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WO2016151609A1 - Système et procédé de propulsion plasmique - Google Patents

Système et procédé de propulsion plasmique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016151609A1
WO2016151609A1 PCT/IT2016/000067 IT2016000067W WO2016151609A1 WO 2016151609 A1 WO2016151609 A1 WO 2016151609A1 IT 2016000067 W IT2016000067 W IT 2016000067W WO 2016151609 A1 WO2016151609 A1 WO 2016151609A1
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plasma
air
magnetic
designed
duct
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Gennaro DI CANTO
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Priority to EP16726438.1A priority Critical patent/EP3275291B1/fr
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/54—Plasma accelerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03H—PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03H1/00—Using plasma to produce a reactive propulsive thrust
    • F03H1/0093—Electro-thermal plasma thrusters, i.e. thrusters heating the particles in a plasma

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a plasma propulsion method and system.
  • this invention relates to an air plasma propulsion method and system comprising an air turbine plant and a plasma propulsion unit, and the following description relates to this specific field.
  • Operational embodiments are known as the high-tech VASIMR Rocket Engine and the Helicon Double Layer technology which will be described below.
  • VASIMR Variable Specific Impulse Rocket Magnetoplasma.
  • the experimental work on the engine has been in progress for more than 25 years and it is performed by NASA and by the United States department for energy research and development in plasma physics and space propulsion technology.
  • the VASIMR uses an inert gas such as Argon, Xenon Krypton. It does not use electrodes and does not have accessory moving parts. As it enters, the gas is bombarded, that is heated, with microwaves and immediately afterwards with high voltage and radio frequency to pull the electrons away from the atoms thus determining an ionisation of the gas. This determines a passage to the plasma state where ions and electrons, both speeded up, seek an original stability.
  • a strong outflow speed (thrust) is thus imposed, for example, not less than 10-30 km/seconds before a dangerous thermal diffusion takes place.
  • the propulsion system comprises an ionic plasma propulsion unit and it consists of two parts: the fluid dynamic part relative to the turbine and the successive electromagnetic plasma part.
  • the invention aimed at the improvement of the plasma propulsion technology has different purposes:
  • thermo-fluid-electrodynamic and ionic-plasma cycle uses a single gas: air.
  • the plasma of the air is a mass in which in the neutral atoms or molecules (diatomic) are separated into electrons and electrically charged ions.
  • the aims of this invention are to:
  • the invention describes a plasma propulsion system comprising:
  • plant 100 for the air turbine comprises:
  • first compressing means 3 designed for a first compression of the air A
  • second compressing means 5 designed for a second compression of the air pre- compressed by the first compressing means 3;
  • first heating means 9 designed to heat the air A previously compressed by the first 3 and second 5 compressing means;
  • a counter-rotating power turbine 10 which can be operated by the air A heated for producing expanded air, wherein the turbine is designed to:
  • the plasma propulsion unit 200 associated with the air turbine plant 100, comprises:
  • a duct 201 designed to receive the residual expanded air Ar discharged by the power turbine 10;
  • connecting portion 202 located between the power turbine and the duct 201 of plasma flow wherein the connecting portion has a decreasing cross-section and in the direction of the duct 201 of plasma flow and comprises a thermal arc obtained using a radio frequency oscillator in magnetic field generated by the magnetic means 13, 14, 16 in such a way that the residual air in the connecting portion subjected to the thermal arc determines a greatly ionised and heated air Ai ideal for the subsequent passage to the plasma state;
  • a laser source passing linearly along the centre of the duct 201 of plasma flow configured so as to accelerate the plasma just generated in the magnetic field B generated by the magnetic means 13, 14, 16, wherein the laser source is configured to emit a laser beam at double frequency;
  • means of discharging the plasma PL generated in the duct 201 comprising a divergent supersonic nozzle 17 with antenna 15 and shaped in the form of a bell where the discharging means 17 in the outlet of the plasma PL create a thrust power PW produced by the propulsion system.
  • the first compressing means 3 comprise a stator 3b and a rotor 3a associated with a fixed shaft 6 of the turbine plant 100.
  • the second compressing means 5 comprise a counter-rotating axial compressor comprising a first plurality of blades pi which rotate inversely relative to a second plurality of blades p2.
