The improved performance of MPD arcjets at high powers can be achieved at lower average power levels by quasisteady operation. High-power electrical pulses, of sufficient duration to achieve nearly steady-state electrical and flow conditions for most of the pulse, are delivered to the arcjet with the interval between pulses chosen to match available spacecraft power. Power conditioning is required to achieve the necessary pulse train. To maintain the benefits of quasisteady operation, the power conditioning system should be light weight (less than 0.5 kg/kW), and reasonably simply and reliable. This paper discusses the use of Hall-active resistors to provide high voltage pulses (about 600 V) by interrupting steady currents (25 kA). Self-excited circuits are described in which the switch voltage itself develops the necessary magnetic field for switching action. A sample design is presented indicating that the basic switch could operate at less than 0.05 kg/kW (steady), providing peak electrical power in the MPD arcjet of 5 MW in millisecond pulses.
Hall effect inductive switching for quasisteady MPD arcjets
Induktives Einschalten von quasistationaeren MPD-Bogenstrahlen mittels Hall-Effekt-Schaltelementen
1981
6 Seiten, 1 Tabelle, 7 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch