Electric thruster, a method of stopping an electric engine included in such a thruster, and a satellite including such a thruster
US9003767B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0037
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electric thruster includes at least one electric engine, a feed system for the engine including a high-pressure tank of ionizable gas, a low-pressure buffer tank connected to the high-pressure tank by a valve, and a system of pipes for conveying the gas from the low-pressure buffer tank to an anode and to a cathode of the engine. The low-pressure buffer tank is in open connection with the engine. The thruster detects that a magnitude of the discharge current between the anode and the cathode is less than a threshold value and switches off the discharge voltage as a result of the detection. The thruster can be for use in a satellite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.