Patents by Inventor Leanne SU

Leanne SU 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).

  • Targeted-current-density hall thruster
    Patent number: 12601330
    Abstract: A thruster includes a current loop, a magnetic circuit within the current loop, a channel, a propellant reservoir and an ejection outlet. The channel forms an ejection path from an output of the propellant reservoir to the ejection outlet. The current loop is driven by a tuned current density based on at least a selected propellant. The selected propellant is ejected down the channel due to an applied electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Benjamin Jorns, Eric Viges, Madison Allen, Thomas Marks, Christopher Sercel, William Hurley, Parker Roberts, Leanne Su, Tate Gill
  • Gas distributor for electric propulsion systems
    Patent number: 12504006
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a low cost and simple to manufacture gas distributor for use as an anode in an electric propulsion (EP) system are presented. According to one aspect, the gas distributor is a single integrated structure made of a single material, including graphite or steel. The gas distributor includes an annular shape with axial symmetry about a center axis. The gas distributor includes an upstream gas channel region and a downstream gas diffuser region. The gas channel region includes a circumferential hollow region, and two sets of axial holes arranged at respective radial positions. A radial cross section of the gas distributor includes an upstream opening corresponding to the hollow region of the gas channel region and a downstream triangular shape corresponding to the gas diffuser region. A radial extension of the triangular shape axially interferes with the two sets of axial holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2025
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2025
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jacob B. Simmonds, Robert B. Lobbia, Richard R. Hofer, Dan M. Goebel, Leanne Su
  • GAS DISTRIBUTOR FOR ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20250354541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a low cost and simple to manufacture gas distributor for use as an anode in an electric propulsion (EP) system are presented. According to one aspect, the gas distributor is a single integrated structure made of a single material, including graphite or steel. The gas distributor includes an annular shape with axial symmetry about a center axis. The gas distributor includes an upstream gas channel region and a downstream gas diffuser region. The gas channel region includes a circumferential hollow region, and two sets of axial holes arranged at respective radial positions. A radial cross section of the gas distributor includes an upstream opening corresponding to the hollow region of the gas channel region and a downstream triangular shape corresponding to the gas diffuser region. A radial extension of the triangular shape axially interferes with the two sets of axial holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Jacob B. SIMMONDS, Robert B. LOBBIA, Richard R. HOFER, Dan M. GOEBEL, Leanne SU