  • the starter-electricity generator is designed to produce a three-phase alternating current and is characterised by stator fixed to the axis and an outer magnetic rotor of the Halbach array type fixed to an inner counter-rotating tube 103.
  • the first heating means 9 comprise several series of micro blades 9 counter-rotating relative to each other made of metal alloys which are hard and resistant to heat situated in a circular gap 104 defined by two cylindrical tubes 102 and 103 designed to rotate in a counter-rotation fashion relative to each other with respect to a fixed shaft 6 thus forming, with continuous rotations, a plurality of mini thermal arcs designed to immediately raise the temperature of the compressed air in transit.
  • the annular magnetic means 13, 14, 16 comprise one or more between: magnetic and electromagnetic rings;
  • the system comprises a processing unit configured for correlating the radio frequencies by ionisation, by helicon, by discharging nozzle and by magnetic density produced by the magnetic means and by the solenoid.
  • the invention describes a plasma propulsion method comprising the steps of: preparing an air turbine plant (A) designed to receive a supply of air A from an outside environment and a plasma propulsion unit 200 equipped with a duct 201 for the plasma flow, associated with the air turbine A plant 100 and designed to increase the speed of the air A after a corresponding ionisation and passage of the air into plasma phase;
  • energising means comprising:
  • a laser source which emits a laser wave which passes linearly along the centre of the duct 201 of plasma flow
  • the pulsed thermal arc X is at the inlet of the duct 201 and at the power turbine 10, and is configured to operate at radio frequency with oscillator in the magnetic field B and is combined with a second radio frequency reflected and distant from the first by 90°- 180°, wherein the pulsed thermal arc X is in association with triggering means 11 and 12 identified as a cathode 11 and an anode 12 positioned in circular order, in ordered coaxial position and immersed in the magnetic field B generated by the magnetic means 14, 16.
  • the magnetic means 14, 16 comprise an accelerator with multiphase solenoid 16 equipped inside with further circular magnetic rings of the Halbach array type wherein the direction of the magnetic field generated by the multiphase solenoid 16 in position parallel to the axis of the propulsion tube substantially determines the longitudinal thrust direction of the plasma PL with a helical movement towards the discharge nozzle 17.
  • the step of energising and accelerating the plasma PL using the excitation means comprises one or more quadruple helical antennas 15 with rectangular cross section to energise and accelerate with radio frequency or microwave the plasma PL wherein the radio frequency applied is 2.45 GHz.
  • the laser source which emits a laser wave which passes linearly along the centre of the duct 201 of plasma flow is characterised by an ultra-short and ultra-dense laser wave with double frequency which is greater than the frequency of the plasma.
  • method comprises a step carried out using a computer configured for synchronising or correlating the cyclotronic frequencies of resonance and of repetition in the process for generating plasma with magnetic density produced by the solenoid and to facilitate a process of ionisation and acceleration of the plasma at the same radio frequency.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the propulsion system according to the invention.
  • Figure 1A is a cross-section of Figure 1 along line A-A of Figure 1.
  • FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the propulsion system according to a second embodiment of the invention wherein the parts coinciding with the embodiment in Figure 1 are not numbered to make the specific details of this embodiment in the drawing more easily understood.
  • FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the propulsion system according to a third embodiment of the invention wherein the parts coinciding with the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2 are not numbered to make the specific details of this embodiment in the drawing more easily understood.
  • the invention describes a propulsion system comprising an air turbine plant designed to receive infeed air from an outside environment, and a plasma propulsion unit designed to generate a thrust power, and associated to the air turbine plant in such a way as to receive the air discharged from the air turbine plant.
  • the propulsion system comprises a fluid dynamic stage relative to the turbine and a stage for generating electromagnetic plasma.
  • the propulsion gas in the fluid dynamic stage relative to the turbine, is air; the following description will always consider air as the gas, in particular a mainly diatomic and neutral gas.
  • Air mainly consists of two important gases: nitrogen 78.08% and oxygen 20.95%.
  • Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere; it is diatomic like oxygen, neutral, colourless, odourless, tasteless and plasminogen, and also absorbs heat very quickly.
