Ion thrusters

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of low-speed aircraft power technology, and specifically to an ion thruster, comprising a lower frame, an upper frame, a connecting piece, an emitting electrode, a collecting electrode and a high-voltage power supply, wherein the upper frame comprises two upper connecting thin rods; the lower frame comprises two lower connecting thin rods; the upper connecting thin rods and the lower connecting thin rods are both hollow carbon fiber tubes; the connecting piece is distributed between the upper frame and the lower frame along the circumference of the center line; the emitting electrode is arranged on the upper connecting thin rod and connected to the positive pole of the high-voltage power supply; the collecting electrode is arranged on the lower connecting thin rod and connected to the negative pole of the high-voltage power supply. The present application forms a frame for arranging the emitting electrode and the collecting electrode through hollow carbon fiber tubes and epoxy resin columns. Compared with traditional metal materials used to construct the upper connecting thin rods and the lower connecting thin rods, the overall structural weight of the ion thruster can be greatly reduced, and even in the hollow structural form, it can still provide stable support for the emitting electrode and the receiving electrode in the ion thruster.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of low-speed aircraft power, and in particular to an ion thruster. Background Art

[0002] In the "White Paper on the Development of Electric Aircraft" released by the China Aerospace Research Institute in 2019, it was pointed out that electric aircraft using electricity as the energy source of the propulsion system is an important measure for the aviation industry to implement green aviation and respond to global environmental challenges. Compared with traditional energy aircraft, electric aircraft have the advantages of energy saving, emission reduction and noise reduction, and have broad development prospects. The key technologies of electric aircraft include overall design technology, comprehensive energy management technology, and high-efficiency and high-power-to-weight ratio electric propulsion technology. In terms of electric propulsion technology, the current mainstream implementation scheme focuses on improving the existing brushless DC motor and developing superconducting motors. The final direct propulsion method is still to drive the propeller to rotate through the rotation of the motor. Although low-noise and high-efficiency propeller technology has been developed for this purpose, the inherent noise when the propeller rotates is still difficult to eliminate; this disadvantage limits its widespread use in densely populated areas such as cities, and is also not conducive to the need for silent reconnaissance and strikes in the defense sector. Therefore, a low-noise propeller is urgently needed to meet the demand for low-noise flight.

[0003] Chinese patent publication number CN118770603A discloses a plasma vertical take-off and landing UAV with super silent flight, which belongs to the field of UAV technology, including a fuselage, a propeller support frame, a plasma propeller and a landing gear; the propeller support frame is installed on the side of the fuselage, the plasma propeller is installed in the propeller support frame, and the landing gear is installed at the bottom of the fuselage. In the structural design of this type of UAV, its transmitting electrode support beam and collecting electrode support beam have a specific construction method. Specifically, both beams are composed of six thin wooden strips connected at equal distances using mortise and tenon technology. The transmitting electrode support beam and the collecting electrode support beam have a large deadweight and cannot provide a large thrust, and when the UAV is in working state, the transmitting electrode and the collecting electrode are connected to a high-voltage power supply. Due to the high voltage and high current environment brought by the high-voltage power supply, under the action of the electric field, the material characteristics of the thin wooden strips themselves are difficult to withstand the corresponding energy impact, and carbonization is prone to occur. Once carbonization occurs, the structural strength of the thin wooden strips will drop sharply, leading to their breakage. This will not only affect the normal structural stability of the transmitting electrode support beam and the collecting electrode support beam, but is also likely to further interfere with the normal operation of the drone as a whole, causing a series of chain problems such as electrode position offset and abnormal electric field distribution. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the existing technical problems, an ion thruster is provided, which uses hollow carbon fiber tubes to construct a frame for installing the emission electrode and the collection electrode. Compared with the traditional frame, the hollow carbon fiber tube has the advantages of light weight and high strength. In practical applications, it effectively reduces the weight of the frame and can withstand the complex stress generated when high voltage is connected, solving the problem that the existing thruster frame has a large weight and is easy to break when high voltage is connected.

