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US 11,346,330 B1Granted
Additively manufactured components for electric propulsion thrusters
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
InventorsKunning Gabriel Xu, Ethan Paul Hopping
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Hall effect thruster is provided having one or more components fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques. Additive manufacturing can be used to fabricate the propellant distributor and the discharge channel of the thruster. The propellant distributor can be separated from the anode of the thruster and can form the base of the discharge channel. The discharge channel can be detachably connected to the propellant distributor using one of a threaded connection or a snap-fit connection. The discharge channel can have an annular shape and electromagnets and magnetic poles can be placed in the surrounding areas of the discharge channel.
Claims28
A Hall effect thruster comprising:
- at least one electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
- at least two magnetic poles comprising a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole positioned on opposed sides of the at least one electromagnet;
- a discharge channel, the discharge channel having an annular or cylindrical shape and configured to extend from the first magnetic pole to the second magnetic pole;
- a propellant distributor connected to the discharge channel, the propellant distributor is a dielectric material and is configured to form a base of the discharge channel, wherein the propellant distributor comprises a plurality of outlets through the dielectric material and is further configured to provide propellant into the discharge channel;
- and
- an anode positioned in the discharge channel, wherein the anode is a conductor and is a separate component from the propellant distributor.
3 more elements
An electric propulsion thruster comprising:
- at least one electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
- at least two magnetic poles comprising a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole positioned on opposed sides of the at least one electromagnet;
- a discharge channel, the discharge channel having an annular or cylindrical shape and configured to extend from the first magnetic pole to the second magnetic pole, the discharge channel comprising an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall, wherein each of the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall are connected to the propellant distributor, and wherein the inner annular wall comprises glazed ceramic and the outer annular wall comprises polyetherimide;
- a propellant distributor connected to the discharge channel, the propellant distributor configured to form a base of the discharge channel;
- and
- an anode positioned in the discharge channel.
3 more elements
A propulsion system comprising:
- a propellant tank configured to store a propellant;
- a Hall effect thruster coupled to the propellant tank, the Hall effect thruster comprising:
- at least one electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
- at least two magnetic poles, the at least two magnetic poles comprising a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole positioned on opposed sides of the at least one electromagnet;
- a discharge channel, the discharge channel having an annular shape and configured to extend from the first magnetic pole to the second magnetic pole;
- a propellant distributor connected to the discharge channel adjacent the first magnetic pole, at least one of the discharge channel or the propellant distributor is manufactured from a dielectric material, the propellant distributor configured to form a base of the discharge channel, wherein the propellant distributor comprises a plurality of outlets and is further configured to receive the propellant from the propellant tank and provide the propellant to the discharge channel;
- and
- an anode positioned in the discharge channel, wherein the anode is manufactured from a conductor and is a separate component from the propellant distributor;
- and
- a cathode electrically coupled to the Hall effect thruster and positioned near an exit of the discharge channel.
7 more elements
A method for manufacturing a Hall effect thruster, the method comprising:
- additively manufacturing a discharge channel, wherein the discharge channel has an annular shape;
- additively manufacturing a propellant distributor, wherein in at least one of the discharge channel or the propellant distributor is additively manufactured from a dielectric material, wherein the propellant distributor comprises a plurality of outlets and is further configured to provide propellant into the discharge channel;
- connecting the discharge channel to the propellant distributor;
- manufacturing an anode, wherein the anode is manufactured from a conductor;
- positioning an anode in the discharge channel, wherein the anode is a separate component from the propellant distributor;
- positioning the propellant distributor and the discharge channel between a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole;
- positioning at least one electromagnet between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole;
- and
- coupling the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole.
6 more elements
A method for manufacturing a Hall effect thruster, the method comprising:
- additively manufacturing a discharge channel, wherein the discharge channel has an annular shape, the additively manufacturing a discharge channel includes additively manufacturing an outer annular wall with a first 3D printer using polyetherimide;
- additively manufacturing a propellant distributor, the additively manufacturing a propellant distributor includes additively manufacturing the propellant distributor with a second 3D printer using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;
- connecting the discharge channel to the propellant distributor;
- positioning the propellant distributor and the discharge channel between a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole;
- positioning at least one electromagnet between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole;
- and
- coupling the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole.
4 more elements
An electric propulsion thruster comprising:
- at least one electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
- at least two magnetic poles comprising a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole, the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole positioned on opposed sides of the at least one electromagnet;
- a discharge channel, the discharge channel having an annular or cylindrical shape and configured to extend from the first magnetic pole to the second magnetic pole;
- a propellant distributor connected to the discharge channel, the propellant distributor configured to form a base of the discharge channel, wherein the propellant distributor comprises a plurality of discharge holes circumferentially positioned on a planar surface adjacent an outer edge of the propellant distributor and wherein each discharge hole of the plurality of discharge holes has a constricted section configured to obtain a reduced pressure of propellant exiting the discharge hole;
- and
- an anode positioned in the discharge channel, wherein the anode is separate from the propellant distributor.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.