  • the excited and de-energised nitrogen that is, when the electron returns in a position in the atom in a femtosecond, emits a photon with rows of U.V. ray emissions, visible as blue light.
  • the nitrogen reacts only with the oxygen of the air in the presence of high temperatures and pressure determining the nitric oxide (NO) and the nitrogen dioxide (N02).
  • Nitrogen dioxide can react with water and form nitric acid HN03 which soon becomes nitrate.
  • Nitrates are extremely useful for plants as nutrients and fertilisers to promote growth. Every other type of compound which derives from it is always useful to man and the heating of the Earth.
  • the magnets contribute to producing the plasma, limiting and guiding (confining) and accelerating the beam of plasma which gives the thrust.
  • the research is proposing increasingly more powerful permanent magnets without renouncing the advantageous Halbach array system.
  • the energy saving also prevents possible secondary electrostatic instability effects. After the pre-ionising in order to avoid heat exchanges, which as well as reducing the temperature of the plasma would destroy the container, it is necessary to thermally insulating the plasma.
  • a radial or ortho-radial magnetic structure is created, that is, perpendicular to the flow of the plasma which borders the particles of plasma in a reduced space inside the tubular container.
  • the property of charged particles to follow helical paths around the force lines of a magnetic field is the basis of the methods of magnetic confining/insulation of the plasma.
  • the density of the magnetic field ortho-radial to the horizontal flow lines must be less than the same horizontal lines of the magnetic flow applied. The confinement thus created by the magnetic field limits the number of degrees of freedom of the motion to only one in the direction of the force lines towards the outlet.
  • the electromagnetic accelerators have various embodiments.
  • the fields applied and the internal currents may be stationary, pulsed, or alternated on a frequency range and various ionisation systems and methods for releasing the electrical power may be used.
  • various ionisation systems and methods for releasing the electrical power may be used.
  • the alignment of the magnetic field is tangential to the components of the system; for example, according to this invention, these components are the cylindrical ceramic tube 201 and the helical antennas ( Figure 6).
  • the magnets must have the density suitable for sufficiently absorbing the R.F. waves of the plasma.
  • the intensity of the magnetic field corresponds to the dimensions of the ionisation chamber.
  • the details on the type of magnetic field have very complex affects on the process.
  • the tube may be made of material lined internally with radioactive isotopic with rate of emission of secondary electrons: this increases the electronic density and increases the ionisation.
  • the value of the frequency of the electromagnetic field is equal to or just less than 10 - 30% of the frequency where the electromagnetic field, at the start of the ceramic tube, 201 is maximum.
  • the last circular magnet is provided with a radial magnetic density lower than the other previous magnets so as to favour the easy outfeed of the plasma.
  • a radio frequency which strikes the molecules, the atoms, the electrons in the magnetic field creates inelastic impacts (collisions) of the electrons which significantly increase the temperature.
  • the collisions (inelastic impacts) create mini swirling and energetic flows which unbalance any direction of motion.
  • the electrons with gyrokinetic energy are translated into longitudinal kinetic energy favoured and confined by the divergent magnetic fields.
  • the waist of the laser beam for example laser 2 in the drawings
  • the longitudinal component of the ponderomotive force is the dominant one and determines the formation of positive and negative charge areas, that is, a wakefield electrostatic field.
  • the system according to the invention comprises a supersonic propulsive plasma discharge nozzle 17 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
  • the discharge of the plasma is almost neutral, meaning that there are an equal number of ions and electrons and more simply that ions-electrons recombine to neutralise the outfeed plume. In this way, there is no longer the need for a hollow cathode/electronic cannon.
  • the particles passing in a magnetic field which expands decreasing its density accelerate axially to the expense of their rotational movement.
  • the plasma cools down generating a thrust and it therefore accelerates axially.
  • any additional acceleration may be applied to the discharge cone with an radio frequency antenna, for example labelled 15 in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
  • the detachment from the divergent discharging nozzle is obtained when the density of the kinetic energy, parallel to the magnetic flow, becomes larger the density of the magnetic energy. It is therefore necessary that the gas (plasma) is at the outlet of the duct (necessarily converging) under saturation conditions, that is critical conditions, i.e. at sonic speed (Ml).