[0005] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an ion thruster, comprising a lower frame, an upper frame, a connector, an emitting electrode, a collecting electrode and a high-voltage power supply, wherein the upper frame comprises two upper connecting thin rods vertically arranged in a horizontal direction; the lower frame comprises two lower connecting thin rods vertically arranged in a horizontal direction, the upper connecting thin rods are arranged at the tops of the lower connecting thin rods, the vertical projections of the upper connecting thin rods coincide with the lower connecting thin rods, and the lines connecting the intersection points of the two upper connecting thin rods and the intersection points of the two lower connecting thin rods form a center line; the upper connecting thin rods and the lower connecting thin rods are both hollow carbon fiber tubes; the connectors are distributed between the upper frame and the lower frame along the circumference of the center lines of the upper connecting thin rods and the lower connecting thin rods, the top end of the connector is connected to the upper connecting thin rod, and the bottom end of the connector is connected to the lower connecting thin rod; the emitting electrode is arranged on the upper connecting thin rod and connected to the positive pole of the high-voltage power supply; the collecting electrode is arranged on the lower connecting thin rod and connected to the negative pole of the high-voltage power supply.

[0006] Preferably, the connecting member includes connecting plates arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the upper connecting thin rod, the connecting plates extend in the vertical direction, an upper connecting hole is provided at the top end of the connecting plate, a lower connecting hole is provided at the bottom end of the connecting plate, the upper connecting thin rod passes through the upper connecting hole and has an interference fit therewith, the lower connecting thin rod passes through the lower connecting hole and has an interference fit therewith, and the emitting electrode and the collecting electrode are respectively provided at the top and bottom ends of the connecting plate.

[0007] Preferably, the emitting electrode includes a metal wire, which is arranged at the bottom of the upper connecting thin rod along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod and the lower connecting thin rod, and the metal wire is located at the top of the collecting electrode. The two ends of the metal wire are respectively connected to adjacent connecting plates and the metal wire is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

[0008] Preferably, the collecting electrode is a metal foil strip, which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod and the lower connecting thin rod, and the metal foil strip is located at the bottom of the emitting electrode. The two ends of the metal foil strip are respectively connected to adjacent connecting plates and the metal foil strip is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

[0009] Preferably, the ion thruster also includes a balsa wood strip, which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod and the lower connecting thin rod, and the metal foil strip has a transverse section laid on the top of the balsa wood strip and a longitudinal section extending downward from the transverse section to both sides of the balsa wood strip, and the two longitudinal ends are connected.

[0010] Preferably, the connecting sheet is provided with a threading hole located at the bottom of the upper connecting hole, and the metal wire passes through the threading hole and is connected to the connecting sheet.

[0011] Preferably, the intersection of the two upper connecting thin rods and the intersection of the two lower connecting thin rods are glued in a chimeric manner.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting piece is an epoxy resin column.

[0013] Preferably, the metal wire is a copper wire.

[0014] Preferably, the metal foil is aluminum foil.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The present application forms a frame for arranging the emitting electrode and the collecting electrode by using hollow carbon fiber tubes and epoxy resin columns. Since the hollow carbon fiber tubes have the remarkable characteristic of low density, compared with the traditional metal material used to construct the upper connecting thin rod and the lower connecting thin rod, the overall structural weight of the ion thruster can be greatly reduced. Even in the hollow structural form, it can still provide a stable support for the emitting electrode and the receiving electrode in the ion thruster.

[0017] When the ion thruster is working, the high voltage power supply to the emitter electrode will cause local heat generation, while the hollow carbon fiber tube material can maintain stable physical and chemical properties over a wide temperature range. It can effectively deal with the problem of heat conduction and accumulation, avoid adverse consequences such as material performance degradation and structural deformation caused by temperature changes, help maintain the internal components of the ion thruster in a suitable operating temperature range, and ensure the normal development of key work processes such as ion acceleration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the ion thruster of the present invention at a first viewing angle.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the ion thruster of the present invention under a second viewing angle.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a side view of the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a top view of the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the upper frame, the lower frame and the connecting parts in the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the upper frame, the lower frame and the connecting parts of the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of point A.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a top view of the balsa wood strips and connecting pieces of the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of point B.

