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Research on high energy density capacitor materialsThe Pulsed Plasma thruster is the simplest of all electric propulsion devices. It is a pulsed device which stores energy in capacitors for each pulse. The lifetimes and energy densities of these capacitors are critical parameters to the continued use of these thrusters. This report presents the result of a research effort conducted by JPL into the materials used in capacitors and the modes of failure. The dominant failure mechanism was determined to be material breakdown precipitated by heat build-up within the capacitors. The presence of unwanted gas was identified as the source of the heat. An aging phenomena was discovered in polycarbonate based capacitors. CO build-up was noted to increase with the number of times the capacitor had been discharged. Improved quality control was cited as being essential for the improvement of capacitor lifetimes.
Document ID
19890002617
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor or Grantee Report
Authors
Somoano, Robert
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1988
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Report/Patent Number
AFAL-TR-88-046
AD-A197018
Accession Number
89N11988
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: F04611-83-X-0029
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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