초록 ▼

Disclosed is a gas generating polymer compound that when irradiated with light or other radiation sources makes a solid to gas phase transition due to chemically catylized degradation, irradiative degradation or both. This provides a low cost, stable and easily manufactured means of gas production.

Disclosed is a gas generating polymer compound that when irradiated with light or other radiation sources makes a solid to gas phase transition due to chemically catylized degradation, irradiative degradation or both. This provides a low cost, stable and easily manufactured means of gas production. Also disclosed are possible uses for the gas generator such as a low cost micro thruster.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A micro thruster comprising a cell containing a gas generating propellant that may be selectively activated or deactivated by a light source communicating through fiber optics embedded in the gas generating propellant for irradiating the gas generating propellant, and a micro

What is claimed is: 1. A micro thruster comprising a cell containing a gas generating propellant that may be selectively activated or deactivated by a light source communicating through fiber optics embedded in the gas generating propellant for irradiating the gas generating propellant, and a microprocessor controller for controlling the light source. 2. The micro thruster according to claim 1, further including an igniter for igniting the gas to provide additional thrust. 3. The micro thruster according to claim 1, wherein the gas is hypergolic and self ignites to provide additional thrust. 4. A micro thruster array comprising a plurality of micro thruster cells as claimed in claim 1. 5. A micro thruster array comprising a plurality of micro thruster cells as claimed in claim 1 on a common support. 6. The micro thruster according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an LED or laser chip. 7. The micro thruster according to claim 1, including fiber optics for carrying light energy from the light source to the gas generating propellant. 8. The micro thruster according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an UV light source. 9. A micro thruster according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a gas generating polymer composition comprising: a photo acid generator (A), and a polymer (B) that has a chain or branches susceptible to acidylic attack and converts to a gas when the chain is cleaved by acid formed from photo irradiation of the photo acid generator (A). 10. The micro thruster according to claim 9, wherein the polymer (B) is subject to photo degradation and converts to a gas under photo irradiation. 11. The micro thruster according to claim 9, wherein the gas generating polymer composition further comprises a photo initiator. 12. The micro thruster according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating propellant comprises a gas generating polymer composition comprising: a polymer (B) that has a chain or branches that have one or more end caps susceptible to acidylic attack by the photo acid generator (A). 13. The micro thruster according to claim 12, wherein polymer (B) is subject to photo degradation and converts to a gas under photo irradiation. 14. The micro thruster according to claim 12, wherein the gas generating polymer composition further comprises a photo initiator. 15. The microthruster according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating propellant produces a gas upon irradiation, and ceases to produce when irradiation is discontinued, and further including a microprocessor controller for controlling the light source.