Patents by Inventor Max E. Light

Max E. Light has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ion electric propulsion unit
    Patent number: 8635850
    Abstract: An electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) thruster is disclosed having a plasma chamber which is electrically biased with a positive voltage. The chamber bias serves to efficiently accelerate and expel the positive ions from the chamber. Electrons follow the exiting ions, serving to provide an electrically neutral exhaust plume. In a further embodiment, a downstream shaping magnetic field serves to further accelerate and/or shape the exhaust plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Max E. Light, Patrick L. Colestock