Patent ID: 9003767
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: B64G,F03H

Abstract:
1. An electric thruster comprising: at least one electric engine including an anode, a cathode, and a gas manifold; a feed system for the engine, the feed system comprising: a high-pressure tank of ionizable gas; a low-pressure buffer tank connected to the high-pressure tank by a means for dropping a pressure of the gas; at least one valve configured to open, close, or regulate a flow rate of gas between the high-pressure tank and the low-pressure buffer tank; and a system of pipes for conveying the gas from the low-pressure buffer tank to the gas manifold of the engine; and power electronics configured to deliver or not deliver electric power to the engine by applying or interrupting a discharge voltage between the anode and the cathode; wherein the low-pressure buffer tank is in open connection with the gas manifold and with the anode and with the cathode; and further comprising means for detecting that a magnitude of the discharge current between the anode and the cathode is less than a threshold value and for interrupting the discharge voltage as a result of making the detection.