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.

Date of Patent:
May. 19, 2026

Filed:

Feb. 24, 2023
Applicant:

Standard Nuclear, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (US);

Inventor:

Christopher Morrison, Seattle, WA (US);

Assignee:

Standard Nuclear, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/22 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/42 (2006.01); B64G 1/44 (2006.01); B64G 1/54 (2006.01); F03H 99/00 (2009.01); G21D 1/00 (2006.01); G21F 3/00 (2006.01); G21F 5/015 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G21F 3/00 (2013.01); B64G 1/2229 (2023.08); B64G 1/409 (2013.01); B64G 1/422 (2013.01); B64G 1/44 (2013.01); B64G 1/54 (2013.01); F03H 99/00 (2013.01); G21D 1/00 (2013.01); G21F 5/015 (2013.01);
Abstract

Radioisotope power system and propulsion system technologies to increase the energy efficiency, mass efficiency, and duration capability of a vehicle during operation. A radioisotope power system includes a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles and is configured to directly or indirectly provide power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of a vehicle. The radioisotope power system can further include a thermoelectric generator coupled to the radioisotope power unit and configured for coupling to at least one thruster. The radioisotope power system can further include an optional radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power unit can include one or more radioisotopes. The one or more radioisotopes can include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof.


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