy between the storage section and the direct gain section is controlled by an optical switch in the form of relative motion between the solar concentrator and the solar energy receiver.

Solar thermal rocket

A solar thermal rocket that includes a thermal energy storage section, a radiant inter-heater, a primary solar concentrator, and a propulsion nozzle. The primary solar concentrator is selectively movable to direct solar energy to either the thermal energy storage section or to the radiant inter-heater. The thermal energy storage section, along with insulation, is arranged to define a cavity such that a focused beam of solar rays can enter the cavity through an aperture in the insulation. The thermal energy storage section typically absorbs and stores solar energy during the non-propulsion portion of the orbital period. The solar rays are captured and absorbed and thereby heat the thermal energy storage section to very high temperatures. A radiant inter-heater directly receives concentrated solar rays and transfers the heat to the propellant during the propulsion phase. The propellant heated by the inter-heater is directed through the thermal energy storage section where it is further heated to its peak temperature and then expelled through the nozzle to produce thrust. With the inter-heater, the rate of heat extraction from the thermal energy storage section is reduced, prolonging the period of peak propellant temperature, resulting in an overall higher average specific impulse.

A thermionic reactor for providing electrical power and propulsion power. A reactor vessel has a plurality of thermionic heat pipe modules located therein and spaced apart on a hexagonal pitch. Nuclear fuel elements are positioned in the spaces between the thermionic heat pipe modules. Insulating material is provided between the reactor vessel and the array of thermionic heat pipe modules and nuclear fuel elements. Propulsion power is provided by a propellant storage tank and propellant nozzle in fluid communication with opposite ends of the reactor vessel. The thermionic heat pipe modules serve to produce electricity and aid in removal of waste heat.

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Forest, VA, United States of America

Kurt Ogg Westerman