Spacecraft Drive Arrangement Common High-Voltage Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements in spacecraft require multiple high-voltage generators, which are costly and increase weight, and are prone to functional restrictions due to complex switching matrices and frequent failures, especially when controlling multiple drive units independently.
Innovation Solution
A simplified drive arrangement where a single high-voltage generator supplies multiple drive units with a common high-voltage potential, allowing for adjustable control of plasma generation and gas flow, reducing the need for redundant switching elements and enabling efficient operation with a single high-voltage generator for multiple units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple high-voltage generators are provided for multiple drive units, then each drive unit can be independently controlled, but the weight and cost of the spacecraft increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drive units are connected to a single common high-voltage generator through a switching matrix, consolidating multiple high-voltage power sources into one. This reduces the overall weight and cost while maintaining the ability to independently control each drive unit through the switching matrix that can connect any drive unit to the common high-voltage potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The single common high-voltage generator serves all drive units universally, replacing the need for dedicated high-voltage generators for each drive unit. The switching matrix enables this universal generator to perform the function of multiple generators by selectively connecting to different drive units as needed.
2Reliability
If multiple high-voltage generators are provided for each drive unit, then reliable operation is ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple high-voltage generators are merged into a single common high-voltage generator, reducing system complexity. The switching matrix manages the connections between the single generator and multiple drive units, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining reliability through the ability to switch between drive units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switching matrix is used to connect high-voltage generators to drive units, then flexible control is achieved, but the reliability decreases due to frequent failures of switching elements
Solution Approach 1:
The high-voltage generation function is extracted from the switching matrix and consolidated into a separate common high-voltage generator. This separates the high-voltage power generation from the switching control, reducing the complexity and failure risk in the switching elements while maintaining flexible control through the matrix.
4Ease of operation
If separate high-voltage generators are assigned to each drive unit, then independent control is simplified, but the number of components and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate high-voltage generators are merged into a single common high-voltage generator that serves all drive units. The switching matrix enables independent control by selectively connecting drive units to the common generator, achieving the same control capability with fewer components and reduced weight.
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 solution reduces the number of high-voltage generators, saving costs and weight, while ensuring reliable operation by allowing all active drive units to share a common high-voltage potential, minimizing switching elements, and enabling flexible control of drive power and thrust vectors.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic acceleration of positively charged gas ions, which are ejected from a beam exit opening as an accelerated plasma beam
Implementation Method 2
ionization of the working gas, and electrostatic acceleration of positively charged gas ions
Implementation Method 3
Cathode heaters of primary electron sources can be selectively turned on and off
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive arrangement in a spacecraft, comprising several drive units (TW1,TW2,TW3), several individually controllable drive units that can be continuously applied to a common, constant voltage potential (HV), and a control of the axial thrust in the respective drive units is achieved due to the fact that the production of plasma in the respective drive units is individually controlled. In particular, the time-variable control of the production of plasma occurs by the time-variable control of the flow of neutral working gas (AG) in the ionization chamber (IK).