PLASMA PROPELLANT ABLATION/SUBLIMATION BASED SYSTEMS

• Main Authors: Clark Steven D, Barsun H. Fred, Deshpande Nishkamraj U
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 06.10.2016
• Subjects: BLASTING; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS

Systems and methods for improving plasma propellant ablation/sublimation based systems are provided. One set of embodiments provides systems and methods for reducing carbon charring during plasma system (e.g., a plasma coating application system) propellant (e.g., a carbon-fluorine polymer) ablation and increasing heat transfer, ablation, and plasma thrust from plasma systems. In particular, one embodiment can include using a nano or micro-sized magnetic or electromagnetic field responsive material as particulates or microcapsules that are intermixed with polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon®) nano-fibers, and using resulting fiber composites as the propellant material. Embodiments can include improved plasma system, e.g., pulsed plasma thrusters, plasma torches, plasma coating systems, etc, as well as nozzle improvements such as embodiments with magnetic structures disposed in relation to the nozzle. Alternative embodiments also include recovery and reuse systems.