Smart Laser Ignitor for Reaction Control System (RCS) Thrusters Duncan Technologies Inc., Auburn, CA

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Smart Laser Ignitor for Reaction Control System
(RCS) ThrustersDuncan Technologies Inc., Auburn,
CA

• Innovation
• Lower Power thermal ignition using diode laser
  optical source
• Built in Test allowing complete system
  verification without
• propellants present.
• No inherent life limiting components
• Innovative Optical Coupler Component

Photo

• Accomplishments
• Laser ignition demonstrated with O2/H2 thruster.
• Parametic experiments demonstrated insensitivity
  to Oxidizer-Fuel
• ratio (O/F) and pressure
• Number of employees tripled in last year
• Pursuing main propulsion igniter market for
  Recoverable launch
• Vehicle (RLV)

Title

• Government/Science Applications
• Laser ignition system provides key features
  required for
• successful RLV development Built in test, Long
  life, No
• maintenance between mission, Light weight, and
  Low cost.
• Small rocket engine applications using non-toxic
  
• propellants (compared to frequently used
  hypergolic
• systems.

• Commercialization
• RCS and main propulsion for RLVs
• High reliability, verifiable igniter markets
• System requiring repeated ignition or multiple
  ignition locations such as industrial furnaces.
• Applications requiring low electromagnetic
  interference (EMI) compared to spark igniters
• Pursuing Licensing of Optical Coupler Component

Points of Contact - NASA -Jane I
Fox-jifox_at_ems.jsc.nasa.gov - Company Judy
Duncan-info_at_duncantech.com 1993 SBIR PhaseII
NAS NAS9-19036
Johnson Space Center Date of Update 05-17-99 SS
9-007