IP Library Granted Patent US 8,572,945
Granted Patent B2
US 8,572,945 · App. 12/578,404 · Granted Nov 5, 2013

High voltage multiple phase power supply

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,572,945
App. No.
12/578,404
Granted
Nov 5, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

To explore deeper expanses of space, rocket ships need rockets that can last twice as long as conventional rockets. Modern rockets use the electric field to attract and accelerate charged particles out and away from the combustion chamber. Space qualified components to increase the electric field are difficult to obtain. Various embodiments of the present subject matter use multiple phases of an input signal into the power supply to cause the output DC voltage signal to be substantially smooth. These smoother signals reduce the voltage requirements of the output diodes and capacitors thereby making them easier to obtain.

Claims (5)

1. A circuit for powering an electric rocket, comprising: a set of anodes and cathodes adjacent a combustion chamber of the electric rocket; multiple phase inverter stages for generating multiple phase square wave signals; a multiple phase resonant network for receiving the square wave signals with multiple phases for generating sinusoidal signals with multiple phases; and multiple phase rectifier stages for receiving the sinusoidal signals with multiple phases and further for generating a DC voltage output signal to power the set of anodes and cathodes to provide particle acceleration and a propulsive force for the electric rocket.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the multiple phase inverter stages include sets of inverters formed from power transistors configured in a totem pole arrangement.

3. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the multiple phase resonant network includes sets of series resonant circuits for limiting transferred power.

4. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the multiple phase resonant network includes transformers for isolating DC components and stepping up a voltage.

5. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the multiple phase resonant network includes sets of parallel resonant circuits for limiting transferred power.

Assignments (7)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 28, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS SUCCESSOR AGENT TO WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.), AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 064424/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2016
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC. (F/K/A AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 039594/0887 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) Recorded Jun 20, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE RESIGNING AGENT
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 039079/0857 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 9, 2013
From: AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 030762/0284 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 21, 2013
From: AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030656/0667 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 27, 2012
From: AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOICATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 027603/0556 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2010
From: DRUMMOND, GEOFFREY N.; MONHEISER, JEFFERY M.
To: AEROJET-GENERAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023904/0749 →