Lyon B King

US Patent:

8080930, Dec 20, 2011

Filed:

Sep 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/852122

Inventors:

Lyon Bradley King - Allouez MI, US

Assignee:

Michigan Technological University - Houghton MI

International Classification:

H01J 1/14
H01J 1/16
H01J 37/08

US Classification:

3133591, 313309, 313326, 313351, 3133621, 313336, 445 50, 445 51, 250423 R

Abstract:

Spindt-type field-emission cathodes for use in electric propulsion (EP) systems having self-assembling nanostructures that can repeatedly regenerate damaged cathode emitter nanotips. A nanotip is created by applying a negative potential near the surface of a liquefied base metal to create a Taylor cone converging to a nanotip, and solidifying the Taylor cone for use as a field-emission cathode. When the nanotip of the Taylor cone becomes sufficiently blunted or damaged to affect its utility, the base metal is re-liquefied by application of a heat source, a negative potential is reapplied to the surface of the base metal to recreate the Taylor cone, and a new nanotip is generated by solidifying the base metal.

US Patent:

20050086926, Apr 28, 2005

Filed:

Oct 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/693127

Inventors:

Lyon King - Calumet MI, US

Assignee:

Michigan Technological University - Houghton MI

International Classification:

F03H001/00

US Classification:

060202000, 060204000

Abstract:

A thruster for use with an external power supply. The thruster includes a propellant that exists in a non-gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure and has a melting point T, a boiling point T, and an evaporation rate. The thruster further includes a reservoir adapted to house the propellant and selectively heated to a temperature greater than Tand less than T, and a power control mechanism positioned to control the amount of power from the external power supply being deposited into the reservoir to control the evaporation rate of the propellant.

US Patent:

20100146931, Jun 17, 2010

Filed:

Nov 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/623787

Inventors:

Lyon Bradley King - Allouez MI, US
Jason Sommerville - Houghton MI, US

International Classification:

F03H 1/00
H05H 1/54

US Classification:

60202

Abstract:

A method of designing a plasma thruster with improved thrust efficiency. The method includes providing a thruster body having a discharge chamber with a first opening having an axis centrally located relative thereto; a cathode having a second opening at a first end thereof, the cathode being disposed at a radial position, relative to the axis, outside of the first opening; and an outer pole piece including a magnetic plate, the outer pole piece being adjacent to the first plane and extending radially outward, relative to the axis. At least one electromagnet is disposed adjacent to, and in magnetic communication with, the outer pole piece, a magnetic field being formed adjacent to the thruster body and the outer pole piece and having a separatrix surface therein. The magnetic field is altered such that the separatrix surface is moved radially outward relative to the axis toward the second opening.

US Patent:

20210024229, Jan 28, 2021

Filed:

Apr 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/982230

Inventors:

- Houghton MI, US
- Allouez MI, US
Lyon B. King - Houghton MI, US

International Classification:

B64G 1/10
G01M 15/02
F01D 17/02
F01D 21/00
G01M 15/14

Abstract:

An interface assembly for connecting an on-board propulsion system to a testing facility includes a support member configured for coupling to a manipulation system and a mounting member configured for coupling to the on-board propulsion system. A plurality of channels extends between and couples the mounting member to the support member.

US Patent:

20160010631, Jan 14, 2016

Filed:

Feb 28, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/769847

Inventors:

- Houghton MI, US
Lyon Bradley King - Allouez MI, US

Assignee:

MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY - Houghton MI

International Classification:

F03H 1/00

Abstract:

An electrospray device for generating electrospray from a ferrofluid. The electrospray device includes an emitter, an extraction electrode, and a magnet. The emitter is configured to receive a ferrofluidic liquid. The extraction electrode includes an aperture and is positioned a first distance from the emitter. The magnet generates a magnetic field in a first direction toward the emitter. The magnetic field causes Rosensweig instability in the ferrofluidic liquid, and generates a ferrofluidic peak in the ferrofluidic liquid. The magnet is positioned a second distance from the emitter, and the emitter is positioned between the extraction electrode and the magnet. The ferrofluidic liquid is biased at a first electrical potential and the extraction electrode is biased at a second electrical potential. A difference between the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential is sufficient to generate an electric field at the ferrofluidic peak that generates electrospray from the ferrofluidic peak.