  • a significant effect is provided by a small laser already mentioned, labelled 2 in Figures 1 , 2, and 3, which passes linearly along the entire centre of the tube with a strong plasma-dynamic effect.
  • the laser is located in the end part of the turbine axis where the ionisation process starts.
  • the introduction of the laser produces a localised disturbance which causes the moving away of the electrons, which are lighter than the ions, forming electrical fields returning to the starting position, that is, of equilibrium. Due to a strong inertia oscillations are created at a frequency specifically defined as the plasma frequency; this makes it possible to accelerate at extremely high speeds. To obtain an excitation resonance it is necessary for the laser pulse to be ultra-short and ultra-dense and its wavelength must be commensurate with the wavelength of the "plasma frequency".
  • the average force of the laser pulse acts on the electrons, separating them spatially from the ions and generating intense electrostatic fields.
  • the femtosecond laser (the unit for measuring the duration of the pulse) is characterised by the shortness of the pulse in the transit zone it adopts a very high electromagnetic energy density. Precisely because of this ultra-short and dense pulse, interaction regimes are created which are greatly non-adiabatic, efficiently transferring the energy of the pulse to the plasma.
  • An ultra-short laser pulse creates a plasma wave in the longitudinal electric field of which the electrons can be entrapped and accelerated. If the spatial extension of the pulse is of the same order as the wavelength of the plasma an electronic wave (excitation) is generated behind it with a large amplitude with an oscillation of the electrons of the plasma wave around their position of equilibrium in a time which is precisely the period of oscillation of the plasma wave. Where the electric field is higher, the ponderomotive force expels the electrons creating a density modulation with consequent production of an electronic wave of the plasma and this bond with the intensity of the laser pulse gives it a phase speed step equal to that of the laser pulse.
  • the characteristic frequencies of the laser pulses are much larger than the plasma frequencies.
  • the intensity of the laser pulse must be greater than the electromagnetic field which links the electron in the atom of the nitrogen. Only in this way is it possible to obtain an instantaneous ionisation of the nitrogen transforming it into plasma which with the ultra-short laser pulse receives an immediate transfer of energy.
  • the double pulse lasers have a greater potential as they can be collimated in various ways with a optical-acoustic modulator.
  • the first pulse has an energy equal to 10% of that available to the laser; the second pulse, which is the main and the most powerful pulse, starts from a distance of a period from the first and has an energy of 90%; it also has twice the frequency of the first pulse.
  • the double pulse laser does not exceed 200 fs.
  • the pulses must be similar as must the relative frequencies in such a way that their sum constitutes the energising frequency of the laser.
  • the air plasma The air plasma.
  • air has a dielectric resistivity higher than the other gases, diatomic molecule, medium-high atomic weight, and nitrogen is a neutral gas.
  • The is composed of nitrogen + oxygen and it is precisely the oxygen which is not neutral and, therefore, having a dielectric resistance and enthalpy lower than the nitrogen, may release free electrons which allow the ionisation to start and therefore drive the start of the plasma in the cycloidal gyrokinetic carousel.
  • the easier ionisation is obtained by raising the air temperature (standard pressure and temperature) since composites and combinations are created with smaller dielectric resistance and lower effect of emission by recombination.
  • the air is heated using a thermal arc, labelled 9 in the drawings, as an ionising source which moves electrons in the air and produces a flow.
  • the pulsed thermal arc X is located at the infeed of the plasma tube 201 and cathode 11 and anode 12 are located in the magnetic field (see Figures 1 , 2 and 3).
  • thermo arc The alternating of this electric charge (thermal arc) creates a flow variation favouring an electromotive force due to the few electrons produced previously and there is then a discharge of an increasingly large number of electrons due to the impact between the electrons and the neutral atoms (nitrogen) and the current, determining a significant increase in temperature with consequent passage to the plasma state.
  • This current heats the plasma by the Joule effect.
  • Electrons and ions in movement create electric currents and create around them oscillating magnetic fields, that is to say, electromagnetic waves. These electromagnetic waves in combination with microwaves or radio frequencies are absorbed by the plasma and cause new oscillatory phenomena until reaching the magnitude of the frequency applied, becoming a relative resonance energy which transforms into kinetic energy of the particles involved.
