A narrow channel Hall thruster comprising a thruster body with a magnetic circuit, an annular thruster channel having a channel width of less than 3 mm formed within the magnetic circuit, an annular anode, a cathode positioned externally to the thruster, and configured for electron emission, a power supply applying a positive potential to the anode, such that a plasma discharge can be generated in the annular thruster channel, and another power supply applying a negative potential to the cathode, relative to the thruster body and the anode. The second power supply reduces its negative voltage output to the cathode when the current supplied by the anode power supply exceeds a predetermined level, indicating that the discharge has reached a stable initiated condition. The reduction of the voltage output of the second power supply can be achieved either by self-regulation, or by use of a current limit circuit.
Ignition process for narrow channel hall thruster
20.12.2022
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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