Hall-effect thruster
AssigneeOrbion Space Technology, Inc.
InventorJason D. Sommerville
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Hall-effect thruster assembly includes a plurality of magnetic sources for creating a magnetic circuit. The plurality of magnetic sources are positioned between a first end and a second, opposite end of the Hall-effect thruster. The plurality of magnetic sources define a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The first end is configured as a discharge end. A mount assembly is coupled to the second end. The mount assembly is configured to secure the plurality of magnetic sources to a spacecraft. A magnetic element is supported by the mount assembly. The magnetic element is positioned relative to the plurality of magnetic sources by the mount assembly.
Claims14
A Hall-effect thruster assembly comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic sources for creating a magnetic circuit, the plurality of magnetic sources positioned between a first end and a second end of a Hall-effect thruster, the plurality of magnetic sources defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first end configured as a discharge end;
- a mount assembly including a body extending between a first side and a second side, the first side coupled to the second end of the Hall-effect thruster, the body defining a cavity, the mount assembly further including a receptacle positioned within the cavity, the mount assembly further configured to secure the plurality of magnetic sources to a spacecraft;
- and
- a plurality of discrete magnets retained at least partially within the receptacle, the plurality of discrete magnets positioned closer to the second side than to the first side of the body,
- wherein the plurality of discrete magnets is positioned relative to the plurality of magnetic sources by the mount assembly
- such that during operation of the Hall-effect thruster, the plurality of discrete magnets is configured to reduce an absolute value of a magnetic dipole moment created by the magnetic circuit.
A Hall-effect thruster assembly comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic sources for creating a magnetic circuit, the plurality of magnetic sources positioned between a first end and a second end of a Hall-effect thruster, the plurality of magnetic sources defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first end configured as a discharge end;
- a mount assembly coupled to the second end, the mount assembly configured to secure the plurality of magnetic sources to a spacecraft;
- and
- a magnetic element supported by the mount assembly, the magnetic element positioned relative to the plurality of magnetic sources by the mount assembly,
- wherein the plurality of magnetic sources is configured such that during operation of the Hall-effect thruster, the magnetic circuit created by the plurality of magnetic sources results in a magnetic dipole moment, and wherein the magnetic element is positioned such that during operation of the Hall-effect thruster, the magnetic element is configured to reduce an absolute value of the magnetic dipole moment by a predetermined percentage in a direction along the longitudinal axis.
A Hall-effect thruster assembly comprising:
- a plurality of magnetic sources for creating a magnetic circuit, the plurality of magnetic sources positioned between a first end and a second end of a Hall-effect thruster, the plurality of magnetic sources defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, the first end configured as a discharge end;
- a mount assembly coupled to the second end, the mount assembly configured to secure the plurality of magnetic sources to a spacecraft;
- and
- a magnetic element supported by the mount assembly, the magnetic element positioned relative to the plurality of magnetic sources by the mount assembly such that during operation of the Hall-effect thruster, the magnetic element produces a compensating magnetic dipole moment cooperative with the magnetic dipole moment of the Hall-effect thruster to reduce the absolute value of the magnetic dipole moment of the Hall-effect thruster in the direction along the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.