Hall Thruster Plasma Charging Mitigation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging mitigation devices for artificial satellites increase power consumption and mass, and are only used during docking, necessitating a dedicated device.

Innovation Solution

A charging mitigation device using a Hall thruster configured to generate plasma, which can switch between thrust generation and charging mitigation modes, covering physical objects with plasma to prevent electric discharges without the need for a dedicated device, thereby minimizing power consumption and mass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated charging mitigation device is mounted on the artificial satellite, then electric discharge prevention capability is improved, but power consumption and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric discharge prevention capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall thruster is designed to perform dual functions: thrust generation for satellite propulsion and plasma generation for charging mitigation during docking. By making the Hall thruster universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated charging mitigation device, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining electric discharge prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the charging mitigation function with the existing Hall thruster system. Instead of adding a separate device, the plasma generation capability of the Hall thruster is utilized for both propulsion and charging mitigation, combining multiple functions into a single system to reduce overall power consumption and mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a dedicated charging mitigation device is mounted on the artificial satellite, then electric discharge prevention capability is improved, but mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric discharge prevention capabilityVSAvoidmass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall thruster is designed to perform dual functions: thrust generation for satellite propulsion and plasma generation for charging mitigation during docking. By making the Hall thruster universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated charging mitigation device, thereby reducing mass while maintaining electric discharge prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the charging mitigation function with the existing Hall thruster system. Instead of adding a separate device, the plasma generation capability of the Hall thruster is utilized for both propulsion and charging mitigation, combining multiple functions into a single system to reduce overall mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a dedicated charging mitigation device is mounted on the artificial satellite, then electric discharge prevention capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric discharge prevention capabilityVSAvoidanti-charging design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Hall thruster is designed to perform dual functions: thrust generation for satellite propulsion and plasma generation for charging mitigation during docking. By making the Hall thruster universal, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated charging mitigation device, thereby simplifying the overall system design while maintaining electric discharge prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the charging mitigation function with the existing Hall thruster system. Instead of adding a separate device, the plasma generation capability of the Hall thruster is utilized for both propulsion and charging mitigation, combining multiple functions into a single system to reduce overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution allows for effective prevention of electric discharges between artificial satellites without a dedicated device, reducing power and mass requirements, and simplifying anti-charging designs by using the Hall thruster's plasma to mitigate potential differences.

Implementation Method 1

an electric thruster configured to generate plasma, wherein the two or more physical objects are covered with the plasma generated from the electric thruster

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma generation: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

a configuration in which the electric thruster is a Hall thruster

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12025110B2Charging mitigation device and electric discharge avoidance method

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY

AI summary

A structure for preventing an electric discharge between devices without any need for a dedicated device when mounted on an artificial satellite is provided. A charging mitigation device for reducing a potential difference between two or more physical objects includes an electric thruster (100) configured to generate plasma (PL), wherein the two or more physical objects are covered with the plasma (PL) generated from the electric thruster (100).