Patent ID: 6421998
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B64G,F02K,F03H,F05D,F24S,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
A thruster device responsive to solar radiation to heat a properllant, comprising:a frustoconical inner layer having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends; a frustoconical outer layer surrounding said inner layer, said outer layer having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends such that the outer surface of said inner layer and the inner surface of said outer layer cooperate to define a spiral flow passage, at least one of the inner and outer layers being operable to absorb solar radiation and transfer at least a portion of the solar radiation to the propellant; and a thrust-producing outlet attached to one of said opposed ends of said inner and outer layers and in fluid communication with said spiral flow passage, said spiral flow passage operable to receive and direct the propellant therethrough to said outlet in order to produce thrust.