[0027] Fig.10 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the collecting electrode, connecting parts and balsa wood strips of the ion thruster of the present invention.

[0028] The numbers in the figure are: 1, upper connecting thin rod; 2, lower connecting thin rod; 3, connecting piece; 31, upper connecting hole; 32, lower connecting hole; 33, threading hole; 4, emitting electrode; 5, collecting electrode; 6, balsa wood strip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to further understand the features, technical means, specific objectives and functions of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present application provides: an ion thruster, comprising a lower frame, an upper frame, a connecting piece, an emitting electrode 4, a collecting electrode 5 and a high-voltage power supply, the upper frame comprising two upper connecting thin rods 1 vertically arranged in the horizontal direction; the lower frame comprising two lower connecting thin rods 2 vertically arranged in the horizontal direction, the upper connecting thin rod 1 is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod 2, the vertical projection of the upper connecting thin rod 1 coincides with the lower connecting thin rod 2, and the line connecting the intersection of the two upper connecting thin rods 1 and the intersection of the two lower connecting thin rods 2 forms a center line; the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2 are both hollow carbon fiber tubes; the connecting piece is distributed between the upper frame and the lower frame along the circumferential direction of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2, the top end of the connecting piece is connected to the upper connecting thin rod 1, and the bottom end of the connecting piece is connected to the lower connecting thin rod 2; the emitting electrode 4 is arranged on the upper connecting thin rod 1 and connected to the positive pole of the high-voltage power supply; the collecting electrode 5 is arranged on the lower connecting thin rod 2 and connected to the negative pole of the high-voltage power supply.

[0031] As an important propulsion device, the structure of the ion thruster includes key components such as a lower frame, an upper frame, connectors, an emitter electrode 4, a collector electrode 5 and a high-voltage power supply.

[0032] The upper frame part is composed of two upper connecting thin rods 1 arranged horizontally and perpendicularly to each other, and has specific orientation requirements in spatial layout. The lower frame also includes two lower connecting thin rods 2 arranged vertically in the horizontal direction, and the upper connecting thin rod 1 is accurately set on the top of the lower connecting thin rod 2, and the vertical projections of the two coincide, with the center line formed by the intersection of the two upper connecting thin rods 1 and the intersection of the two lower connecting thin rods 2 as an important reference.

[0033] The upper connecting rod 1 and the lower connecting rod 2 are both made of hollow carbon fiber tubes, which can effectively reduce the overall weight while ensuring the structural strength. The connecting parts are orderly distributed between the upper frame and the lower frame along the circumference of the center line, with the top end firmly connected to the upper connecting rod 1 and the bottom end reliably connected to the lower connecting rod 2, playing a good connection role.

[0034] In addition, the emitting electrode 4 is arranged on the upper connecting thin rod 1 and connected to the positive pole of the high-voltage power supply, while the collecting electrode 5 is correspondingly arranged on the lower connecting thin rod 2 and connected to the negative pole of the high-voltage power supply, thereby constructing a complete ion propulsion working circuit to ensure the normal operation of the thruster.

[0035] After the high-voltage power supply outputs high-voltage electricity to the emitting electrode 4, high-voltage direct current is applied to the emitting electrode 4, a discharge zone is formed near the emitting electrode 4, corona discharge occurs, the air molecules are ionized, and a large number of positive ions are generated. The positive ions drift to the collecting electrode 5 through the ion drift zone under the action of the electric field, and collide with neutral air molecules during the movement, transferring part of their momentum to the air molecules, so that some neutral air molecules move toward the collecting electrode 5 and pass through the collecting electrode 5, thereby generating ion wind. According to the principle of action and reaction, the thruster pushes the air flow to obtain a net thrust. When the plasma thruster is working, it will not generate additional mechanical noise, thereby achieving ultra-quiet and long-endurance flight.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the connecting member includes connecting pieces 3 arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the upper connecting thin rod 1, the connecting piece 3 extends in the vertical direction, the top end of the connecting piece 3 is provided with an upper connecting hole 31, the bottom end of the connecting piece 3 is provided with a lower connecting hole 32, the upper connecting thin rod 1 passes through the upper connecting hole 31 and is interference fit therewith, the lower connecting thin rod 2 passes through the lower connecting hole 32 and is interference fit therewith, and the emitting electrode 4 and the collecting electrode 5 are respectively arranged at the top and bottom ends of the connecting piece 3.

