Micro-miniature modularized electrospray thruster

Abstract

The invention discloses a microminiature modularized electrospray thruster, and belongs to the field of application of electrospray thrusters. The thrusters are installed in the thruster module frame, each thruster works independently, the thrusters have a simultaneous cooperative working mode, the emission polarities of the adjacent thrusters in the thrusters are opposite, and each thruster periodically changes the emission polarity. And controlling the high-voltage power supply connected with each thruster to alternately output positive and negative voltages according to a preset frequency, and due to positive and negative alternation of the voltages, the charge quantities of the charged particles ejected by the thrusters are the same, and the ejected plume is self-neutralized. Under the condition that the performance of an original thruster is not lost, the microminiature electrospray thrusters are matched with one another to be assembled in a modularized and arrayed mode, each microminiature thruster is independently powered to work, the working range of the thruster can be further widened, the adjusting precision of the thruster can be further improved, and the thrust requirement of the electrospray thruster is met. Under the same inventive concept, the invention provides two technical schemes of four thruster layouts and nine thruster layouts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the application field of electrospray thrusters and relates to a micro modular electrospray thruster. Background Art

[0002] Micro-nano satellites are an important direction for satellite development. Micro-nano satellites have the advantages of small size, low cost, short development cycle and mass production. They can act flexibly and perform complex tasks in the form of formation flight or networking. For some higher-demand tasks, such as position keeping, attitude control, orbit transfer, etc., a propulsion system is needed to support micro-nano satellites to complete the task. Micro-nano satellites have limited volume and mass. The volume and mass of some traditional thrust systems are difficult to meet the needs of micro-nano satellites. Micro-nano satellites require a high specific impulse propulsion system. Traditional propulsion systems have a small specific impulse, so a small volume and high specific impulse propulsion system is needed.

[0003] Ionic liquid electrospray thruster is an electrostatic thruster with ionic liquid as propellant. It uses electrostatic field to extract or generate charged droplets or ions in ionic liquid and accelerate them to generate thrust. Ionic liquid electrospray thruster has the characteristics of small size, light weight, high specific impulse, self-neutralization and modularization. It does not require additional active supply equipment, power chamber and coil. The specific impulse of electrospray thruster in ion mode is very high, and plume self-neutralization can be achieved. The internal structure is compact. Using high-precision processing and assembly technology, modular production and assembly of thrusters can be achieved.

[0004] The existing electrospray thruster has a low utilization rate of the emitter area. Under a certain emission area, there is a problem of uneven emission of the emitter cone on the emitter. Only part of the emitter works. The main reason is that there are defects in the emitter processing technology and processing methods, which lead to uneven morphological characteristic size parameters of the emitter cone on the emitter, thus affecting the emission unevenness of the emitter. In addition, a single thruster cannot provide enough thrust to meet the mission requirements. The thrust adjustment accuracy is not high. Only increasing the number of thrusters will lead to an increase in mass and volume. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the technical problem that the above-mentioned electrospray thruster cannot generate sufficient thrust, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a miniature modular electrospray thruster. Without losing the performance of the original thruster, the miniature electrospray thrusters are coordinated with each other for modular and array assembly. Each miniature thruster is powered independently, which can further improve the working range and adjustment accuracy of the thruster and meet the thrust requirements of the electrospray thruster. Under the same inventive concept, the present invention provides two technical solutions of four thruster layout and nine thruster layout.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention discloses a miniature modular electrospray thruster, which adopts a four-thruster layout. The four thrusters are installed in a thruster module frame, each thruster works independently, and the four thrusters have a simultaneous collaborative working mode; the emission polarities of adjacent thrusters among the four thrusters are opposite, and each thruster periodically changes the emission polarity.

[0008] Preferably, the structure of each thruster consists of an extraction pole, an emission pole, a shell and a liquid storage layer.

[0009] Preferably, the four-module thruster frame is made of aluminum alloy material, and includes four installation areas, each area includes a limit device and a power connection device; different areas are separated by partitions to avoid mutual influence.

[0010] Preferably, the area of ​​a single emitter and the size of a single thruster are reduced through a modular, arrayed layout, and the density of the emission cone is increased through high-precision laser processing technology.

