Open AccessImprovements in miniaturized Hall Thrusters by use of high-temperature SmCo magnets and additive manufacturing techniques
Author(s) -
A. Olano,
Junxue Ren,
G Zhang,
Hongxiao Tang,
T Zhang,
J Li
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/576/1/012002
Subject(s) - miniaturization , propellant , magnet , propulsion , anode , mechanical engineering , magnetic field , materials science , field (mathematics) , aerospace engineering , computer science , automotive engineering , electrical engineering , nanotechnology , engineering , physics , electrode , quantum mechanics , mathematics , pure mathematics
This work presents the difficulties associated with the miniaturization of Hall Thruster engines and how state of the art materials and new manufacture techniques can potentially solve these problems. Hall Thrusters are electric propulsion systems that require specific magnetic field topography and uniform propellant distribution for optimal operation which is difficult to achieve with typical materials and by conventional manufacturing methods in miniaturized engines. To keep the optimal magnetic field distribution at small thruster sizes, it is shown that new alloys of SmCo permanent magnets can generate the desired magnetic field distribution and that their high-temperature resistance properties assure its operation temperature will be under the maximum operational temperature. In addition, whereas for the small dimensions required for the anode traditional manufacture methods only allow for simple designs, it is explained how the implementation of 3D-printing techniques can improve the uniformity in the azimuthal distribution of the propellant by allowing complex geometries in the design of the anode that are unattainable with traditional manufacturing.