Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
  • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
  • H05H1/54—Plasma accelerators
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/40—Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
  • B64G1/405—Ion or plasma engines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/40—Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
  • B64G1/411—Electric propulsion
  • B64G1/413—Ion or plasma engines
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03H—PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03H1/00—Using plasma to produce a reactive propulsive thrust
  • F03H1/0006—Details applicable to different types of plasma thrusters
  • F03H1/0018—Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03H—PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03H1/00—Using plasma to produce a reactive propulsive thrust
  • F03H1/0037—Electrostatic ion thrusters
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
  • H01J27/00—Ion beam tubes
  • H01J27/02—Ion sources; Ion guns
  • H01J27/16—Ion sources; Ion guns using high-frequency excitation, e.g. microwave excitation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/42—Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
  • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
  • B64G1/42—Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
  • B64G1/428—Power distribution and management

Definitions

• the invention relates to an ion propulsion for a spacecraft, comprising a high-frequency generator for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for the ionization of a fuel and a suitable system for ion acceleration.
• electric engines are increasingly used to power satellites or spacecraft after their separation from the launcher.
• stationkeeping electric engines are used.
• ion engines and SPT plasma engines are used. Both types generate their thrust by ejecting accelerated ions.
• the ejected ion beam is neutralized.
• the customarily required electrons are provided from a separate electron source and introduced into the ion beam by means of plasma coupling.
• Radio Frequency Ion Thrusters the fuel is ionized by an alternating electromagnetic field and then accelerated to produce thrust in an electrostatic field. After passage of a neutralizer which re-introduces electrons to the ion beam and compensates for the generated positive space charge, the particles are expelled in the form of a jet.
• a gas supply an HF generator for generating the electromagnetic alternating field and high voltage sources for generating a charge carrier accelerating field are required.
• the voltages of the high voltage generator and the grid system are to be coordinated with each other for thrust generation.
• For the neutralizer to Neutralization of the positive ion beam by electrons from an electron source also requires at least one voltage source.
• the ion drive is characterized by a simple structure and high reliability. However, due to the required electronic assemblies for powering the components described a high complexity.
• the invention provides an ion propulsion for a spacecraft, comprising a high frequency generator for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for the ionization of a fuel, in particular a gas, and a system for accelerating the generated charge carriers.
• the ion drive comprises a first means with which the high voltages required for the system for accelerating the generated charge carriers can be derived from the currents and / or voltages generated by the high-frequency generator for generating the electromagnetic alternating field.
• the ion drive according to the invention is a high-frequency ion engine, in particular a radio frequency ion engine (Radio Frequency Ion Thruster, RIT).
• the fuel used in particular is a gas such as xenon.
• the ion drive according to the invention has the advantage that, by simplifying the power supply system, the mass of the ion drive can be reduced compared to conventional ion drives. At the same time, the reliability can be increased and the control effort minimized.
• the first means is adapted to those of the
• High frequency generator generated currents and / or voltages for generating the electromagnetic alternating field to derive at least the required for the ion acceleration (s) high voltage (s).
• the first grid is in particular a screen grid.
• the second grid is in particular an acceleration grid.
• Grid system more than the said two grids, so the high voltages required for the other grid are derived by the first means from the currents and / or voltages generated by the high frequency generator.
• the first means for decoupling a part of the power generated by the high-frequency generator comprises at least one capacitor coupled to the high-frequency generator.
• the first means for decoupling a portion of the power generated by the high-frequency generator comprises at least one coupled to the high-frequency generator coupling coil at the coil terminals, the voltages required for the grid system are provided.
• the at least one coupling coil is designed in the form of a secondary winding of a transformer, which couples with a coil of the high-frequency generator as the primary winding of the transformer.
• the in the high-frequency system integrable high-voltage transformer provides at its output the voltages for the acceleration system.
• the at least one coupling coil each having one or more taps, which is electrically isolated from a coil of the high-frequency generator or are.
• a second means for rectifying the voltages derived from the high frequency generator for the grid system may be provided.
• a rectification of the voltages for the acceleration system of the ion drive, the ion sources, the neutralizers or the electron sources is provided.
