BI-MODAL ELECTRODE MICRO CATHODE ARC THRUSTER

摘要

A thruster for a micro-satellite is disclosed. The thruster includes a voltage source, an inductor and a resistor. A switching device is coupled to the inductor and the resistor. The thruster includes an exterior electrode composed of a first propellant, an insulator located coaxially within the exterior electrode and an interior electrode composed of a second propellant located coaxially to the insulator and the exterior electrode. An exterior housing has a proximate end and an opposite distal end with a thrust channel. The exterior housing holds the exterior electrode, the insulator and the interior electrode. The switching device is coupled to either the exterior electrode or the interior electrode. The switching device is switched to pulse voltage from the inductor to create an arc between the exterior electrode and the interior electrode. Either the exterior electrode or the interior electrode may serve as a cathode to generate a plasma jet.

主权项

1. A thruster for a micro-satellite, the thruster comprising:
a voltage source; an inductor having a first input coupled to the voltage source and a second input; a resistor; a switching device coupled to the second input of the inductor and the resistor; a substantially tubular exterior electrode composed of a first propellant material; a substantially tubular insulator located coaxially within the exterior electrode; a substantially tubular interior electrode composed of a second propellant material located coaxially to the insulator and the exterior electrode; an exterior housing having a proximate end and an opposite distal end having a thrust channel, the exterior housing holding the exterior electrode, the insulator and the interior electrode; and wherein the switching device is coupled to either the exterior electrode or the interior electrode and the switching device is switched to pulse voltage from the inductor to create an arc between the exterior electrode and the interior electrode, wherein the exterior electrode serves as a cathode to generate a plasma jet through the thrust channel when coupled to the switching device and the interior electrode serves as a cathode to generate a plasma jet through the thrust channel when coupled to the switching device.