  • microwaves or radio frequencies are absorbed by the plasma and cause new oscillatory phenomena until reaching the magnitude of the frequency applied, becoming a relative resonance energy which transforms into kinetic energy of the particles involved.
  • the frequency of the plasma depends on the square root of its density.
  • the density also depends on homogeneity requested from the plasma.
  • the critical density forms when the radio frequency applied corresponds to the frequency of the plasma.
  • the problem remains.
  • This spatial non-uniformity connected to the partial ionisation causes defocussing and the laser pulse focusses until the electronic density is satisfactory.
  • the quantity of laser energy not only feeds the ponderomotive force but may be varied to alter the force of the magnetic fields.
  • the resulting magnetic wave form may be synchronised on the required harmonics.
  • a double radio frequency (or radio wave) or powerful pulsation and a weaker one applied to an antenna in a magnetic field not only causes cross and self modulating phenomena but also a considerable increase in the intensity of the lateral bands associated with those interacting and the pulsation harmonics of the powerful wave.
  • the greater density of the laser (which is very useful) reduces its power.
  • the electron cyclotron resonance arises from the effect of the Lorenz force which opposes the magnetic field by activating a cycloidal flow movement with an angular frequency.
  • the collisions which the kinetic energy produces are only binary and there also exists, in our case, a residual pressure (from the expansion turbine, labelled 10 in Figures 1 , 2 e 3 ) which favours and easy recombination.
  • the optimum solution is to create precise conditions of a resonance between the R.F. frequencies, laser frequencies and repetition frequencies, which work in multiphase and pulsed systems.
  • the solution makes an increase of the magnetic field and the electric field unnecessary.
  • the turbine 10 consists of a fixed shaft 6. It is formed by an outer cylindrical tube which houses two other cylindrical tubes which rotate in counter-rotation. These allow the housing of two rotors which work with the stators fixed inside the outer fixed tube.
  • the initial compression prepares the air for cooling and for the subsequent entry into the counter-rotating compressor.
  • the counter-rotating axial compressor consists of six blade rotors which rotate inversely to six other blade rotors.
  • the outermost rotors have the base distributed horizontally (cylindrical surface) and this is ideal for a better fluid dynamic effect.
  • the technical effect achieved is an excellent compression and a better stability and symmetry between the speed triangles: six + six rotors.
  • the air thus compressed to 10 - 14 etc. Atm (kg/cm 2 ) reaches a temperature of above 400°C and then passes in a gap (circular crown) constituted by the two cylindrical tubes which rotate in counter-rotation.
  • the two tubes have, in their gap 104, other rotors ( Figure 4) with small blades made of metal alloys which are hard and resistant to heat, for example made of HSS3, a very hard special steel resistant to high temperatures.
  • the pressure conditions, the form of the electrodes, the surfaces in contact with the air, the distance of the electrodes, are all variables which condition the final choice of the type of electric discharge applied.
  • the blades are used mainly for increasing the heating of the air up to 1,000°C. In effect, the continuous counter- rotation cyclically moves one towards the another thereby creating the minimum and useful distances for thermal arc triggering.
  • the respective cylinders (tubes) rotate at a total of 30,000 + 30,000 rpm, that is, 60,000 rpm.
  • the arrays of blades-rotors have a further purpose: coordinating the transit of the compressed air which may be defined as a circulation fan or blowing device. The compressed air already partly heated thus reaches the temperature of 1 ,000°C and is pushed to the discharge turbine where during expansion it produces the power to operate the compressor and the electricity starter.
  • the speed of transit of the air in the compressor may be selected between 140 and 200 m/second, the inlet flow rate of air for a small project may be of 1.5 - 2 m 3 /second, the external diameter of the compressor may be 15 - 16 cm.
  • the number of revolutions can be referred to as 30,000 rpm.
  • the increase in speed of transit through the counter-rotating axial compressor may be 10 - 15% from the inlet to the outlet.
  • the discharging turbine is also counter-rotating and has 3 + 3 rotors of blades.
  • a starter - generator is housed having the magnetic rotor outside the stator, fixed to the inner counter-rotating tube 103, with a diameter smaller by approximately 1 1 cm, which rotates at 30,000 rpm, and it is wound around by a pack of graphene and Kevlar fibres with inclinations transversal to each other and linked by a resin. This is advantageous in order to have less weight and withstand the centrifugal force.