• the smoothing can be formed by a network of coils (L) and / or capacitors (C) and / or resistors (R).
• L coils
• C capacitors
• R resistors
• an LC, an L, a C or an RLC network may be provided for smoothing.
• the network of coils and / or capacitors and / or resistors also serves to optimize the phase angle on the acceleration system.
• the phase angle and voltages on the acceleration system are preferably set such that the average ion current corresponds to a mean electron current.
• the latter can, as explained above, also be provided by a separate neutralizer.
• a determination of the voltage ratio between respective voltages of the grid system and the voltage of the high frequency generator is carried out according to an embodiment by a high voltage cascade, comprising a number of capacitors and diodes, and / or by the turns ratio of the coil of the high frequency generator to the coupling coil (s).
• a High voltage cascade By a High voltage cascade, the voltage provided by the high frequency generator voltage can be increased.
• Such a cascade connection is also known by the term charge pump.
• At least one controllable switch is provided between the high-frequency generator and the acceleration system for the time control of the charge carrier current.
• the at least one controllable switch can be designed as a mechanical or electronic switch.
• semiconductor switches can be provided.
• a fourth means for reversing the voltages on the grid system is provided for the extraction and acceleration of ions and electrons.
• the voltages on the acceleration system are expediently to be selected such that preferably the ion current becomes equivalent to the electron current.
• the phase relationship at the components of the acceleration system can, as explained, be influenced by suitable RCL networks. Another advantage of this
• Embodiment is that can be dispensed with a separate neutralizer, resulting in a further simplification of the ion drive.
• the ion drive on a neutralizer wherein a voltage necessary for its operation from that of the
• High-frequency generator generated currents and / or voltages for generating the electromagnetic alternating field is derived and in particular provided by the first means.
• the ion drive according to the invention allows in this embodiment the elimination of a separate voltage source for the operation of the neutralizer. This results in the already explained simpler structural design with reduced mass of the ion engine.
• the invention further provides a method for operating an ion propulsion for a spacecraft, comprising a high frequency generator for generating an alternating electromagnetic field for the ionization of a fuel and an acceleration system for generating an electrostatic field for ion acceleration.
• the high voltages required for the acceleration system are derived from the currents and / or voltages generated by the high-frequency generator for generating the electromagnetic alternating field.
• the single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a cross section through an ion drive according to the invention.
• the ion drive 1 has a discharge space 2 (ionizer).
• fuel for example xenon gas
• a coil 5 wound around the discharge space 2 is formed with a high frequency generator 4 for generating an electromagnetic alternating field inside the discharge space 2 for ionization of the fuel.
• an outlet 6 is provided at an inlet 3 opposite the end of the discharge space 2.
• Adjacent to the outlet 6 is a grid system 7, which has a screen grid (plasma gripping armature) as the first grid 8 and an acceleration grid as the second grid 9.
• the first grid 8 requires a positive and the second grid 9 a negative high voltage.
• the positive supply voltage is at a potential terminal 10 for the first grid 8 and the negative high voltage are provided at a potential terminal 11 for the second grid 9.
• a neutralizer 14 which comprises a chamber 15, at whose inlet 17 a gas, e.g. Xenon, is introduced into the chamber 15.
• the chamber 15 is surrounded by electrodes 16a, 16b, so that at an outlet 18 of the chamber 15 an electron beam 24 equivalent to the ion beam 19 can be generated for neutralizing the ion beam 19.
• a high voltage is provided to the neutralizer.
• an electron current equivalent to the ion current can be adjusted. In this case, can be dispensed with the neutralizer 14.
• the ion drive 1 thus comprises in a known manner three functional areas: an area 50 for ion generation, an area 52 for ion acceleration and an optional area 54 for neutralization of the ion beam.
• High voltages for the grating 7 and the optional neutralizer 14 are not provided by their own voltage sources, but by a first means 12, with which the high voltages required for the grating system 7 and the optional neutralizer can be derived from the currents and / or voltages generated by the high frequency generator 4 , In the figure, deriving the corresponding one High voltages symbolized by a coupling (arrow 13) between the high-frequency generator 4 and the first means 12.
