Hi everyone,
U.S. Patents #5,111,006 and sub patent #5,291,734 ,which can be found and read at...
www.pat2pdf.org , and,
www.google.com/advanced_patent_search
...show a saucer-shaped craft that has as its method of propulsion, a system mostly made up of a fuel cell to generate power and then have that power accelerate hydroxyl radials in the exhaust up to 1% the speed of light. This would give a specific impulse of up to or exceeding 36,000 seconds. The larger the craft, the greater the specific impulse.
For additional very high voltage, these patents are based loosely on Greynacher generators:
#2,214,871
and
#3,356,931
Have a look at the patents and see what you think after studying them.
This type of system doesn't rely on arcane monopolar, homoploar or electro-dymanic means to take off. It just accelerates its exhaust by the power it self-generates.
--Lee
the_big_m_in_ok
Quote from: the_big_m_in_ok on March 29, 2009, 04:47:14 PM
This type of system doesn't rely on arcane monopolar, homoploar or electro-dymanic means to take off. It just accelerates its exhaust by the power it self-generates.
I still stand by my assertion(s) above. However, in order to take off from Earth, a much greater exhaust velocity than 1% of the speed of light will be needed. So, as a result the whole ship would have to be assembled in space; in Earth orbit, by having component parts brought up from the surface by Space Shuttle, for instance and then have operational supplies and passangers delivered the same way when the hull was complete.
After that, 'the sky's the limit', 'so to speak'. All else in the post above should remain the same.
--Lee