[0037] In the structural composition of the ion thruster, the connector plays a vital connecting role, and its structure realizes the requirement of stably connecting the upper connecting rod 1 and the lower connecting rod 2.

[0038] The connecting piece specifically includes connecting pieces 3 arranged at equal intervals along the long thin rod, and the connecting pieces 3 extend in the vertical direction, and their spatial layout presents a regular and orderly state. An upper connecting hole 31 is provided at the top of the connecting piece 3, and a lower connecting hole 32 is correspondingly provided at the bottom, and both are key to constructing a stable connection structure.

[0039] The upper connecting rod 1 will pass through the upper connecting hole 31 at the top of the connecting piece 3, and they are connected by interference fit. The interference fit can ensure a tight and reliable connection between the upper connecting rod 1 and the connecting piece 3, effectively transmit force and maintain the stability of the structure, and avoid looseness and other undesirable conditions during the operation of the propeller. Similarly, the lower connecting rod 2 will also pass through the lower connecting hole 32 at the bottom of the connecting piece 3, and also achieve a stable connection between the two in the form of interference fit, thereby building a solid connection between the lower frame and the connector of the entire propeller.

[0040] The emitter electrode 4 and the collector electrode 5 are respectively arranged at the top and bottom of the connecting piece 3. Such a layout arrangement enables the emitter electrode 4 and the collector electrode 5 to better play their functions in the ion propulsion process based on the stable structure constructed by the connecting piece, and ensures that a series of key links such as ion acceleration, electric field construction and thrust generation can be carried out smoothly and efficiently.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the emitting electrode 4 includes a metal wire, which is arranged at the bottom of the upper connecting thin rod 1 along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2. The metal wire is located on the top of the collecting electrode 5, and the two ends of the metal wire are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting plates 3 and the metal wire is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

[0042] The emitting electrode 4 mainly includes a metal wire, which is an important component. The metal wire is arranged along the circumferential direction of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2, and is located at the bottom area of ​​the upper connecting thin rod 1. The metal wire is at the top position of the collecting electrode 5. Such a relative position relationship has a stable guiding effect on the construction of the electric field in the subsequent ion propulsion process and the guidance of the movement trajectory of the ions.

[0043] The two ends of the metal wire are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting pieces 3. This connection method enables the metal wire to rely on the stable structural frame constructed by the connecting parts to achieve good fixation and support, ensuring that it can always maintain a stable position during the operation of the thruster.

[0044] The metal wire is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply. When the high-voltage power supply is turned on, the high potential output by the positive electrode can be smoothly transmitted to the metal wire, so that a corresponding strong electric field area is formed around the metal wire, creating the necessary conditions for a series of key work processes such as the subsequent ionization of neutral gases in the air and the acceleration of ions, thereby ensuring that the ion thruster can effectively generate thrust as expected, helping spacecraft and other aircraft to complete various orbit adjustment or attitude control tasks.

[0045] like Figure 3 and Fig.10 As shown, the collecting electrode 5 is a metal foil strip, which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod 2 along the circumferential direction of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2, and the metal foil strip is located at the bottom of the emitting electrode 4, and the two ends of the metal foil strip are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting pieces 3 and the metal foil strip is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

[0046] The collecting electrode 5 is made of metal foil strips, and its spatial layout has specific requirements. The metal foil strips are arranged along the circumference of the center lines of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2, and are located at the top area of ​​the lower connecting thin rod 2. From the relative position relationship with other electrodes, it is at the bottom of the emitting electrode 4. Such a layout arrangement meets the requirements of the internal electric field distribution of the ion thruster and the planning of the ion movement path, and plays an important role in the orderly development of the entire ion thrust process.

