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Power electronics for a 1-kilowatt arcjet thrusterAfter more than two decades, new space mission requirements have revived interest in arcjet systems. The preliminary development and demonstration of new, high efficiency, power electronic concepts for start up and steady state control of dc arcjets is reported. The design comprises a pulse width modulated power converter which is closed loop configured to give fast current control. An inductor, in series with the arcjet, serves the dual role of providing instantaneous current control, as well as a high voltage arc ignition pulse. Benchmark efficiency, transient response, regulation, and ripple data are presented. Tests with arcjets demonstrate that the power electronics breadboard can start thrusters consistently with no apparent damage and transfer reliably to the nondestructive high voltage arc mode in less than a second.
Document ID
19860064875
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gruber, R. P.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1986
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 86-1507
Accession Number
86A49613
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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