Gridded Ion Thruster Electrical Emulator for Earth-Based Power Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the power supply assembly of grid ion thrusters require the thruster to be operated under extraterrestrial environmental conditions, which is restrictive and logistically challenging.
Innovation Solution
A device that mimics the electrical operation of a grid ion thruster, allowing the power supply assembly to be tested without the thruster present, by replicating the necessary electrical connections and parameters, enabling testing on Earth under ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thruster is operated under extraterrestrial environmental conditions to test the power supply assembly, then the testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and logistical difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an electrical equivalent model that copies the electrical characteristics of the thruster without requiring the actual thruster or extraterrestrial environment. The model includes equivalent circuit elements (current sources, voltage sources, resistors, capacitors) that replicate the electrical behavior of the thruster's grids and neutralizer, allowing power supply assembly testing under simplified terrestrial conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical equivalent model acts as an intermediary between the power supply assembly and the actual thruster. Instead of directly testing the power supply with the thruster in vacuum, the model serves as a mediator that translates the thruster's electrical characteristics into a testable circuit configuration, enabling indirect but accurate testing.
2Reliability
If the thruster and vacuum chamber are available to test the power supply assembly, then the testing capability is improved, but the ease of operation and logistical accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential electrical testing function from the complex thruster-vacuum chamber system. By isolating the electrical characteristics and representing them in a simplified equivalent circuit, the invention separates the testing capability from the need for physical thruster components and vacuum environment, making testing accessible in standard laboratory conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical equivalent model copies the essential electrical behavior of the thruster without requiring the actual thruster hardware. This copying approach maintains testing capability while eliminating the need for vacuum chambers and specialized thruster components, significantly improving operational ease and accessibility.
3Reliability
If the power supply assembly is tested multiple times on Earth before and after integration, then the testing thoroughness is improved, but the loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical equivalent model enables preliminary testing of the power supply assembly before thruster integration using the same test setup. The model can be configured to simulate different operating conditions and fault states, allowing thorough testing to be performed in advance and reducing the need for repeated testing after integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The test device with electrical equivalent model serves multiple functions: it can test the power supply assembly under normal conditions, simulate fault states, and perform testing both before and after integration without requiring different hardware configurations. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple testing operations into a single versatile test system, reducing overall testing time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2S) designed to mimic the operation of a gridded ion thruster when the device is electrically connected to a power supply assembly (1) instead of the thruster. The device comprises: terminals (C1-C14) for connecting to the power supply assembly, which replace the terminals of the thruster; and two dependent current sources (16S, 17S). Using such a device it is possible to check the capacity of the power supply assembly to apply an electron backstreaming test to the thruster, for example during a spacecraft assembly, integration and test procedure. The device can alternatively be adapted to mimic a continuous discharge gridded ion thruster or a radiofrequency discharge gridded ion thruster.