A MERCURY VAPORISER TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER FOR AN ION ENGINE.

Abstract

A system is described which enables the temperature of a mercury vaporiser to be maintained within plus or minus 0.25C of a preset value, within the range of 210C to 260C. For laboratory use the temperature sensor takes the form of a copper/constantan thermocouple, the amplified output of which controls the duty cycle of an astable circuit. This device is used to operate power switches, or an inverter, to drive current through the heating element of the vaporiser. For use in space an alternative system with a platinum resistance thermometer as a sensor is also described. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0691510

Entities

People

  • B. A. Knight

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Elements
  • Engines
  • Heating
  • Heating Elements
  • Inverters
  • Ion Engines
  • Platinum
  • Resistance
  • Resistance Thermometers
  • Temperature Measuring Instruments
  • Temperature Sensitive Elements
  • Thermocouples
  • Thermometers

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster