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Microthruster Test Rig Design Review Presentation

Erik Mueller Michael White. Microthruster Test Rig Design Review Presentation . Contents. Introduction Problem Solution Sensing Frame Testing Q&A Sources. Microthrusters. Microthrusters produce <1N of thrust ( mN range) Various propulsion systems (standard, mono, ion drive).

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Microthruster Test Rig Design Review Presentation

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  1. Erik Mueller Michael White Microthruster Test RigDesign Review Presentation

  2. Contents • Introduction • Problem • Solution • Sensing • Frame • Testing • Q&A • Sources

  3. Microthrusters • Microthrusters produce <1N of thrust (mN range) • Various propulsion systems (standard, mono, ion drive)

  4. The Problem • Thruster and forces involved are minute • Testing must be done in a vacuum • Must be rugged and durable

  5. Our Solution • Sensing is done through direct thrust measurement • Thruster assembly is suspended via a single pole • Entire device is a vacuum chamber

  6. Overview

  7. Overview Pendulum Mount Thruster Mount

  8. Thrust Sensing - Detail

  9. Indirect Thrust Measurement • Exhaust plume exerts force on a plate Induced Force Thruster

  10. Capacitive Pendulum • Uses electronic principle of capacitance • Needle point fulcrums eliminate frictional losses • Double pendulum plates eliminate mechanical noise

  11. Modified Pendulum: Quadruple Pendulum

  12. Signal Processing • Series of amplifiers and filters used to measure the change in signal

  13. Software

  14. Software • The signal processor will tie into a computer, along with the rocket ignition circuitry and vacuum monitoring sensors. • All three subsystems will be integrated into a single user-controlled program. We are considering Labview at this time.

  15. Structure

  16. Frame • Currently still in the conceptual phase • Strong contender is the suspension design, via a single pole from above • Material likely to be aluminum • Easy to work with compared to steel • Strength is more than adequate for the forces involved

  17. Testing

  18. Testing • Currently no concrete plans are in place • Planning to use a set of small conventional chemical thrusters (Estes model rocket engines)

  19. Questions?

  20. Works Cited • http://www.grc.nasa.gov • http://images.machinedesign.com • www.answers.com/topic/piezoelectricity • http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/xips/xips.html • Traceable calibration of the 3-axis thrust vector in the millinewton range, EB Hughes and S Oldfield, National Physical Laboratory • Direct Thrust Measurement of In-FEEP Clusters, IEPC-2005-235, K. Marhold and M. Tajmar, ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH • Rocket Thrust Measurement For an Estes B6-2 Model Rocket Engine, Peter Hyatt, Jeremy LeFevre, Russell Dibb, Bringham Young University • Thrust stand for ground tests of solid propellant microthrusters, S. Orieux and C. Rossi and D. Esteve, Review of Scientific Instruments, Volume73, Number 7, July 2002 • A Ground Test Rocket Thrust Measurement System, Mary Fran Desrochers, Gary W. Olsen, M. K. Hudson, Department of Applied Science and the Graduate Institute of Technology, University of Arkansas • MilliNewton Thrust Stand Calibration Using Electrostatic Fins, Allen H. Yan, Bradley C. Appel, Jacob G. Gedrimas, Purdue University

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