Dale J Levandier

US Patent:

6609363, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Dec 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747518

Inventors:

Rainer A. Dressler - Arlington MA
Dale J. Levandier - Westford MA
Yu-Hui Chiu - Waltham MA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

F03H 100

US Classification:

60202, 602031

Abstract:

The invention provides an improved spacecraft thruster, either Hall effect or ion effect, using gaseous propellant converted from solid iodine. A heated tank contains iodine crystals, which tank connects to a thrust chamber by a feed tube. A filter is mounted at the input end of the feed tube, proximate the tank, which filter is warmed by a heat control. A mass flow controller is mounted in the feed tube between the tank and the chamber and is heated by a temperature controller, such controller having a shut-off valve and means to control the flow rate of gaseous propellant to the thruster chamber.

US Patent:

57675139, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Mar 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/829418

Inventors:

Rainer A. Dressler - Arlington MA
Dale J. Levandier - Westford MA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01J 4942

US Classification:

250292

Abstract:

A high-temperature octopole/collision apparatus features coaxially heated rf emitting octopole rods coacting with a collision oven cell. The rods are maintained at a slightly higher temperature than the oven cell to prevent condensation of the sample on the poles and to ensure a well characterized operating temperature necessary for absolute cross-section measurements.