Patents by Inventor Benjamin A. JORNS

Benjamin A. JORNS 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).

  • Hall effect thruster electrical configuration
    Patent number: 10480493
    Abstract: A Hall thruster is configured to reduce or eliminate pole erosion by electrically tying the cathode to the thruster chassis body. The electrical connection controls the ion energy hence reducing erosion at the pole. In a different configuration, the cathode is biased by a power supply, allowing further control of the ion energy and the elimination of pole erosion, thus increasing the thruster's operational lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Richard R. Hofer, Benjamin A. Jorns, Ira Katz, John R. Brophy
  • HALL EFFECT THRUSTER ELECTRICAL CONFIGURATION
    Publication number: 20170284380
    Abstract: A Hall thruster is configured to reduce or eliminate pole erosion by electrically tying the cathode to the thruster chassis body. The electrical connection controls the ion energy hence reducing erosion at the pole. In a different configuration, the cathode is biased by a power supply, allowing further control of the ion energy and the elimination of pole erosion, thus increasing the thruster's operational lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Richard R. HOFER, Benjamin A. JORNS, Ira KATZ, John R. BROPHY