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7 results about "Hall effect thruster" patented technology
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In spacecraft propulsion, a Hall-effect thruster (HET) is a type of ion thruster in which the propellant is accelerated by an electric field. Hall-effect thrusters use a magnetic field to limit the electrons' axial motion and then use them to ionize propellant, efficiently accelerate the ions to produce thrust, and neutralize the ions in the plume. Hall-effect thrusters (based on the discovery by Edwin Hall) are sometimes referred to as Hall thrusters or Hall-current thrusters. The Hall-effect thruster is classed as a moderate specific impulse (1,600 s) space propulsion technology and has benefited from considerable theoretical and experimental research since the 1960s.
Additively manufactured components for electric propulsion thrusters
ActiveUS12601331B1Additive manufacturing apparatusMachines/enginesMagnetic fluxAdditive layer manufacturing
A Hall effect thruster is provided having one or more components fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques. Additive manufacturing can be used to fabricate the magnetic flux guide and the discharge channel of the thruster. In addition, the propellant distributor for the thruster can be incorporated into the base of the discharge channel. The magnetic flux guide can be fabricated with a filament impregnated with a magnetic material and the discharge channel can be fabricated with a filament impregnated with a ceramic material. Permanent magnets can be positioned in the magnetic flux guide at locations that surround the discharge channel.
Owner:UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Hall-effect propulsion system and method for controlling the supply of electrical power thereto
PCT designated stageWO2026062356A1Cosmonautic vehiclesCosmonautic propulsion system apparatusEngine powerElectric current flow
Disclosed is a Hall-effect propulsion system comprising a Hall-effect thruster (10), a cathode (40), and an electrical power supply (80) including an engine power supply (81) delivering an engine discharge current (Id) to the cathode (40) allowing an engine discharge (DM) to be created in a gas contained in the Hall-effect thruster (10), and a secondary power supply (82) delivering a secondary discharge current (Ik) to the cathode (40). The Hall-effect propulsion system comprises means (90) for controlling the electrical power supply (80), which are configured to command delivery of a secondary discharge current (Ik) by the secondary power supply (82) to the cathode (40) in order to keep the cathode (40) at a minimum operating temperature between two activations of the engine power supply (81).
Owner:SAFRAN SPACECRAFT PROPULSION +2
Hall-effect thruster system with applied counter-torque
PCT designated stageWO2026039574A1Cosmonautic vehiclesCosmonautic propulsion system apparatusElectric current flowMechanical engineering
A Hall effect thruster system (12) includes a thruster body (52) and a diffuser (1) configured to apply a torque (Td) to the thruster body (52) during operation. The diffuser (1) applies the torque (Td) by ejecting the propellant in a non-axial direction, such as a direction tangent to helical or curvilinear channels (8) formed within a body (10) of the diffuser (1). The applied torque (Td) can be used to counteract a swirl torque (Tswirl) that is induced on the thruster body (52) by the ionizing Hall current flowing in an annular channel (16) of the thruster body (52). This effective counter-torque (Td) is useful in deep space applications outside the Earth's magnetic field.
Owner:THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN
Hall-effect thruster system with applied counter-torque
ActiveUS12650115B2Cosmonautic vehiclesCosmonautic propulsion system apparatusElectric current flowMechanical engineering
A Hall effect thruster system includes a thruster body and a diffuser configured to apply a torque to the thruster body during operation. The diffuser applies the torque by ejecting the propellant in a non-axial direction, such as a direction tangent to helical or curvilinear channels formed within a body of the diffuser. The applied torque can be used to counteract a swirl torque that is induced on the thruster body by the ionizing Hall current flowing in an annular channel of the thruster body. This effective counter-torque is useful in deep space applications outside the Earth's magnetic field.
Owner:THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN
Hall effect propulsion system and method for controlling its electrical supply
PendingFR3166668A1Cosmonautic vehiclesCosmonautic propulsion system apparatusElectric machineElectric current flow
Hall effect propulsion system and method for controlling its power supply. Hall effect propulsion system comprising a Hall effect thruster (10), a cathode (40), and a power supply (80) including a motor power supply (81) providing a motor discharge current (Id) to the cathode (40) which creates a motor discharge (DM) in a gas contained in the Hall effect thruster (10), and a secondary power supply (82) providing a secondary discharge current (Ik) to the cathode (40). The Hall effect propulsion system includes means (90) for controlling the power supply (80) configured to control the supply of a secondary discharge current (Ik) by the secondary power supply (82) to the cathode (40) in order to maintain the cathode (40) at a minimum operating temperature between two activations of the motor power supply (81). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.
Owner:SAFRAN SPACECRAFT PROPULSION +2
Dual active bridge-driven heaterless Hall effect thruster configuration
The Hall effect thruster includes a dispenser cathode having an emitter housed within a keeper. The multi-output dual active bridge (DAB) converter includes a primary inverter connected to a DC power source, a first secondary output inverter connected to the keeper and referenced to the cathode emitter, and a second secondary output inverter connected to the anode and referenced to the cathode emitter. A controller is configured to independently control switching of each of the primary input inverter, the first secondary output inverter, and the second secondary output inverter.
Owner:AEROJET ROCKETDYNE INC
Electric thruster with thermionic cathode in oxygen-rich environment
PendingUS20260152296A1Cosmonautic propulsion system apparatusArtificial satellitesChemical physicsEngineering
Electric propulsion systems, including electrostatic ion thrusters, for operation in oxygen containing environments, such as very low Earth orbit, may include an oxygen transport membrane, a cathode, and a thruster. The oxygen transport membrane is used to separate oxygen from other constituents in a feed gas resulting in an oxygen rich gas (or permeate) and an oxygen depleted gas (or retentate). The oxygen depleted gas is routed to the cathode. The oxygen rich feed gas is routed to the thruster, such as a Hall Effect Thruster (HET).
Owner:NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP