Power processing unit (PPU) and electric propulsion system (EPS) for spacecraft
US11649072B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0075
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Described herein is a power processing unit (PPU) for use with a Hall Effect Thruster (HET) and a Propellant Management Assembly (PMA) of a spacecraft. The PPU comprises an anode and ignitor supply subsystem that provides anode and ignitor signals to an anode and an ignitor circuit of the HET. The PPU also comprises a valve control subsystem that provides valve control signal(s) to valve(s) of the PMA. The anode and ignitor supply subsystem and the valve control subsystem are each coupled to a low voltage (LV) bus of an electrical power subsystem of the spacecraft. The anode and ignitor supply subsystem includes a step-up DC-DC converter having a transformer that steps-up a voltage of the LV bus to a higher voltage used to produce the anode and ignitor signals. The valve control subsystem is devoid of a transformer. An Electric Propulsion System (EPS) includes the PPU, HET and PMA.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.