Patent ID: 8104264
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: F02K

Abstract:
1. A gas thruster, comprising: a thrust nozzle including an inner surface that defines a flow plenum having an exhaust port; a main stage including a gas inlet port, a thrust nozzle supply port, and a valve chamber, the main stage gas inlet port adapted to receive a flow of pressurized gas, the main stage thrust nozzle supply port in fluid communication with the thrust nozzle flow plenum, the valve chamber defined at least in part by a stop surface; a main valve element movably disposed within the main stage valve chamber between the main stage thrust nozzle supply port and the stop surface and defining a main stage actuation chamber, the main valve element movable between an open position, in which the main stage gas inlet port is in fluid communication with the thrust nozzle flow plenum, and a closed position, in which the main stage gas inlet port is not in fluid communication with the thrust nozzle flow plenum; and a pilot valve coupled to the main stage and the thrust nozzle, and including an inlet port, a control port, a vent port, and a pilot valve element, the pilot valve vent port in continuous fluid communication with the thrust nozzle flow plenum, the pilot valve inlet port in continuous fluid communication with the main stage gas inlet port, and the pilot valve control port in continuous fluid communication with the main stage actuation chamber, the pilot valve operable to selectively element movable between a first position and a second position, wherein: