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Arcjet Nozzle Design ImpactsThe effect of nozzle configuration on the operating characteristics of a low power dc arcjet thruster was determined. A conical nozzle with a 30 deg converging angle, a 20 deg diverging angle, and an area ratio of 225 served as the baseline case. Variations on the geometry included bell-shaped contours both up and downstream, and a downstream trumpet-shaped contour. The nozzles were operated over a range of specific power near that anticipated for on-orbit operation. Mass flow rate, thrust, current, and voltage were monitored to provide accurate comparisons between nozzles. The upstream contour was found to have minimal effect on arcjet operation. It was determined that the contour of the divergent section of the nozzle, that serves as the anode, was very important in determining the location of arc attachment, and thus had a significant impact on arcjet performance. The conical nozzle was judged to have the optimal current/voltage characteristics and produced the best performance of the nozzles tested.
Document ID
19900009162
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Curran, Francis M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Sovie, Amy J. (Ohio Univ. Athens, OH, United States)
Haag, Thomas W. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Johns Hopkins Univ., The 1989 JANNAF Propulsion Meeting, Volume 1
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
90N18478
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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