August 15, 2006
It was announced last week that SpaceDev, Inc., a company working on the design and development of space systems, obtained a patent on its hybrid propulsion technology. U.S. Patent No. 7,069,717, entitled “Hybrid propulsion system,” was granted last month and includes 15 claims on systems and methods for altitude control and propulsion. This patent discloses an altitude control system comprising an oxidizer supply and a nozzle connected to the supply, utilizing a pressure regulator within the system to maintain the oxidizer in a gaseous state as it enters to the nozzle. Thrust may be generated by providing the oxidizer to a hybrid rocket motor and regulating the flow and pressure of oxidizer. This invention, according to the patent, solves the “need for an improved hybrid propulsion system that in addition to providing general propulsion, also provides finely tunable attitude control.” This is, according to the USPTO assignment records, the fourth U.S. patent issued and assigned to SpaceDev.
U.S. Patent No. 7,069,717: LINK
Yahoo! News Article: LINK
SpaceDev Website: LINK
U.S. Patent No. 7,069,717: LINK
Yahoo! News Article: LINK
SpaceDev Website: LINK
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