• the derivation of the high voltages and provision at the potential terminals 10, 11 and optionally 25a, 25b can be effected, for example, by a part of the high-frequency power being coupled out of the high-frequency generator 4 coupled to the coil 5 by capacitors (not shown).
• the voltage applied to the capacitors is rectified by a second means for rectification 22 and optionally smoothed by a third means 23. If the required voltage at the gratings 8, 9 of the grid system 7 is higher than the voltage which can be removed from the high-frequency circuit, a cascade circuit comprising capacitors and diodes, which increases the voltage to the required level, can be provided in the first means 12.
• a corresponding cascade connection may also be provided for the electrodes 16a, 16b of the neutralizer.
• the voltages required for the operation of the grid system 7 and the optional neutralizer 14 can be provided by at least one coupling coil (not shown), at the coil terminals of which the voltages required for the grid system can be tapped.
• a high-voltage transformer can be integrated into the high-frequency system, so that the necessary voltages for the grid system are available at its output.
• one or more coupling coils with optionally one or more taps can be arranged directly on the discharge space 2 (not shown). The coupling coil or coils are designed such that they are galvanically separated from the coil 5 for ionization of the fuel.
• the coupling coils are or are mounted such that a good coupling between the coil 5 and the one or more coils for the grid system 7 and the optional neutralizer 14 is given.
• the above-described means 22 and 23 for rectifying and smoothing the voltages may also be provided in the case of the coupling coils.
• a further simplification of the drive system is possible with the power output by means of coils, since the downstream rectification can likewise be dispensed with.
• the polarity of the grids 8, 9 of the grating system to each other changes, so that alternately electrons and ions are generated.
• the voltages at the gratings 8, 9 are to be selected such that preferably the ion current becomes equivalent to the electron current. If necessary, an adjustment of the phase position on the plasma grating armature 8 and on the acceleration grating 9 is necessary, which can be influenced by suitable RCL circuits (not shown).
• the rectification and smoothing means 22 and 23 may generally be omitted for ion drive operating without neutralizer 14.
• a drive by reversing the polarity of the voltages on the gratings 8, 9 both electrons and ions are extracted from the discharge space 2 and accelerated.
• LC, L, C or RLC members can be used to optimize the phase relationship at the gratings 8, 9. Preference is given to adjusting the phase position and voltages such that the average ion current corresponds to the average electron current.
• switches 20, 21, which may be formed as a mechanical or electronic switch, shown.
• the switches 20, 21 serve to keep the screen grid 8 and / or the accelerating grid 9 de-energized, even if fuel is ionized in the discharge space 2.
• a single switch can be provided for all grids of the grid system 7.
• the voltages at the potential terminals 10, 11 for the gratings ⁇ , 9 also increase. This is favorable in terms of the ion optics the plasma density increase associated with the higher RF power also requires a higher extraction voltage.
• An ion drive according to the invention has the advantage that the power supply system can be greatly simplified. As a result, the saving of mass is possible. In addition, the operational safety is increased and the control effort is minimized. Furthermore, a drive can be realized without a separate neutralizer. This is made possible by a voltage supply means with which high voltages required can be derived from the currents and / or voltages generated by the high-frequency generator. In particular, voltages may be provided for the gratings for high frequency ion engines, high frequency ion sources, high frequency neutralizers, or high frequency electron sources.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
• Particle Accelerators (AREA)
• Plasma Technology (AREA)
• Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-11-19 DE DE102008058212A patent/DE102008058212B4/de active Active
• 2009
  • 2009-11-11 JP JP2011535873A patent/JP5478633B2/ja active Active
  • 2009-11-11 WO PCT/DE2009/001600 patent/WO2010057463A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2009-11-11 US US13/129,943 patent/US9060412B2/en active Active
  • 2009-11-11 EP EP09799010.5A patent/EP2346737B1/de active Active
  • 2009-11-11 RU RU2011124504/11A patent/RU2533378C2/ru active
  • 2009-11-11 KR KR1020117011357A patent/KR101208289B1/ko active IP Right Grant

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