  • the magnetic rotor is of the array type as it allows a greater magnetic density towards the inside of the rotor and at the boundary with the stator.
  • the starter generator produces an alternating or even three-phase current.
  • magnets resistant at a higher temperature so as to avoid cases of demagnetisation.
  • the stator is fixed to the immovable shaft of the turbine.
  • the electricity production is greater than 12 kW and can produce up to 100 kW; in the case of graphene, stanene and germanene type superconductors there is no need for special cooling.
  • the air passes through the counter-rotating power turbine which, after expansion, discharges, in fluid communication, in the successive plasma tube and simultaneously activates the counter-rotating compressor and with it the magnetic rotor of the starter-electricity generator.
  • the air discharged in the magnetic tube is still characterised by a residual pressure and a good temperature (500°C can be measured) which is useful and functional for the subsequent ionisation process and for a significant increase in the temperature.
  • the flow at the entrance to the plasma tube, transits in a thermal arc (alternating) in magnetic field.
  • This thermal arc uses a radio frequency with oscillator in the magnetic field and combines with a second radio frequency reflected and distant from the previous one by 90°-180°.
  • the voltage applied is 50 kV - 100 kV and, in any case, not less than 30 kV/cm (the distance in cm is measured between anode and cathode).
  • the pulsed thermal arc X is in association with triggering means 1 1 and 12 identified as cathode 1 1 and anode 12 arranged in circular order, in an ordered coaxial position and immersed in the magnetic field B generated by magnetic means 14, 16 and positioned in an arrangement designed to favour the maximum ionising efficiency; the smaller distance between cathode and anode AK - GAP making it possible to increase the frequency.
  • the previous electrical discharges have produced elastic and non-elastic impacts of the electrons with the ions and the neutral atoms with exchange of charge and recombination exceeding the dielectric failure and creating a continuous triggering of small productions of ions. It is known that the ions of the nitrogen atom return to their position in a femtosecond.
  • the tube which constitutes a thrust axis and which is not conductive is wound with permanent annular magnets or electromagnetic coils or solenoids.
  • the air is ionised at the start of this tube. The ionisation of the air allows the conduction of electric current so that the subsequent step is highly magnetised, energised and accelerated by the R.F. frequency of the electromagnetic force.
  • the radio frequency is supplied to a strip of copper, with a rectangular cross section, wound in the form of a helicoid on the ceramic tube with low permittivity or made of materials with a high rate of secondary electron emissions such as BN, alumina AL203, b4C or silicon nitride Si3N4 and it allows the immediate creation of a plasma which can also be defined as a pre-plasma or cold plasma.
  • the supply system is the Helicon Double Layer.
  • the presence of a magnetic field directed along the axis of the helicon antenna creates a mode of operation with high ionisation efficiency and a greater electronic density than a typical ICP.
  • All the magnets which enclose the "tube" like a crown have important functions in activating the plasma, contributing also to the increase of the ponderomotive force and the confining.
  • the first magnet engaged in the ionisation zone must have a inclination - angle of 20°- 30°, that is, the magnetic flow lines which is are normally parallel to the plasma flow lines are not parallel, but positioned in the form of a cone, with the widest side in the direction of the outlet. This facilitates the confining, the ponderomotive force, the direction of the transit speed.
  • the radio frequency is not the electro-magnetic field which ionises, but the radio frequency.
  • the ions are insensitive to the magnetic field even if when it is excessive they are disturbed; and if this is created in the ionising zone - inside the tube - it improves the efficiency the intervention of the radio frequency.
  • the ions are limited radially by the magnetic fields and entrapped longitudinally by the electrical fields.
  • the configuration of the magnetic elements of the plasma propulsion unit may be of three types as in Figure nos. 1, 2, 3.
  • a lower hybrid resonance heating LHRH is preferred to an ECR for the heating since the hybrid wave not only has a lower frequency but also does not need the radio frequency to coincide with the magnetic field.
  • the greater, if not double, radio frequency necessary for an ECR system produces a significant loss of energy since the excessive heating of the electrons is such that they no longer comply with the unchanging adiabatic and carry away the greater heat absorbed with an energy which is unnecessary and greater than that necessary for a RF plasma.
