The Aerospace Corporation

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Robert Alan Hickman

Ralph W Tolino

Dual propellant electrothermal propulsion systems with a polar propellant and a non-polar propellant are disclosed. Such a system may be used for imparting high specific impulse momentum on a spacecraft. A thruster includes a microwave source operably coupled to a heating chamber. An injector mixes polar and non-polar propellants and a nozzle at one end of the heating chamber. The thruster raises the temperature of the mixed propellants that exit the heating chamber to expand in the nozzle to generate thrust.

Dual propellant microwave electrothermal propulsion systems

A system for imparting linear momentum transfer may include a catching mechanism of a target space vehicle and a tether that is configured to impart a linear momentum transfer from the tether to the target space vehicle. The tether may be fixedly or detachably connected to a Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle that maneuvers and potentially retrieves the tether. Alternatively, the tether may be separate from the KEST vehicle and may be retrieved by a suitable retrieving mechanism, such as a robotic arm.

System for imparting linear momentum transfer for higher orbital insertion

Methods of accelerating a target vehicle to a higher orbit via a Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle by way of a catching mechanism using one or more brakes on one or more associated tethers along which the braking mechanism traverses, accelerating the target vehicle into a higher orbit, potentially even beyond the Earth.

Methods of accelerating a target vehicle to a higher orbit via a kinetic energy storage and transfer (KEST) space vehicle

A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend.

Kinetic energy storage and transfer (KEST) space launch system

An energy generation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base, a sidewall enclosing a perimeter of the base to define a first volume, and a tube having a first end and a second end. The base includes a solar energy collection surface. The first end of the tube is disposed in the first volume adjacent the base, and the second end of the tube is disposed in a second volume outside of the first volume. The apparatus also includes a fluid flow initiator to initiate a flow of a fluid from the first volume to the second volume through the tube when the fluid in the first volume has been heated by the solar energy collection surface to generate a super-adiabatic lapse rate.

Energy generation apparatus and method

A system for removing sludge that may be deposited on a tube sheet of a steam generator. Headers are arranged at the elevation of the sludge to be removed establishing a circumferential fluid stream at that elevation. A fluid lance is moved along the line between the headers emitting a fluid jet perpendicular to the line of movement of the fluid lance at an elevation substantially corresponding to the level of sludge deposits. The fluid jet forces the sludge to the periphery of the tube sheet where the sludge is entrained in and carried away by the circumferential fluid stream.

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Palos Verdes Estates, CA, United States of America

Robert Alan Hickman