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:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2000
Patrick E. Frye, Simi Vally, CA (US);
Joseph P. Carroll, Moorpark, CA (US);
James M. Shoji, Calabasas, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.