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EXTERNALLY POWERED HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  • US 20150040536A1
  • Filed: 10/22/2013
  • Published: 02/12/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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 a flow of propellant to the propellant heater;

    the propellant heater being in fluid communication with the propellant tank and the exhaust nozzle and initially comprising a quantity of oxidizer, the quantity of oxidizer being configured for reacting chemically with the flow of propellant to produce heat;

    the propellant heater being further configured for receiving a beam of microwave energy and 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 and being for receiving a flow of propellant from the propellant heater, for accelerating the flow of propellant, and for expelling the flow of propellant so as to produce thrust.

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