The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines
2020-10-20
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | G21B Fusionsreaktoren , FUSION REACTORS / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / F02B INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES , Brennkraftmaschinen mit innerer Verbrennung mit Verdrängerwirkung / F02K JET-PROPULSION PLANTS , Strahltriebwerke / F03H PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Erzeugung von Vortriebskraft [Schub] nach dem Prinzip des Rückstoßes, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen |
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