초록

An energy storage capacitor after being charged, is discharged across an electrically conductive solid propellant by means of a movable electrode contacting the propellant, and the resulting direct ohmic heating of the face of the propellant results in impulse producing vaporization thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a thruster particularly well adopted for use in a small space satellite the improvement comprising:(a) a solid propellant body made of an electrically conductive material;(b) electrode means for directly applying voltage pulses across a portion of said solid propellant

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a thruster particularly well adopted for use in a small space satellite the improvement comprising:(a) a solid propellant body made of an electrically conductive material;(b) electrode means for directly applying voltage pulses across a portion of said solid propellant body sufficient to cause ohmic heating therein capable of vaporizing said solid propellant; and(c) a capacitor type voltage source coupled to said electrode means and having an energy storage capacitor charged during a charge-up period for producing said voltage pulses, and wherein said electrode means includes actuator means for mechanically displacing a movable electrode member of said electrode means into contact with said solid propellant body after charge-up of said energy storage capacitor.