Patents by Inventor Mitchell L.R. Walker, II

Mitchell L.R. Walker, II 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).

  • Deployable gridded ion thruster
    Patent number: 10823158
    Abstract: Various examples related to a deployable gridded ion thruster are described. A deployable gridded ion thruster can include: a thruster body including an ion generating unit; and an expandable discharge chamber configured to expand from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration. The expandable discharge chamber can include a chamber wall having a first geometric shape compressed within the thruster body when in the stored configuration and a second geometric shape expanded outward from the thruster body when in the deployed configuration. Also described herein are methods of operation for a deployable gridded ion thruster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell L. R. Walker, II, Cheong Chan
  • DEPLOYABLE GRIDDED ION THRUSTER
    Publication number: 20190195206
    Abstract: Various examples related to a deployable gridded ion thruster are described. A deployable gridded ion thruster can include: a thruster body including an ion generating unit; and an expandable discharge chamber configured to expand from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration. The expandable discharge chamber can include a chamber wall having a first geometric shape compressed within the thruster body when in the stored configuration and a second geometric shape expanded outward from the thruster body when in the deployed configuration. Also described herein are methods of operation for a deployable gridded ion thruster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell L. R. WALKER, II, Cheong CHAN
  • Cold cathodes and ion thrusters and methods of making and using same
    Patent number: 8604681
    Abstract: Described herein are improved ion thruster components and ion thrusters made from such components. Further described are methods of making and using the improved ion thruster components and ion thrusters made therefrom. An improved cathode includes an emitter formed from a plurality of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. An ion thruster can include the improved cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: William Judson Ready, Mitchell L. R. Walker, II
  • COLD CATHODES AND ION THRUSTERS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME
    Publication number: 20110005191
    Abstract: Described herein are improved ion thruster components and ion thrusters made from such components. Further described are methods of making and using the improved ion thruster components and ion thrusters made therefrom. An improved cathode includes an emitter formed from a plurality of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. An ion thruster can include the improved cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: William Judson Ready, Mitchell L.R. Walker, II