[0047] The two ends of the metal foil strip are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting pieces 3. Through this connection, the metal foil strip can be firmly attached to the structural frame constructed by the connecting parts, ensuring that when the propeller is running, even in the face of complex mechanical environments and various physical effects, it can still maintain a stable position state and avoid displacement or looseness.

[0048] The metal foil strip is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power supply. During the operation of the ion thruster, when the high-voltage power supply is started, the negative electrode potential will be transferred to the metal foil strip, so that it has a corresponding potential state, thereby cooperating with the electric field environment created by the emission electrode 4 to complete key operations such as ion collection, ensuring the normal operation of the ion thruster and continuous thrust generation.

[0049] like Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the ion thruster also includes a balsa wood strip 6, which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod 2 along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod 1 and the lower connecting thin rod 2, and the metal foil strip has a transverse section laid on the top of the balsa wood strip 6 and a longitudinal section extending downward from the transverse section to both sides of the balsa wood strip 6, and the two longitudinal ends are transversely connected.

[0050] The balsa wood strips 6 are arranged along the circumference of the center lines of the upper connecting thin rods 1 and the lower connecting thin rods 2 , and are located at the top area of ​​the lower connecting thin rods 2 .

[0051] The metal foil strip used in the collecting electrode 5 is closely related to the balsa wood strip 6. The metal foil strip has a transverse section laid on the top of the balsa wood strip 6, and the transverse section extends along the top plane of the balsa wood strip 6, which can cover the corresponding area to a certain extent, and play a specific conductive or electric field distribution role. At the same time, the metal foil strip also has a longitudinal section extending downward from the transverse section to both sides of the balsa wood strip 6. The two longitudinal sections extend downward and reach both sides of the balsa wood strip 6, and the two are connected by adhesion. This adhesion method allows the longitudinal section of the metal foil strip to form a relatively stable structural form, which can not only enhance the stability of the metal foil strip's own structure, and prevent deformation and displacement due to vibration, electromagnetic force and other factors during the operation of the ion thruster, but also has a positive significance for maintaining the uniformity of the electric field distribution and ion collection efficiency when it is used as the collecting electrode 5, and ensures the effective implementation of all aspects of the ion thruster.

[0052] like Figure 7 As shown, the connecting sheet 3 is provided with a threading hole 33 located at the bottom of the upper connecting hole 31 , and the metal wire passes through the threading hole 33 to be connected to the connecting sheet 3 .

[0053] The connecting plate 3 is precisely provided with a threading hole 33, which is located at the bottom area of ​​the upper connecting hole 31. The threading hole 33 is based on the coordination of the internal structure of the entire ion thruster and the comprehensive consideration of ensuring reliable connection and stable operation between various components.

[0054] The metal wire needs to pass through the threading hole 33 to connect with the connecting piece 3. In this process, the metal wire must first be accurately aligned with the threading hole 33, and then pass through along a predetermined path. The inner diameter of the threading hole 33 and the outer diameter of the metal wire are adapted to each other to ensure that the metal wire can pass smoothly, so that a relatively tight combination is formed between the two, and to avoid the metal wire from loosening or shifting due to various complex factors such as vibration, electromagnetic interference, and reaction force during ion acceleration when the ion thruster is running.

[0055] This connection method achieved through the threading hole 33 allows the metal wire to firmly rely on the structural frame constructed by the connecting piece 3, thereby laying a solid foundation for a series of key work processes such as creating a stable electric field environment for the subsequent metal wire after connecting to the high-voltage power supply, effectively guiding ion movement, and assisting ion acceleration, thereby ensuring the reliable operation of the ion thruster.

[0056] like Figure 5As shown, the lengths of the two upper connecting thin rods 1 and the intersections of the two lower connecting thin rods 2 are glued in a chimeric manner.