  • the microwave adopted is between band X and band S (SHF).
  • SHF band S
  • the preferred embodiment is with a microwave propulsion unit and with a multiphase solenoid.
  • the constant application of electricity with sequential phase variation produces a more unidirectional thrust.
  • the direction of the magnetic field created by the multiphase solenoid, in a position parallel to the axis of the propulsion tube, is substantially the longitudinal thrust direction with vigorous helical movement.
  • the continuous basic rotation favours a more centred plasma.
  • the multiphase solenoid is characterised by the possibility of varying the magnetic field in relation with the other electronic conditions are present.
  • the phase displacement may be made by a multiphase solenoid (Fig. 5) composed of six concentric turns axially rotated in reciprocal fashion by 60° from each other and dispensing from progressive R.F.
  • the Array type system of magnets comprises three consecutive stages: 1st stage: 3 poles, 2nd stage: 6 poles, 3rd stage (output): 3 poles.
  • the antenna (Fig. 6) is with helicon, with a rectangular cross section, quadruple and may be double at the correct distance between them at the magnetic fields of greater density.
  • the plasma tube may be lined internally with reflective material. In this way, a more powerful quasi-isotropic confinement is granted, without electrostatic acceleration and the charge-mass ratio may be zero, that is, neutral plasma with quasi-isotropic collisions.
  • the multiphase accelerators act with radial and longitudinal frequency which translates into a vigorous helical movement and with correct frequency— indication preferred for application to the hot and compressed air applies a (lower hybrid wave ) 2.45 GHz microwave (or, alternatively, the nearby waves of the S - X band) suitable for interacting with any gas producing continuous unidirectional thrust.
  • the ultra-short and ultra- dense (SML WFA) double pulse laser (pulsing alternately), excites (as already stated) with a localised disturbance the rotational states of the molecules which are transformed into oscillations known as plasma frequency.
  • the double pulse laser with a suitable repetition frequency, creates, due to the initial delay of the second pulse (of a period), a harmonic spectrum, which can create, if in resonance, a temporary delocalisation of the electrons positioning them in an atomic orbit without the effect of their electronegativity.
  • the quantity of laser energy may vary for altering the force of the magnetic fields thus modifying the wavelength and/or the laser energy and the frequency of the pulses.
  • the resulting magnetic wave can be adapted and tuned in to the desired harmonics or in any case offered by the procedure in progress.
  • the hybrid wavelength resonance frequency is a disturbed cyclotron frequency which has the effect of moving the ion and electronic resonance frequencies in proportion to the electronic density.
  • the cyclotron resonance frequency is characterised by electrical charges or voltages which are much lower than other resonance methods and are therefore easier to apply and control.
  • the computational software is a solution-finding and decision-making tool to support the stabilising performed by means of magnetic fields, for improving the reliability of the process in progress, multi-scale optimisation and fidelity management.
  • the magnets and the parts of the expansion turbine must be cooled.
  • the magnets are located in two positions: those of the starter - generator and those where the plasma is formed.
  • the problem of cooling is resolved by drawing off compressed air from the first rotors which make up the compressor, before the air becomes too hot.
  • the drawing of compressed air is preferably carried out where there is the second rotor of the compressor and on the inner part where there are the rotors with the smallest internal diameter. This air will flow to cool the magnetic rotor of the starter - generator. It will escape from the blades of the turbine where the discharge pressure of the cooling air is slightly higher than the residual expansion pressure. It may also be discharged entering in the blades of the largest rotor - the last of the discharge - of the expansion turbine. These blades have a greater thickness and holes which discharge in the direction of the line of flow of the turbine.
  • Another route for cooling the entire turbine -propulsion system body is by using compressed air which at the mouth of the compressor is channelled and thrust into the gap 102 between the outer cylindrical tube 101, which is fixed, and the other inner tube which rotates at 30,000 rpm.
  • This circular crown gap is crossed by this flow of air which arrives at the plasma outer zone where it can enter until wrapping around the magnets and then discharge to the outside.

