Satellite metal plasma thruster and control circuit
US11480162B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2021 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0018
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pulsed metal plasma thruster (MPT) cube has a plurality of thrusters, each having a first cathode electrode and a trigger electrode separated from the first electrode by an insulator sufficient to support an initiation plasma, and a porous anode electrode positioned a separation distance from the face of all of the cathode electrodes. The cathode electrode can be either the inner electrode or the outer electrode. A power supply delivers a high voltage pulse to the trigger electrode with respect to the cathode electrode sufficient to initiate a plasma on the surface of the insulator. The plasma transfers between the anode electrode and cathode electrode of selected thrusters, thereby generating a pulse of thrust.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.