Patents by Inventor Pekka Janhunen

Pekka Janhunen 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).

  • Electric sail for producing spacecraft propulsion
    Patent number: 7641151
    Abstract: A spacecraft propulsion system includes a plurality of wires (102) or other electrically conductive elongated members deployed from a main body (101) into respective radial directions. An electric potential generator (605) generates an electric potential on board the main body (101). The electric coupling between the electric potential generator (605) and the elongated members is controlled (604) so that all or some of the elongated members (102) assume a high positive potential. An auxiliary propulsion system (203) rotates the main body around a rotational axis (502) that is perpendicular to the radial directions, thus creating a centrifugal supporting force to the elongated members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Pekka Janhunen
  • Electric sail for producing spacecraft propulsion
    Publication number: 20070205331
    Abstract: A spacecraft propulsion system includes a plurality of wires (102) or other electrically conductive elongated members deployed from a main body (101) into respective radial directions. An electric potential generator (605) generates an electric potential on board the main body (101). The electric coupling between the electric potential generator (605) and the elongated members is controlled (604) so that all or some of the elongated members (102) assume a high positive potential. An auxiliary propulsion system (203) rotates the main body around a rotational axis (502) that is perpendicular to the radial directions, thus creating a centrifugal supporting force to the elongated members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Pekka Janhunen