Digital MicroPropulsion

Abstract

Arrays of "Digital Propulsion" micro-thrusters have been fabricated and tested. A three-layer sandwich is fabricated containing micro-resistors, thrust chambers, and rupture diaphragms. A propellant is loaded into each individually sealed chamber. When the resistor is energized, the propellant ignites, raising the pressure in the chamber and rupturing the diaphragm. An impulse is imparted as the high-pressure fluid is expelled from the chamber. On the order of 106 thrusters can be fabricated on a single wafer. Initial tests, using lead styphnate as the propellant, have produced 10-4 Newton-seconds of impulse and about 100 Watts of power.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA520304

Entities

People

  • David H. Lewis Jr.
  • Erik K. Antonsson
  • Ronald B. Cohen
  • Siegfried W. Janson

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combustion
  • Engineering
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Propellants
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rocket Propulsion
  • Rockets
  • Simulations
  • Spacecraft
  • Test Stands
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster