The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 05, 2019
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2016
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Frederick B. Koehler, Tucson, AZ (US);
Jeremy C. Danforth, Tucson, AZ (US);
Ward D. Lyman, Tucson, AZ (US);
Mark T. Langhenry, Tucson, AZ (US);
Matt H. Summers, Marana, AZ (US);
Paul E. Pontius, Highlands Ranch, CO (US);
Brian M. Pape, Aurora, CO (US);
Jared D. Stallings, Denver, CO (US);
James K. Villarreal, Tuscon, AZ (US);
Thomas Villarreal, Tucson, AZ (US);
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
A satellite has thrusters that are integral parts of its frame. The frame defines cavities therein where thrusters are located. The thrusters may include an electrically-operated propellant and electrodes to activate combustion in the electrically-operated propellant. The frame may be additively manufactured, and the propellant and/or the electrodes may also be additively manufactured, with the frame and the propellant and/or the electrodes also being manufactured in a single process. In addition the thrusters may have nozzle portions through which combustion gases exit the thrusters. The thrusters may be located at corners and/or along edges of the frame, and may be used to accomplish any of a variety of maneuvers for the satellite. The satellite may be a small satellite, such as a CubeSat satellite, for instance having a volume of about 1 liter, and a mass of no more than about 1.33 kg.