Patents by Inventor Nils Gerrit KOTTKE

Nils Gerrit KOTTKE 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).

  • Neutralizer for an ion engine, method of operating a neutralizer and ion engine
    Patent number: 11649809
    Abstract: A neutralizer suitable for use in an ion engine comprises a halogen gas source and an electrode tube comprising an inlet opening connected to the halogen gas source for supplying a halogen gas provided by the halogen gas source into the electrode tube, a discharge space for generating a plasma from the halogen gas supplied into the electrode tube, and an outlet opening for discharging the plasma generated in the discharge space and free electrons from the electrode tube. An electron emitter is arranged in the discharge space of the electrode tube, which is at least partially made of tungsten, a tungsten alloy or a tungsten composite material containing at least one of iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Georg Hey, Nils Gerrit Kottke, Günter Kornfeld
  • NEUTRALIZER FOR AN ION ENGINE, METHOD OF OPERATING A NEUTRALIZER AND ION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20210180575
    Abstract: A neutralizer suitable for use in an ion engine comprises a halogen gas source and an electrode tube comprising an inlet opening connected to the halogen gas source for supplying a halogen gas provided by the halogen gas source into the electrode tube, a discharge space for generating a plasma from the halogen gas supplied into the electrode tube, and an outlet opening for discharging the plasma generated in the discharge space and free electrons from the electrode tube. An electron emitter is arranged in the discharge space of the electrode tube, which is at least partially made of tungsten, a tungsten alloy or a tungsten composite material containing at least one of iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Franz Georg HEY, Nils Gerrit KOTTKE, Günter KORNFELD