One thing people need to realize is that patents are not a protection by themselves. Patents are little more than a ticket to file a lawsuit at some future dat

One thing people need to realize is that patents are not a protection by themselves. Patents are little more than a ticket to file a lawsuit at some future date. Moreover it is an expensive ticket -- you are required to both reveal the essential elements of your invention (to the extent that requires 'no undue experimentation to reproduce') and prosecute the patent process for several years with specialized attorneys at a typical cost of $tens of thousands. Then, if someone infringes, you'll have the option to pursue your own federal lawsuit at a cost of $hundreds of thousands, or find an attorney willing to pursue the suit on contingency -- which is likely only if the infringer already has deep pockets. Oh, and good luck if someone in China decides to infringe your patent. The requirement to reveal key technology in the patent process is why Elon Musk decided to use Trade Secret protections (vs. patents) for SpaceX -- his assessment is that the Chinese would simply use his patents as a how-to guide. Although it can be worthwhile, I've decided against it several times. If you do pursue it, I hope it goes well for you.