[0011] Preferably, the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to output positive and negative voltages alternately at a predetermined frequency. Due to the alternation of positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plumes are self-neutralized.

[0012] A miniature modular electrospray thruster adopts a nine-thruster layout. The nine thrusters are installed in a thruster module frame. Each thruster works independently, and the nine thrusters have a simultaneous collaborative working mode. Adjacent thrusters among the nine thrusters have opposite emission polarities, and each thruster periodically changes its emission polarity.

[0013] Preferably, the structure of each thruster consists of an extraction pole, an emission pole, a shell and a liquid storage layer.

[0014] Preferably, the nine-module thruster frame is made of aluminum alloy material, including nine installation areas, each area including a limit device and a power connection device; different areas are separated by partitions to avoid mutual influence;

[0015] Preferably, the area of ​​a single emitter and the size of a single thruster are reduced through a modular, arrayed layout, and the density of the emission cone is increased through high-precision laser processing technology.

[0016] Preferably, the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to output positive and negative voltages alternately at a predetermined frequency. Due to the alternation of positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plumes are self-neutralized.

[0017] Beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The present invention discloses a miniature modular electrospray thruster, which reduces the volume of the thruster by modularizing and arraying the miniature thrusters without losing the performance of the original thrusters. Each miniature thruster is powered independently, and the electrospray thrusters cooperate with each other to further improve the working range and adjustment accuracy of the thrusters, thereby meeting the thrust requirements of the electrospray thrusters.

[0019] 2. The present invention discloses a miniature modular electrospray thruster, which further reduces the size of the emitter, a key component of the thruster, by adopting high-precision laser processing technology, and processes the original number of emission cones on the emitter to ensure that the morphology of the emitter is more uniform and the utilization rate of the emission area is improved. Without losing the original thrust or even increasing the thrust, the volume and mass of the thruster are further reduced, thereby saving more space and increasing the thrust.

[0020] 3. The present invention discloses a miniature modular electrospray thruster, which is installed in a thruster frame of different number of modules. The frame of different number of modules can be selected according to actual needs to meet different thrust requirements. The frame has a simple structure and is easy to install. The internal limit surface is designed to ensure that the thruster installation position is accurate and convenient to locate, and ensure electrical isolation between different thrusters. Under the same inventive concept, the present invention provides two technical solutions of a single thruster, a four-thruster layout, and a nine-thruster layout based on the actual mission requirements of the spacecraft, such as thrust and load-bearing weight.

[0021] 4. The present invention discloses a miniature modular electrospray thruster, which realizes positive and negative mode output alternately through the cooperation of thrusters in different positions, and can achieve plume self-neutralization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the working principle of a single electrospray thruster.

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of a single electrospray thruster.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a four-module electrospray thruster.

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the four-module electrospray thruster structure.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the four-module frame structure.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a nine-module electrospray thruster.

[0028] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the nine-module electrospray thruster structure.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the nine-module framework structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to better illustrate the purpose and advantages of the present invention, the invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0031] Embodiment 1:

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, a four-module electrospray thruster disclosed in this embodiment includes a four-module housing frame, a four-module bottom plate and an electrospray thruster. The electrospray thruster includes an emitter, a housing, a liquid storage layer and an extractor. The emitter is manufactured by laser processing technology. Under the condition of reducing the emitter area, a high-density emission cone array is guaranteed by high-precision processing technology, thereby ensuring the performance of the emitter. There is a storage tank in the housing, and a liquid storage layer is stored in the storage tank. The liquid storage layer stores ionic liquid. The extractor is installed on the housing and located above the emitter. The position of each emission cone on the extractor corresponds to the position of each emission cone and is provided with a grid hole with the same geometric configuration as the emission cone. Four electrospray thrusters are installed on the four-module housing frame, and the four-module frame is provided with a position corresponding to the installation of the thruster. During installation, the thruster corresponds to the installation hole of the four-module housing frame installation platform through the screw hole at the bottom of the housing, and is fixed with screws. After the thruster is installed, the thruster high-voltage power supply interface is installed, and finally the bottom plate is installed. The bottom plate is fixed to the four-module housing frame by screws.

[0033] Each thruster in the four-module thruster is powered separately and does not affect each other. When high thrust is needed, the four thrusters can be ignited at the same time to provide the necessary power for the spacecraft. When working, the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to output positive and negative voltages alternately at a certain frequency. Due to the alternating positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plume is self-neutralized.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a four-module housing frame. The four-module housing frame is made of aluminum alloy material, which is light in weight and meets the hardness requirements. The frame configuration is formed by CNC processing.

[0035] Embodiment 2:

[0036] like Figure 7As shown, a nine-module electrospray thruster disclosed in this embodiment includes a nine-module housing frame, a nine-module bottom plate and an electrospray thruster. The electrospray thruster includes an emitter, a housing, a liquid storage layer and an extractor. The emitter is manufactured by laser processing technology. Under the condition of reducing the emitter area, a high-density emission cone array is ensured by high-precision processing technology, thereby ensuring the performance of the emitter. There is a storage tank in the housing, and a liquid storage layer is stored in the storage tank. The liquid storage layer stores ionic liquid. The extractor is installed on the housing and located above the emitter. The position of each emission cone on the extractor corresponds to the position of each emission cone and is provided with a grid hole with the same geometric configuration as the emission cone. Nine electrospray thrusters are installed on the nine-module housing frame. The nine-module frame is provided with a position corresponding to the installation of the thruster. During installation, the thruster corresponds to the installation hole of the nine-module housing frame installation platform through the screw hole at the bottom of the housing, and is fixed with screws. After the thruster is installed, the thruster high-voltage power supply interface is installed, and finally the bottom plate is installed. The bottom plate and the nine-module housing frame are fixed by screws.

[0037] Each thruster in the nine-module thruster is powered separately and does not affect each other. When high thrust is needed, the nine thrusters can be ignited at the same time to provide the necessary power for the spacecraft. When working, the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to alternately output positive and negative voltages at a certain frequency. Due to the alternating positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plumes are self-neutralized.

[0038] like Figure 8 The figure shows a schematic diagram of a nine-module housing frame. The nine-module housing frame is made of aluminum alloy material, which is light in weight and meets the hardness requirements. The frame configuration is formed by CNC processing.

[0039] The specific description above further illustrates the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the invention in detail. It should be understood that the above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A miniature modular electrospray thruster, characterized in that: A four-thruster layout is adopted, and the four thrusters are installed in the thruster module frame. Each thruster works independently, and the four thrusters have a simultaneous collaborative working mode; the emission polarities of adjacent thrusters among the four thrusters are opposite, and each thruster periodically changes the emission polarity.

2. A miniature modular electrospray thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of each thruster consists of an extraction electrode, an emitter, a shell and a liquid storage layer; the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to output positive and negative voltages alternately at a predetermined frequency. Due to the alternation of positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plume is self-neutralized.

3. A miniature modular electrospray thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four-module thruster frame is made of aluminum alloy and includes four installation areas. Each area includes a limit device and a power connection device. Different areas are separated by partitions to avoid mutual influence.

4. A miniature modular electrospray thruster as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The single emitter area and the size of a single thruster are reduced through a modular and arrayed layout, and the density of the emission cone is increased through high-precision laser processing technology.

5. A miniature modular electrospray thruster, characterized in that: A nine-thruster layout is adopted, and the nine thrusters are installed in the thruster module frame. Each thruster works independently, and the nine thrusters have a simultaneous collaborative working mode; the emission polarities of adjacent thrusters among the nine thrusters are opposite, and each thruster periodically changes the emission polarity.

6. A miniature modular electrospray thruster as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The structure of each thruster consists of an extraction electrode, an emitter, a shell and a liquid storage layer; the high-voltage power supply connected to each thruster is controlled to output positive and negative voltages alternately at a predetermined frequency. Due to the alternation of positive and negative voltages, the charged particles ejected by the thrusters have the same charge, and the ejected plume is self-neutralized.

7. A miniature modular electrospray thruster as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The nine-module thruster frame is made of aluminum alloy and includes nine installation areas. Each area includes a limit device and a power connection device. Different areas are separated by partitions to avoid mutual interference.

8. A miniature modular electrospray thruster as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The single emitter area and the size of a single thruster are reduced through a modular and arrayed layout, and the density of the emission cone is increased through high-precision laser processing technology.

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