초록

Thermionic emission of electrons is utilized to initiate arc discharge in a pulsed plasma thruster.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pulsed plasma thruster comprising:a pair of electrodes being: an anode; and a cathode spaced apart from the anode; a voltage source for applying a voltage between the cathode and the anode to positively charge the anode relative to the cathode; a solid propellant bar extending longitudinally an

1. A pulsed plasma thruster comprising:a pair of electrodes being: an anode; and a cathode spaced apart from the anode; a voltage source for applying a voltage between the cathode and the anode to positively charge the anode relative to the cathode; a solid propellant bar extending longitudinally and held for progressive advancement in a downstream longitudinal direction to a gap between the cathode and anode; and an initiator for initiating arc discharge between the anode and cathode by inducing thermionic emission of electrons, which electrons are drawn toward the anode and tend to induce ionization of material on an exposed surface of the bar so as to initiate said arc discharge in a flashover.