The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed the ability to provide the initial acceleration necessary for spacecraft to attain earth orbit without use of traditional rocket propellants. The invention also has the ability to provide an alternative means of ground transportation without the direct use of fossil fuel. The invention utilizes a pressurized, nonmagnetic tube to accelerate and translate a piston. The piston is magnetically coupled to a conveyance, which travels along the outside of the tube. The conveyance, in turn, can be either a spacecraft or a vehicle suitable for ground transportation.

Benefits

Potential Commercial Uses

The Technology

This technology comprises of a nonmagnetic tube, piston, conveyance, magnetic coupling, and a means for pressurizing the nonmagnetic tube. The nonmagnetic tube has a closed end. The piston is located within the nonmagnetic tube and is sealed against the interior surface of the tube. The conveyance is mounted to the exterior track surface of the nonmagnetic tube with the magnetic coupling and is movable along the tube. The magnetic coupling consists of a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element mounted on the piston and a third magnetic element and a fourth magnetic element mounted on the conveyance. While the magnetic elements could be permanent magnets, electromagnets are preferred because their associated magnetic field can be controlled with electrical current. This will allow the magnetic coupling to be precisely monitored and controlled. The means for pressurizing the nonmagnetic tube can be accomplished with an injection port strategically placed in the nonmagnetic tube between the closed end and the piston using a regulator for controlling fluid flow. Operation of this invention is straightforward. Fluid pressure is introduced into the nonmagnetic tube in a controlled manner in order to accelerate the piston to a desired velocity. If the nonmagnetic tube has more than one section, the previous section is isolated or closed off as the piston travels into the next section. This keeps pressurized tube volume to a minimum. After reaching the desired velocity, at least two outcomes are possible depending on the function of the conveyance. First, if the conveyance is a spacecraft, the magnetic coupling is simply deactivated and the spacecraft continues to travel under its own power. Second, if the conveyance is a ground transportation vehicle, the tube pressure is regulated to maintain the desired velocity.

Patent Number

6,170,404

Contact for Licensing Information

If your company is interested in commercializing the Pressure-Drive Magnetically-Coupled Conveyance or if you need additional information, please reference case no. MFS-31184 and contact:

Technology Transfer Department
Patent Licensing Information
Mail Code CD30
Marshall Space Flight Center
Email: rhonda.thompson@msfc.nasa.gov