Patent ID: 9581021
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: B23B,E21C,H05B

Claim:
1. A system for extracting and collecting a volatile substance from a volatiles containing in-space body, said in-space body being a planet, an asteroid, a comet, a moon or other natural extra-terrestrial object; said in-space body having a surface; said system comprising: an electromagnetic energy source for producing electromagnetic energy; an antenna coupled to said electromagnetic energy source for receiving said electromagnetic energy; said antenna configured for disposition above a contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body and external to said in-space body, said antenna being a directional antenna configured for directing said electromagnetic energy toward said in-space body for heating at least a portion of said in-space body to convert said volatile substance to vapor; a containment member; said containment member disposed to cover said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body; said containment member in contact with said surface around a periphery of said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body; said containment member forming a seal sufficient to maintain a positive pressure of said vapor within said containment member; said containment member configured to direct said vapor for collection; and a condensation unit coupled to said containment member and configured for receiving said vapor from said containment member; said condensation unit configured for condensing said vapor for concentration and storage of said volatile substance; the system further including a sealing device comprising a planar flange on said containment member surrounding a radiating exit aperture in said containment member, said radiating exit aperture for passing said electromagnetic energy, said planar flange for contacting said surface to form a seal between said containment member and said contiguous portion of said surface of said in-space body.