Patent ID: 9453480
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: B64G,F02K,F03H,F05D

Claim Text:
1. A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle, the hybrid propulsion system comprising: a propellant tank for providing a flow of propellant; a propellant heater; and an exhaust nozzle; the propellant tank being in fluid communication with the propellant heater and configured for providing the flow of propellant to the propellant heater; the propellant heater being in fluid communication with the propellant tank and the exhaust nozzle, the propellant heater initially containing a quantity of a solid oxidizer, the quantity of the solid oxidizer being configured for reacting chemically with the flow of propellant to produce heat by combustion; the propellant heater being further configured for receiving a beam of microwave energy emitted by a microwave source separate from the vehicle, the propellant heater facilitating transmission of the beam of microwave energy to the flow of propellant; and the exhaust nozzle being in fluid communication with the propellant heater for receiving the flow of propellant from the propellant heater, the exhaust nozzle for accelerating the flow of propellant and for expelling the flow of propellant to produce thrust.