Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Status of pulsed inductive thruster research (Document No: 20010020394)
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Vondra, Robert Lovberg, Ralph Hrbud, Ivana LaPointe, Michael Dailey, C. Lee |
| Copyright Year | 2001 |
| Description | The TRW Pulsed Inductive Thruster (PIT) is an electromagnetic propulsion system that can provide high thrust efficiency over a wide range of specific impulse values. In its basic form, the PIT consists of a flat spiral coil covered by a thin dielectric plate. A pulsed gas injection nozzle distributes a thin layer of gas propellant across the plate surface at the same time that a pulsed high current discharge is sent through the coil. The rising current creates a time varying magnetic field, which in turn induces a strong azimuthal electric field above the coil. The electric field ionizes the gas propellant and generates an azimuthal current flow in the resulting plasma. The current in the plasma and the current in the coil flow in opposite directions, providing a mutual repulsion that rapidly blows the ionized propellant away from the plate to provide thrust. The thrust and specific impulse can be tailored by adjusting the discharge power, pulse repetition rate, and propellant mass flow, and there is minimal if any erosion due to the electrodeless nature of the discharge. Prior single-shot experiments performed with a 1-meter diameter version of the PIT at TRW demonstrated specific impulse values between 2,000 seconds and 8,000 seconds, with thruster efficiencies exceeding 55% for ammonia and hydrazine propellants. This paper outlines current and planned activities to transition the single shot device into a multiple repetition rate thruster capable of supporting future DOD and NASA strategic enterprise missions. |
| File Size | 503274 |
| Page Count | 7 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20010020394 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t4cp22b65 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2001-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Nasa Programs Pulse Repetition Rate Jet Thrust Rocket Thrust Rocket Engines Electromagnetic Propulsion Plasma Currents Specific Impulse High Thrust Gas Injection Magnetic Fields Electrodeless Discharges Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