[0057] The connection of the two upper connecting thin rods 1 in the length direction adopts a chimeric method supplemented by a gluing process. Specifically, at the jointing portion of the two upper connecting thin rods 1, after precise processing, one end of the two upper connecting thin rods 1 forms a chimeric structure that fits the shape of the other end. The design of this chimeric structure is based on the comprehensive consideration of mechanical principles and overall structural stability, which can largely ensure the coaxiality and integrity of the two thin rods after being connected in the length direction, and avoid relative displacement, angle deviation and other situations that affect structural stability.

[0058] As for the intersection of the two lower connecting thin rods 2, the same processing method of gluing in a chimeric manner is used. At the intersection, the ends of the two thin rods are processed into a specific shape so that they can be like a puzzle. Figure 1 Then, an adhesive specially adapted to the material and application scenario is used for bonding. The adhesive is evenly filled in the gaps between the joints, further enhancing the stability of the connection, so that the two lower connecting thin rods 2 can still maintain the firmness of the structure when subjected to various complex stresses generated during the operation of the ion thruster, such as the reaction force caused by ion acceleration, vibration and overload during the flight of the spacecraft, etc., to ensure the reliable operation of the entire ion thruster.

[0059] like Figure 5 As shown, the connecting piece 3 is an epoxy resin column.

[0060] As a high-performance polymer material, epoxy resin has many excellent properties. First of all, from the perspective of mechanical properties, the connecting piece 3 in the form of epoxy resin columns has good strength and rigidity, and can stably withstand forces from all directions in the complex working environment of the ion thruster. During the operation of the thruster, whether it is the electromagnetic force between the electrodes, the reaction force generated by ion acceleration, or the vibration, impact and other external forces caused by the change of the flight attitude of the spacecraft, the epoxy resin column can rely on its own reliable mechanical properties to maintain the integrity of the structure, avoid deformation, fracture, etc., thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the components.

[0061] Secondly, epoxy resin material also has excellent chemical stability. In a special environment like space, which is full of various high-energy particle radiation and substances that may react chemically with it, the connecting piece 3 of the epoxy resin column can effectively resist the erosion of these adverse factors, ensure that its own performance is not affected, and maintain its function as a connecting structure for a long time.

[0062] Furthermore, it has good processing performance and can be accurately made into a column shape that meets the design requirements. The dimensional accuracy is easy to control, which facilitates precise coordination with the upper connecting rod 1, the lower connecting rod 2 and other related components, thereby laying a solid foundation for the reliability and efficient operation of the overall structure of the ion thruster.

[0063] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the metal wire is a copper wire.

[0064] As a commonly used conductive metal material, copper has many excellent properties that meet the working requirements of ion thrusters. In terms of conductivity, copper wire has extremely low resistivity and can conduct current efficiently. When the ion thruster is running, when the high-voltage power supply is turned on, the current needs to be transmitted through the copper wire. Its excellent conductivity can ensure that the electrical energy is transmitted quickly and smoothly, so that a strong electric field that meets the requirements can be formed quickly and stably around the metal wire, creating favorable electrical conditions for subsequent key work processes such as the ionization of the propellant gas and ion acceleration.

[0065] From the perspective of mechanical properties, copper wire has a certain degree of flexibility and strength. In the complex working environment of ion thrusters, such as the reaction force generated by ion acceleration, the vibration of the spacecraft during flight, and the thermal stress caused by temperature changes, the copper wire can maintain its structural integrity while remaining firmly in a given position. It will not break easily due to being too hard, nor will it deform and shift due to being too soft, thus ensuring the stability of the emitter electrode 4 structure and the continuity of the electric field distribution.

[0066] In addition, copper has good corrosion resistance and processing properties. It can resist a certain degree of erosion in the special environment of space and is easy to process into the required shape and specifications, so as to accurately adapt to the overall design requirements of ion thrusters and help the thrusters operate reliably and efficiently.

[0067] like Fig.10 As shown, the metal foil is aluminum foil.

