Patents by Inventor Kristi Wilson

Kristi Wilson 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).

  • Patent number: 7827779
    Abstract: A Liquid Metal Ion Thruster (LMIT) has a substrate having a plurality of pedestals, one end of the pedestal attached to the substrate, and the opposing end of the pedestal having a tip, the pedestals having grooves and the substrate also having grooves coupled to each other and to a source of liquid metal. An extractor electrode positioned parallel to the substrate and above the pedestal tips provides an electrostatic extraction field sufficient to accelerate ions from the tips of the pedestals through the extractor electrode. A series of focusing electrodes with matching apertures provides a flow of substantially parallel ion trajectories, and an optional negative ion source provides a charge neutralization to prevent space charge spreading of the exiting accelerated ions. The assembly is suitable for providing thrust for a satellite while maintaining high operating efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alameda Applied Sciences Corp.
    Inventors: Mahadevan Krishnan, Kristi Wilson, Kelan Champagne, Jason D. Wright, Andrew N. Gerhan