Christopher M Powell

US Patent:

20220293319, Sep 15, 2022

Filed:

Mar 11, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/199398

Inventors:

Christopher Hugh Powell - Cambridge MA, US

International Classification:

H01F 7/02
B64G 1/00

Abstract:

Today, chemical rockets are the most expensive components of a launch; even reusable boosters require costly fuel, ongoing maintenance, and long durations between launches. As a result, far too many space bound opportunities are prohibitively expensive. However, kinetic launchers offer an economical alternative for projecting payloads into orbit. Harnessing angular velocity, a centrifuge gradually accelerates its payload to hypersonic speeds within a vacuum sealed chamber; upon reaching the desired speed, its airlock opens and the payload is released into the atmosphere.Flux-Pinned Superconductors offer a radical advancement to this technology; wherein, Flux Pinning is used to levitate and stabilize the launch package while reinforcing the entire platform against centrifugal stress. These Flux-Pinned joints require no power, lubricant or physical contact, while providing limitless stiffness that is essentially impervious to mechanical wear. Ultimately, we believe this centrifugal launch design will dramatically reduce the market's reliance on traditional chemical rockets.

US Patent:

20210376691, Dec 2, 2021

Filed:

Jun 2, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/891043

Inventors:

Christopher Hugh Powell - Cambridge MA, US

International Classification:

H02K 7/02
H02N 15/04
F03G 3/08

Abstract:

Here, we have devised a system that utilizes Flux-Pinning (or quantum locking) to provide Remote Structural Reinforcement to the rotor of a Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS). This system utilizes superconducting materials to produce: (i) levitation of the rotor, (ii) a frictionless hinge to hold the rotor in place during operation, and (iii) a series of contactless quantum bonds that provide a reenforcing mechanism. This contactless reinforcement strengthens the rotor against centrifugal forces during operation. And ultimately, this system increases the tensile strength of the rotor; thereby increasing its maximum angular velocity (as well as the energy density of the FESS) without increasing the mass of the Rotor with additional reinforcement materials.