Patents by Inventor Eric M. Ham

Eric M. Ham 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).

  • In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines
    Patent number: 10811143
    Abstract: The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: PRINCETON SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Eric M. Ham, Yosef Razin, Samuel A. Cohen
  • IN SPACE STARTUP METHOD FOR NUCLEAR FUSION ROCKET ENGINES
    Publication number: 20200027570
    Abstract: The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicants: PRINCETON SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC., THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Eric M. Ham, Yosef Razin, Samuel A. Cohen
  • In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines
    Patent number: 10229756
    Abstract: The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: PRINCETON SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC., THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Eric M. Ham, Yosef Razin, Samuel A. Cohen
  • IN SPACE STARTUP METHOD FOR NUCLEAR FUSION ROCKET ENGINES
    Publication number: 20150055740
    Abstract: The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Eric M. Ham, Yosef Razin, Samuel A. Cohen