초록 ▼

An apparatus for producing a vacuum arc plasma source device using a low mass, compact inductive energy storage circuit powered by a low voltage DC supply acts as a vacuum arc plasma thruster. An inductor is charged through a switch, subsequently the switch is opened and a voltage spike of Ldi/dt is

An apparatus for producing a vacuum arc plasma source device using a low mass, compact inductive energy storage circuit powered by a low voltage DC supply acts as a vacuum arc plasma thruster. An inductor is charged through a switch, subsequently the switch is opened and a voltage spike of Ldi/dt is produced initiating plasma across a resistive path separating anode and cathode. The plasma is subsequently maintained by energy stored in the inductor. Plasma is produced from cathode material, which allows for any electrically conductive material to be used. A planar structure, a tubular structure, and a coaxial structure allow for consumption of cathode material feed and thereby long lifetime of the thruster for long durations of time.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vacuum arc plasma thruster having a ring geometry, said thruster comprising:a power source having an anode output and a cathode output, said power source comprising:a voltage source in series with an energy storage device in series with a switch, said switch having a terminal coupled to said an

1. A vacuum arc plasma thruster having a ring geometry, said thruster comprising:a power source having an anode output and a cathode output, said power source comprising:a voltage source in series with an energy storage device in series with a switch, said switch having a terminal coupled to said anode output and a terminal coupled to said cathode output;a ring plasma thruster including:a ring insulator having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter;a ring cathode electrode having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, said cathode electrode placed on one of said insulator surfaces;a ring anode electrode having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, said ring anode electrode placed on other said ring insulator surface;said insulator having an area of preferred plasma formation between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode on said inner diameter;said preferred plasma formation area having a film of conductive material;said power source anode output coupled to said anode electrode and said power source cathode output coupled to said cathode electrode. 2. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1, where said energy storage device is an inductor. 3. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 2 where said inductor is a magnetic core inductor. 4. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 2 where said inductor is an air core inductor. 5. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said insulator includes one of the materials alumina silicate or alumina. 6. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said anode includes one of the materials titanium, copper, or gold. 7. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said switch on time and said switch off time is varied in an aperiodic manner to control thrust. 8. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said switch cycle time is fixed and said on time is varied to control thrust. 9. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said switch on time is fixed and said switch off time is varied to control thrust. 10. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 1 where said cathode carries a negative voltage compared to said anode after said switch is opened. 11. A vacuum arc plasma thruster having a ring geometry, said thruster comprising:a power source having an anode output and a cathode output, said power source comprising:a voltage source in series with an energy storage device in series with a switch, said switch having a terminal coupled to said anode output and a terminal coupled to said cathode output;a ring plasma thruster including:a first ring insulator having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter;a ring cathode electrode having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, said cathode electrode placed on one of said insulator surfaces;a ring ignition anode electrode having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, said ring ignition anode electrode placed on other said first ring insulator surface;said first ring insulator having an area of preferred plasma formation between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode on said inner diameter;a second ring insulator having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said second insulator placed on remaining surface of said ring ignition anode;a ring main anode electrode having two substantially parallel surfaces, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, said ring ignition anode electrode placed on other said first insulator surface;said power source anode output coupled to said main anode electrode and to said ignition anode electrode through a dissipation element, and said power source cathode output is coupled to said cathode electrode. 12. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11, where said energy storage device is an inductor. 13. The vac uum arc plasma thruster of claim 12 where said inductor is a magnetic core inductor. 14. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 12 where said inductor is an air core inductor. 15. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said insulator includes one of the materials alumina silicate or alumina. 16. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said anode includes one of the materials titanium, copper, or gold. 17. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said switch on time and said switch off time is varied in an aperiodic manner to control thrust. 18. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said switch cycle time is fixed and said on time is varied to control thrust. 19. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said switch on time is fixed and said switch off time is varied to control thrust. 20. The vacuum arc plasma thruster of claim 11 where said cathode carries a negative voltage compared to said anode after said switch is opened.