Efficiency arcjet thruster with controlled arc startup and steady state attachment
US4800716A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/415
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved efficiency arcjet thruster has a constrictor and electrically-conductive nozzle anode defining an arc chamber, and an electrically-conductive rod having a tip spaced upstream from the constrictor and defining a cathode spaced from the anode by a gap generally coextensive with the arc chamber. An electrical potential is applied to the anode and cathode to generate an electrical arc in the arc chamber from the cathode to anode. Catalytically decomposed hydrazine is supplied to the arc chamber with generation of the arc so as to produce thermal heating and expansion thereof through the nozzle. The constrictor can have a electrically insulative portion disposed between the cathode tip and the nozzle anode, and an electrically-conductive anode extension disposed along the insulative portion so as to define an auxiliary gap with the cathode tip substantially smaller than the gap defined between the cathode and nozzle anode for facilitating startup of arc generation. The constrictor can also include an electrically-conductive electrode with a variable electrical potential to vary the shape of the arc generated in the arc chamber. Also, the cathode is mounted for axial movement…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.