DESIGN OF A MODULAR SOURCE CONTACT ION ENGINE.

Abstract

This report covers the design, fabrication and test of a two module engine capable of 20 mlb. of thrust with a grid replacement mechanism. Also included are analyses which calculate the grid erosion rate due to charge exchange ionization, and rocket efficiency penalties associated with high engine weight and off-optimum I sub s design. With the emitter material available for this work representative operational characteristics were: at 4600 sec. I sub s, 62% electrical efficiency and 163 KW/lb.; at 6950 sec. I sub s, 80% electrical efficiency and 190 KW/lb. Propellant utilization was 0.94 or greater. The grid replacement weight is equivalent to a propellant utilization of not less than 90%. Engine weight is 1 Kg/ampere of ion beam. Emitter material currently developed should permit operation with this same engine design at 80% electrical efficiency at 5000 sec. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0608619

Entities

People

  • J. C. Beynon
  • S. G. Forbes

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Efficiency
  • Engines
  • Fabrication
  • Ion Beams
  • Ion Engines
  • Ionization
  • Ions
  • Materials
  • Propellants
  • Rockets

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering