PROPELLANT TANK AND LOADING FOR ELECTROSPRAY THRUSTER

摘要

Methods and apparatus of adding propellant to a thruster assembly are described. A first end of a beaker is disposed in an opening of the tank, where the beaker contains propellant and the first end of the beaker includes a breakaway bottom. The thruster assembly and beaker are placed in a first environment, where the first environment is substantially a vacuum and/or an environment composed substantially of gases that can be absorbed by the propellant. A plunger in the beaker is depressed to cause the breakaway bottom of the beaker to break and the propellant to flow into the tank of the thruster assembly. The thruster assembly is removed from the first environment and the beaker is removed from the opening. A cap is added to complete the assembly. The assembly contains a vent to allow gases to escape the interior of the tank.

主权项

1. A method of adding propellant to a thruster assembly, wherein the thruster assembly comprises a tank comprising a first opening and a second opening; a porous emitter array disposed over the first opening; a porous reservoir disposed substantially within an interior of the tank, wherein the porous reservoir is in fluid communication with the porous emitter array through the first opening, the method comprising:
disposing a first end of a beaker in the second opening of the tank, wherein the beaker contains propellant, and wherein the first end of the beaker comprises a breakaway bottom; placing the thruster assembly and beaker in a first environment, wherein the first environment is at least one of a substantial vacuum or an environment composed substantially of gases that can be absorbed by the propellant; depressing a plunger in the beaker to cause the breakaway bottom of the beaker to break and cause the propellant to flow into the tank; removing the thruster assembly from the first environment; and removing the beaker from the second opening.