Arcjet nozzle having improved electrical-to-thrust conversion efficiency and high voltage operation
US5111656A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/415
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An arcjet thruster is disclosed which has an electrically conductive anode body having an anode cavity therein which defines a nozzle symmetrical about a central axis. The anode cavity has a tandemly arranged divergent recombination portion and a divergent expansion portion. The expansion portion has a greater rate of divergence than the recombination portion. The anode body further preferably comprises a cylindrical constrictor portion upstream and in tandem with the recombination portion. An electrically conductive cylindrical cathode body is coaxially arranged and spaced from the anode body by a gap. An electrical current source connected to the cathode and the anode produces an electrical arc across the gap. A vortex flow of propellant gas is fed through the gap and through the nozzle to produce thrust. The vortex flow of propellant gas pushes the arc through the constrictor into one of the divergent portions of the nozzle. The recombination and expansion portions merge at a transition being between a divergence of 5 and 15 degrees and within a diameter ratio range of the transition to the constrictor of about 1.5 to 4.0. The divergent recombination portion causes a portion of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.