PLASMA DRIVE

摘要

A plasma drive includes a plurality of plasma thrusters arrayed in each of at least one array of plasma thrusters. Plasma thrust may be generated sequentially or in a pulse from each array. Circuitry is adapted to selectively fire each thruster in each array according to a digitally controlled progression. The controlled firing progression collectively provides a cumulative thrust vector for each array. In a turbine drive embodiment the controlled progression causes sequential firing of the thrusters in each array, and the arrays in sequence. The controlled progression allows for directional control of the combined cumulative thrust vectors.

主权项

1. A plasma drive comprising:
a plurality of plasma thrusters arrayed in each of at least one array of said plasma thrusters, and wherein, when said at least one array of said plasma thrusters includes a plurality of said arrays of said plasma thrusters, said arrays are adapted to provide for sequentially providing plasma thrust sequentially or in a pulse from each said array in said plurality of said arrays so that a plasma thrust associated with said each plasma thruster, when energized, in each said array has a cumulative thrust vector in a desired thrust direction, circuitry operatively associated with said array, wherein said circuitry is adapted to selectively energized and de-energize said each thruster in said array according to a controlled progression, a digital processor controlling said controlled progression, wherein said controlled progression causes energizing and de-energizing of said each plasma thruster in said each array so as to collectively provide said cumulative thrust vector for said each array. and wherein said controlled progression causes energizing and de-energizing of said plurality of said arrays.