Performance modulation of colloid thrusters by the variation of flow rate with applied voltage.

Ryan, Charles, Smith, K. L., Alexander, M. and Stark, J.P.W. (2009) Performance modulation of colloid thrusters by the variation of flow rate with applied voltage. 31st International Electric Propulsion Conference, Ann Arbor, USA. 20 - 24 Sep 2009. (In Press)

Abstract

The effect of voltage on flow rate within cone jet mode electrospraying has been investigated, with particular emphasis on the effect of emitter geometry. Using a high fidelity flow meter a set of experiments investigated the effect of the emitter geometry on the flow rate relationship to voltage, in cone jet mode electrospray. It is demonstrated that there are various parameters that influence the flow rate sensitivity to voltage, including the inner and outer diameter of the emitter, and the emitter to extractor distance. By a simple derivation,
the latter two parameters relationship is explained by the variation of theoretical electric pressure with voltage, as the geometry is varied. The theoretical and experimental agreement has important implications for variable throttling of thrust in colloid thrusters, and could lead to the optimization or selection of a
particular thrust variation.

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