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  • Plasma Technology (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de propulsion par plasma d'air comprenant : une installation (100) pourvue d'une turbine à air (A) conçue pour recevoir une alimentation en air (A) en provenance d'un environnement extérieur, et une unité de propulsion plasmique (200) conçue pour augmenter la vitesse de l'air (A) après une ionisation et une conversion correspondantes de l'air en phase plasma. L'installation (100) comprend une turbine (10) qui comprime l'air qui rentre dans l'unité de propulsion plasmique (200) qui l'ionise fortement et l'accélère au moyen d'une radiofréquence ou d'une hyperfréquence dans un champ magnétique.
PCT/IT2016/000067 2015-03-24 2016-03-21 Système et procédé de propulsion plasmique Ceased WO2016151609A1 (fr)

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CN106837724A (zh) * 2017-03-21 2017-06-13 东南大学 一种基于相变的微型推进器
IT201700119429A1 (it) * 2017-10-23 2019-04-23 Canto Gennaro Di Sorgente elettronica di ionizzazione del plasma dell'aria
CN110662337A (zh) * 2019-10-15 2020-01-07 浙江佳环电子有限公司 脉冲电晕等离子体高压电源
CN111226031A (zh) * 2017-07-28 2020-06-02 A·米诺蒂 空间推进系统
CN111452999A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-07-28 北京卫星环境工程研究所 一种适于空间站气体资源循环补给的装置及方法
CN111486071A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-08-04 北京卫星环境工程研究所 一种吸气式电推进器
WO2020209821A1 (fr) * 2019-04-09 2020-10-15 Национальный Тэхничный Университэт "Харкивьскый Политэхничный Институт" Accélérateur inductif axial à impulsions d'anneau plasmique dans un milieu aérien à pression atmosphérique
CN112459924A (zh) * 2020-11-09 2021-03-09 中国运载火箭技术研究院 一种适用于吸气烧蚀组合模式的激光推力器及方法
CN114992074A (zh) * 2022-05-06 2022-09-02 北京航空航天大学 一种磁场辅助式射频预电离型感应脉冲等离子体推力器
US20240392761A1 (en) * 2021-10-01 2024-11-28 Georgia Tech Research Corporation Air-breathing plasma jet engine
CN119095249A (zh) * 2024-08-28 2024-12-06 兰州空间技术物理研究所 一种多原子分子定向流产生装置

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US12129838B2 (en) 2022-07-06 2024-10-29 Christopher Craddock Fusion thruster
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CN106837724B (zh) * 2017-03-21 2019-03-12 东南大学 一种基于相变的微型推进器
CN106837724A (zh) * 2017-03-21 2017-06-13 东南大学 一种基于相变的微型推进器
CN111226031A (zh) * 2017-07-28 2020-06-02 A·米诺蒂 空间推进系统
US12523189B2 (en) 2017-07-28 2026-01-13 Angelo Minotti Space propulsion system
IT201700119429A1 (it) * 2017-10-23 2019-04-23 Canto Gennaro Di Sorgente elettronica di ionizzazione del plasma dell'aria
WO2020209821A1 (fr) * 2019-04-09 2020-10-15 Национальный Тэхничный Университэт "Харкивьскый Политэхничный Институт" Accélérateur inductif axial à impulsions d'anneau plasmique dans un milieu aérien à pression atmosphérique
CN110662337A (zh) * 2019-10-15 2020-01-07 浙江佳环电子有限公司 脉冲电晕等离子体高压电源
CN111486071A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-08-04 北京卫星环境工程研究所 一种吸气式电推进器
CN111452999A (zh) * 2020-04-24 2020-07-28 北京卫星环境工程研究所 一种适于空间站气体资源循环补给的装置及方法
CN112459924A (zh) * 2020-11-09 2021-03-09 中国运载火箭技术研究院 一种适用于吸气烧蚀组合模式的激光推力器及方法
US20240392761A1 (en) * 2021-10-01 2024-11-28 Georgia Tech Research Corporation Air-breathing plasma jet engine
CN114992074A (zh) * 2022-05-06 2022-09-02 北京航空航天大学 一种磁场辅助式射频预电离型感应脉冲等离子体推力器
CN119095249A (zh) * 2024-08-28 2024-12-06 兰州空间技术物理研究所 一种多原子分子定向流产生装置

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