Low power, linear geometry hall plasma source with an open electron drift
US6525480B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0068
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The operating characteristics of a linear geometry Hall plasma source scaled to operate in the 50 to 100 Watt power range are described. Two thruster acceleration channels are implemented-one of alumina and one of boron nitride. Differences in operation with the two channel materials are attributable to differences in the secondary electron emission properties. In either case, however, operation is achieved despite the lack of a closed electron current drift in the Hall direction, suggesting that there is an anomalous axial electron mobility, due to either plasma fluctuations or collisions with the channel wall. Strong low frequency oscillations in the discharge current, associated with the depletion of propellant within the discharge, are seen to appear and vary with changes in the applied magnetic field strength. The frequency of this oscillatory mode is higher than that seen in larger (and higher power) discharges, due to the decreased residence time of the propellant within the channel. Linear geometry Hall thrusters permit simpler magnetic circuit configurations and enable stacking of multiple thrusters to provide modular arrays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.