Magnetic and Langmuir Probe Measurements on the Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX)

Koelfgen, Syri; Eskridge, Richard; Lee, Mike; Martin, Adam; Hawk, Clark W.; Fimognari, P. J.

doi:10.2514/6.2004-4094

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Later work in this area was dominated by the pulsed inductive thruster (PIT), of which the coil geometry consisted of a flat set of spiral coils [14]- [16]. More recent efforts include Faraday acceleration with radio-frequency assisted discharge [17], [18], plasmoid thruster experiment [19], [20], magnetically accelerated plasmoid propulsion, and field-reversed plasmas studied primarily for fusion applications [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Directly and Inductively Coupled Pulsed Electromagnetic Thrusters

Cassibry

2008

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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Pulsed electromagnetic plasma accelerators and, more specifically, those that are inductively coupled potentially have high thrust density, high specific impulse, and long thruster lifetime since there is limited contact between the plasma and coil(s). One-dimensional electromechanical models of these thrusters, which are important for identifying important relationships among circuit parameters, coil geometry, and plasma, usually make the same underlying assumption about the mutual inductance between the primary coil and induced plasma current, based on empirical evidence. This approach is inconvenient for arbitrary coil geometries and if trying to make comparisons with directly coupled plasma accelerators, such as coaxial plasma guns. A generalized slug model was developed in which RLC circuit equations are coupled to a mechanical force equation. The acceleration term was made to be thruster and geometry dependent, so that the same model could be used to study both coaxial plasma guns and conical theta pinches. The calculated mutual inductance from the coil model exhibits the same exponential falloff with distance as in previous models and experiments. Efficiency (plasma kinetic energy divided by initial capacitor bank energy) and exhaust velocity were calculated for the conical theta pinch coil over a 5-D parameter space. For the cases with highest efficiencies, peak coaxial plasma accelerator efficiencies were calculated under certain operating constraints. It was found that, while coaxial plasma accelerators are generally more efficient, under certain conditions, the conical theta pinch performance is higher.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Directly and Inductively Coupled Pulsed Electromagnetic Thrusters

Cassibry

2008

IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.

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“…While FRC devices originated in the fusion research community, the technology has transitioned to the electric propulsion community in several forms, including: plasmoid formation studies in the XOCOT program [5], plasmoid translation studies of an annular field reverse configuration (AFRC) device [8], the Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX) [10], and the Electrodeless Lorentz Force (ELF) thruster [11]. A diagram of the AFRC configuration is shown in Figure 6.…”

Section: Pulsed Inductive Acceleration Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Air Force Research Laboratory High Power Electric Propulsion Technology Development

Brown¹,

Beal²,

Haas³

2009

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“…5 FRCs for space propulsion application have been previously investigated at the University of Washington, University of Alabama-Huntsville, and at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] These studies have mainly focused on lower energy FRC formation and translation with higher atomic mass gases.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 Investigations at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center have centered on the Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX). 12,13,15,16 PTX produces plasmoids in an analogous fashion to that shown in Fig. 2; however, a conical geometry is used instead of cylindrical.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Magnetic Field Mapping of a Field Reversed Configuration Test Article

Pahl¹,

Meeks²,

Rovey³

2011

47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference &Amp;amp; Exhibit

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Devices that form and accelerate field reversed configuration plasma may potentially be applied to spacecraft propulsion. Propulsion applications require heavy-gas plasma and the fundamental processes for heavy-gas field reversed configuration formation are still not well understood. Pre-ionization plasma properties are known to influence the success and final properties of field reversed configuration formation. In the following study the magnetic field of the pre-ionization stage of a heavy-gas field reversed configuration test article is presented. Initial results show discharge frequencies increase in the presence of plasma from 440 kHz in atmosphere discharges with no plasma to 472 kHz in 33 mTorr of air with plasma, both at an initial charge of 15 kV. Calibration of a three-axis magnetic field probe is completed using EMC Studio. Calibration values for the axial and azimuthal components of the probe are 4.66x10 8 and 9.45x10 7 G/V, respectfully. Magnetic field measurements at 15 and 20 kV are presented. The 15 and 20 kV discharges produce a peak current of 38 and 50 kA, respectfully. EMC simulations using these peak current values produce a maximum axial magnetic field of 632 and 819 G, respectfully. Measured axial magnetic field strengths of MPX at 15 and 20 kV using the B-dot probe yield 640 and 885 G, respectfully.

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Magnetic and Langmuir Probe Measurements on the Plasmoid Thruster Experiment (PTX)

Cited by 11 publications

References 8 publications

Comparison of Directly and Inductively Coupled Pulsed Electromagnetic Thrusters

Comparison of Directly and Inductively Coupled Pulsed Electromagnetic Thrusters

Air Force Research Laboratory High Power Electric Propulsion Technology Development

Magnetic Field Mapping of a Field Reversed Configuration Test Article

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