Starter circuit for an ion engine

• US 6,369,521 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2001
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Electron Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Cardwell, Gilbert I. Jr., Phelps, Thomas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/935,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20020047623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 315/289, 315/290, 315/291, 315/224, 315/307, 315/111.21, 315/111.51, 315/362, 361/247, 361/268, 60/390.3
• US Class Current: 315/290
• CPC Class Codes: F03H 1/0018 Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems for cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/42

Abstract

A starter circuit particularly suitable for a plasma of an ion engine for a spacecraft includes a power supply having an output inductor with a tap. A switch is coupled to the tap. The switch has a control input. A pulse control logic circuit is coupled to said control input, said pulse control logic circuit controlling said switch to an off state to generate a high voltage discharge.

Claims

1. A method for starting a plasma comprising the steps of:

emitting a gas;

charging an inductor having a tap and an output;

coupling a starter circuit to said tap;

controlling the starter circuit to initiate a high voltage discharge;

producing a current through the gas;

establishing the plasma; and

igniting the plasma.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of coupling a starter circuit to said tap comprises the steps of:

coupling a switch to said tap to store energy in the inductor;

controlling said switch with a control signal;

opening the switch; and

generating a high voltage discharge in response to the opening of the switch.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of generating a high voltage discharge comprises generating a high voltage discharge between an anode and cathode of a thruster.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of generating a high voltage discharge comprises generating a high voltage discharge between a neutralizer anode and neutralizer cathode of a neutralizer.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of monitoring a continuance of the plasma.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring comprises the steps of sensing a current at said output, and generating a control signal in response to said current.