Drive circuit for electric propulsion thruster

Details Drive circuit for electric propulsion thruster Drive circuit for electric propulsion thruster

1997-10-15

2000-02-29

Kim, Ted

Power plants

Reaction motor

Ion motor

602031, 21912157, 21912154, 3133591, F03H 100

Patent

active

060294388

ABSTRACT:
In drive circuitry for powering an arc jet or ion engine aboard a spacecraft carrying solar panels, a start-up circuit interconnects an array of series-parallel connected solar panels to establish and maintain an arc and plasma in the engine. In the start-up circuit, an electric switch is placed in parallel with an electrode assembly of the engine. One terminal of the engine connects directly with the solar panel array, and another terminal of the engine connects via an inductor to the solar panel array. A capacitor connects across terminals of the solar panel array. A series connection of solar panels increases the voltage from that which is available from a single panel. Conduction of current from the solar panel via the inductor is initiated by the switch to store magnetic energy within the conductor. Thereupon, upon an opening of the switch, the inductor produces a relatively high voltage which strikes an arc in the engine. The voltage outputted by the solar panel array is sufficient to maintain operation of the engine subsequent to the generation of the arc.

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patent: 5352861 (1994-10-01), Steigerwald et al.
patent: 5359180 (1994-10-01), Park et al.
patent: 5605039 (1997-02-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 5626315 (1997-05-01), Flament et al.
patent: 5720452 (1988-02-01), Mutschler, Jr.

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