[0068] In terms of electrical conductivity, aluminum is an excellent conductive material with high electrical conductivity. During the operation of the ion thruster, the aluminum foil as the collecting electrode 5 needs to participate in the entire circuit loop and electric field construction. When the ions are accelerated under the electric field created by the emitting electrode 4, the aluminum foil can efficiently receive and conduct the charge carried by the ions with its good electrical conductivity, ensuring the smoothness of charge collection and current loop, thereby ensuring that the ion thruster can operate stably and continuously, and maintaining normal ion acceleration and thrust generation and other key links.

[0069] The above embodiments only express one or several implementation modes of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention patent shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An ion thruster, characterized in that: It comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, a connecting piece, an emitting electrode (4), a collecting electrode (5) and a high-voltage power supply. The upper frame body comprises two upper connecting thin rods (1) vertically arranged in the horizontal direction; The lower frame body comprises two lower connecting thin rods (2) vertically arranged in the horizontal direction, the upper connecting thin rod (1) is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod (2), the vertical projection of the upper connecting thin rod (1) coincides with the lower connecting thin rod (2), and the line connecting the intersection points of the two upper connecting thin rods (1) and the intersection points of the two lower connecting thin rods (2) forms a center line; The upper connecting thin rod (1) and the lower connecting thin rod (2) are both hollow carbon fiber tubes; The connecting piece is distributed between the upper frame body and the lower frame body along the circumferential direction of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod (1) and the lower connecting thin rod (2), the top end of the connecting piece is connected to the upper connecting thin rod (1), and the bottom end of the connecting piece is connected to the lower connecting thin rod (2); The emitting electrode (4) is arranged on the upper connecting thin rod (1) and is connected to the positive electrode of the high voltage power supply; The collecting electrode (5) is arranged on the lower connecting thin rod (2) and is connected to the negative pole of the high voltage power supply.

2. The ion thruster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting piece comprises connecting pieces (3) arranged at equal intervals along the length direction of the upper connecting thin rod (1); the connecting piece (3) extends in the vertical direction; an upper connecting hole (31) is arranged at the top end of the connecting piece (3); a lower connecting hole (32) is arranged at the bottom end of the connecting piece (3); the upper connecting thin rod (1) passes through the upper connecting hole (31) and is interference fit therewith; the lower connecting thin rod (2) passes through the lower connecting hole (32) and is interference fit therewith; and an emitting electrode (4) and a collecting electrode (5) are respectively arranged at the top end and the bottom end of the connecting piece (3).

3. The ion thruster according to claim 2, characterized in that: The emitting electrode (4) comprises a metal wire, which is arranged at the bottom of the upper connecting thin rod (1) along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod (1) and the lower connecting thin rod (2), and the metal wire is located at the top of the collecting electrode (5), and the two ends of the metal wire are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting pieces (3) and the metal wire is connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

4. The ion thruster according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The collecting electrode (5) is a metal foil strip, which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod (2) along the circumferential direction of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod (1) and the lower connecting thin rod (2), and the metal foil strip is located at the bottom of the emitting electrode (4), and the two ends of the metal foil strip are respectively connected to the adjacent connecting pieces (3) and the metal foil strip is connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power supply.

5. The ion thruster according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ion thruster also includes a balsa wood strip (6), which is arranged on the top of the lower connecting thin rod (2) along the circumference of the center line of the upper connecting thin rod (1) and the lower connecting thin rod (2), and the metal foil strip has a transverse section laid on the top of the balsa wood strip (6) and a longitudinal section extending downward from the transverse section to both sides of the balsa wood strip (6), and the two longitudinal ends are connected.

6. The ion thruster according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting piece (3) is provided with a threading hole (33) located at the bottom of the upper connecting hole (31), and the metal wire passes through the threading hole (33) to be connected to the connecting piece (3).

7. The ion thruster according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The intersection of the two upper connecting thin rods (1) and the intersection of the two lower connecting thin rods (2) are both connected in a chimeric manner.

8. The ion thruster according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The connecting piece (3) is an epoxy resin column.

9. The ion thruster according to claim 3, characterized in that: The metal wire is copper wire.

10. The ion thruster according to claim 4, characterized in that The metal foil is aluminum foil.

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