Current drainage to a high voltage probe in a dilute plasma
Electron drainage current from dilute plasma through holes in high voltage dielectric probes
SEARCH · Search NASA
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Electron drainage current from dilute plasma through holes in high voltage dielectric probes
The advantages of using high voltage, direct current advanced power generating systems in fighter aircraft are discussed. Weight reduction is achieved. Efficiency is increased 85 to 90 percent by eliminating the constant speed drive. Power interruptions are eliminated. There are no speed restrictions and no powerline constraints. Personal safety is increased by eliminating the hold on frequency, present in ac systems, which causes muscle contractions.
A dc-dc low-power, high-voltage converter for use in space is described which furnishes a commandable, low-noise dc output in the range of 0 to -7500 V. The converter is suitable for biasing of detectors commonly employed in space astronomy, microchannel plates, photomultipliers, and gas discharge detectors. The converter's reliability has been demonstrated by accelerated life testing under thermal vacuum. The electrical and mechanical design, packaging, layout and fabrication techniques, and tests employed are described.
Calculations are made of the effect of interactions of spacecraft-generated plasmas and high voltage solar array components on an advanced Solar Electric Propulsion system. The plasma consists of mercury ions and electrons resulting from the operation of ion thrusters and associated hollow cathode neutralizers. Because large areas of the solar array are at high potential and not completely insulated from the surrounding plasma, the array can, under some conditions, collect excessive electron currents. Results are given for the parasitic currents collected by the solar arrays and means for reducing these currents are considered.
Health and safety precautions, materials, procedures, and quality assurance controls to be used in encapsulating high voltage electrical assemblies in polyurethane foam
Mathematical models for increasing reliability and reducing weight of high voltage solar-cell power systems for spacecraft
Technical considerations, preliminary results, and fabrication details are discussed for a family of high-voltage planar multi-junction (PMJ) solar cells which combine the attractive features of planar cells with conventional or interdigitated back contacts and the vertical multijunction (VMJ) solar cell. The PMJ solar cell is internally divided into many voltage-generating regions, called unit cells, which are internally connected in series. The key to obtaining reasonable performance from this device was the separation of top surface field regions over each active unit cell. Using existing solar cell fabricating methods, output voltages in excess of 20 volts per linear centimeter are possible. Analysis of the new device is complex, and numerous geometries are being studied which should provide substantial benefits in both normal sunlight usage as well as with concentrators.
An investigation of the high voltage breakdown thresholds for molybdenum and carbon-based electrodes used in ion thruster accelerator grids has been undertaken.
This book is written for newcomers to the topic of high voltage (HV) in space and is intended to replace an earlier (1970s) out-of-print document. It discusses the designs, problems, and their solutions for HV, mostly direct current, electric power, or bias supplies that are needed for space scientific instruments and devices, including stepping supplies. Output voltages up to 30kV are considered, but only very low output currents, on the order of microamperes. The book gives a brief review of the basic physics of electrical insulation and breakdown problems, especially in gases. It recites details about embedment and coating of the supplies with polymeric resins. Suggestions on HV circuit parts follow. Corona or partial discharge testing on the HV parts and assemblies is discussed both under AC and DC impressed test voltages. Electric field analysis by computer on an HV device is included in considerable detail. Finally, there are many examples given of HV power supplies, complete with some of the circuit diagrams and color photographs of the layouts.
NASA's rigorous certification process is being followed for the R2 high voltage battery program for use of R2 on International Space Station (ISS). Rigorous development testing at appropriate levels to credible off-nominal conditions and review of test data led to design improvements for safety at the virtual cell, cartridge and battery levels. Tests were carried out at all levels to confirm that both hardware and software controls work. Stringent flight acceptance testing of the flight battery will be completed before launch for mission use on ISS.
Programable power supply provides regulated output ranging from 2.5 to 2,500 volts. Exponential digital-to-analog converter provides low-voltage analog signal to power converter and to negative and positive high-voltage regulators. In response, converter furnishes voltage of approximate magnitude represented by analog signal, and regulators adjust voltage to precise magnitude. Entire voltage range covered in 169 steps. Total power consumption expected to be less than 2 watts.
Preliminary observations indicate that an ultrasonic scanning technique may be useful as a quick, low cost, nondestructive method for judging the quality of circuit board materials for high voltage applications. Corona inception voltage tests were conducted on fiberglass-epoxy and fiberglass-polyimide high pressure laminates from 20 to 140 C. The same materials were scanned ultrasonically by utilizing the single transducer, through-transmission technique with reflector plate, and recording variations in ultrasonic energy transmitted through the board thickness. A direct relationship was observed between ultrasonic transmission level and corona inception voltage. The ultrasonic technique was subsequently used to aid selection of high quality circuit boards for the Communications Technology Satellite.
Preliminary observations indicate that an ultrasonic scanning technique may be useful as a quick, low cost, nondestructive method for judging the quality of circuit board materials for high voltage applications. Corona inception voltage tests were conducted on fiberglass-epoxy and fiberglass-polyimide high pressure laminates from 20 to 140 C. The same materials were scanned ultrasonically by utilizing the single transducer, through-transmission technique with reflector plate, and recording variations in ultrasonic energy transmitted through the board thickness. A direct relationship was observed between ultrasonic transmission level and corona inception voltage. The ultrasonic technique was subsequently used to aid selection of high quality circuit boards for the Communications Technology Satellite.
Radioactive decay energy conversion of beta particle emitting cerium 144 into high voltage electricity in coaxial cylinder cell
Pulsed or steady outputs up to 20 kV produced by commercial components. Circuit produces adjustable high-voltage output in response to low-voltage input. Output voltage changes approximately linearly up to 20 kilovolts as input voltage varied from 0 to 5 volts. Output steady, or sine wave varied at rates up to 100 pulses per second. Output current about 100 microamperes. Reduction in output-filter capacitance confers additional benefit by reducing pulse rise time.
The basic physics involving the interaction of a high voltage sphere with a LEO-Plasma was investigated via computer experiments. Two approaches were used: the fluid description and the more general particle pushing method. Both techniques displayed qualitatively similar features. Thus, the initial time-dependent response of the plasma predicted by the fluid model, including the initial current surge and sheath formation, the formation of ion and electron density shells about the sphere with a double layer potential structure, and the subsequent propagation of the density shells away from the sphere. The PIC results also displayed an oscillatory character and slightly different time constants for the growth and decay mechanisms involved.
Recently, Lewis developed and demonstrated a high-voltage, 1-kW dc/dc converter that operates from room temperature to -184 C. A power supply designed for use in a NASA ion beam propulsion system was utilized as a starting point for the design of a low- (wide-) temperature dc/dc converter. For safety, we decided to halve the output voltage and power level, so the converter was designed for an 80-Vdc input and a 550-Vdc output at 1 kW.
This report contains an accumulation of publications and analyses aimed at developing guidelines for improving both high voltage and low voltage power supplies for the U.S. Air Force systems command. It is the intent of the report to supply good design and manufacturing techniques for the packaging and the building of high quality, reliable, long-life power supplies. These data are based on the wealth of engineering practices established by design and manufacturing engineers.