A study on the efficiency of pulsed plasma thruster (PPT)-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

A study on the efficiency of pulsed plasma thruster (PPT)

Published:2006-09-01 Issue:5 Volume:78 Page:391-394
ISSN:0002-2667
Container-title:Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
language:en
Short-container-title:

Author:

Dali Hou,Wansheng Zhao,Xiaoming Kang

Abstract

PurposeThe pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) is one sort of promising electric thrusters, but the low efficiency is always a big problem for PPT. Many researches have been working on solving this problem. However, there is still no significant breakthrough. This paper aimed to discuss some methods for improving the PPT's efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe causes for the low efficiency by analyzing the theoretical models of PPT are discussed, and the influences on PPT's performance investigated in terms of the structural or electrical parameters.FindingsThe change of structural or electrical parameters which influence the thrust efficiency significantly are taken into account. In the process of designing PPT, optimized structural and electrical parameters should be chosen to attain a better performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis is mainly based on the parallel‐rail PPT.Practical implicationsThe result of analysis is adopted, the higher thrust efficiency of PPT is expectable.Originality/valueBy introducing theoretical models and analyzing results of some researcher's experiments, this paper offers a method of designing PPT and attempts to help designer to choose appropriate structural and electrical parameters.

Publisher

Emerald

Reference8 articles.

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3. Hoskins, W.A. and Cassady, R.J. (2000b), “Development of a micro pulsed plasma thruster for the Dawgstar nanosatellite”, paper presented at 36th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Huntsville, AL, July 16‐19.

4. LeDuc, J.R., Bromaghim, D.R., Peterson, T., Pencil, E., Arrington, L., Hoskins, W.A. and Cassady, R.J. (1997), “Mission planning, hardware development, and ground testing for the pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) space demonstration on Mightysat II1”, paper presented at 33rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Seattle, WA, July 6‐9.

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