Segmented ion thruster
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorJohn R. Brophy
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for large-area, high-power ion engines comprise dividing a single engine into a combination of smaller discharge chambers (or segments) configured to operate as a single large-area engine. This segmented ion thruster (SIT) approach enables the development of 100-kW class argon ion engines for operation at a specific impulse of 10,000 s. A combination of six 30-cm diameter ion chambers operating as a single engine can process over 100 kW. Such a segmented ion engine can be operated from a single power processor unit.
Claims14
A segmented ion thrust device comprising a plurality of substantially identical subchambers, each constituting an individual ion source, in a symmetrical configuration;
- a single power processor unit to operate said thrust device;
- and a centrally single located neutralizer to effect beam neutralization in said device.
An ion thruster comprising a connected array of segmented ion thrust devices, each including a plurality of substantially identical subchambers, each constituting an individual ion source, in a first symmetrical configuration, each said segmented ion thrust device arranged to operate from a single power processor unit, and to accomplish beam neutralization through the use of a centrally single located neutralizer, said array comprising a plurality of said segmented ion thrust devices arranged in a second symmetrical configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.