Gridded Ion Thruster with Integrated Solid Propellant Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid propellant plasma thrusters lack separate control over sublimation, plasma density, and ion beam characteristics, making it difficult to control thrust and specific impulse, while integrated propellant thrusters with plasma chambers are not compact enough for small satellites like CubeSats.
Innovation Solution
An ion thruster with a solid propellant reservoir housed in the plasma chamber, using a radiofrequency or AC voltage source and coils to sublime and ionize the propellant, and a grid or set of grids to extract and accelerate ions, allowing for independent control of the plasma and ion beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plasma chamber is implemented to enable separate control of sublimation, plasma, and ion beam, then control capability is improved, but device size increases making it unsuitable for small satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the propellant reservoir directly into the plasma chamber by housing the solid propellant reservoir inside the chamber. This integration eliminates the need for separate external feed systems and valves, achieving compactness suitable for small satellites while maintaining control capability through the voltage source that independently regulates plasma formation and ion extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the plasma generation chamber and the propellant storage reservoir. The voltage source also performs dual functions of controlling both plasma formation and ion extraction/acceleration, reducing the overall number of components while maintaining independent control capability
2Volume of moving object
If solid propellant is directly ablated without a plasma chamber, then device compactness is improved, but separate control of thrust and specific impulse is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by using a voltage source that can independently regulate plasma formation and ion extraction/acceleration. This segmentation of control functions within the integrated structure allows separate control of thrust and specific impulse while maintaining the compact integrated design
3Measurement precision
If external valves and complex feed systems are used to control propellant flow, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design allows the plasma chamber and reservoir to self-regulate propellant flow through the voltage source control of plasma formation and ion extraction. This eliminates the need for external valves and complex feed systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining control precision through electrical regulation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves compactness and control over the thruster's operation, enabling efficient propulsion for small satellites by managing the sublimation and plasma characteristics without the need for external valves or complex feed systems.
Implementation Method 1
a radiofrequency or AC voltage source and coils to sublime and ionize the propellant
Implementation Method 2
a radiofrequency or AC voltage source and coils to sublime and ionize the propellant
Implementation Method 3
a grid or set of grids to extract and accelerate ions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an ion thruster, comprising:a chamber,a reservoir, comprising a solid propellant (PS), housed in the chamber and comprising a conductive jacket provided with an orifice;means for forming an ion-electron plasma in the chamber, which means are able to sublime the solid propellant in the reservoir, then to generate said plasma in the chamber from the sublimed propellant coming from the reservoir through the orifice;a means for extracting and accelerating the ions and electrons of the plasma out of the chamber, which means comprises at least two grids at one end (E) of the chamber;a radiofrequency AC voltage source for generating a radiofrequency signal comprised between the plasma frequencies of the ions and of the electrons, arranged in series with a capacitor and connected, by one of its outputs and via this capacitor, to one of the grids, with the other grid being connected to the other output of said voltage source;said means for extracting and accelerating and said voltage source making it possible to form, at the output of the chamber, an ion-electron beam.