Characteristics of the T-220 HT Hall Effect Thruster

In recent tests the plume current density profile, plume ion energy, and radiated EMI were characterized for Pratt & Whitney's T-220HT Hall Effect thruster. The T-220HT is a high power (6-20 kW) thruster designed for maximum peak thrust. Tests covered a power range from 8-10 kW and discharg...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: McVey, J B, Britt, E J, Engelman, S F, Gulczinski, F S, Beiting, E J
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
AIR FORCE RESEARCH
Combustion and Ignition
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
FLUX(RATE)
HALL EFFECT
INTEGRATED SYSTEMS
Jet and Gas Turbine Engines
LOW ENERGY
MEASUREMENT
PEAK VALUES
PLUMES
POWER LEVELS
PROFILES
THRUSTERS
VOLTAGE
WIDTH
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Summary:In recent tests the plume current density profile, plume ion energy, and radiated EMI were characterized for Pratt & Whitney's T-220HT Hall Effect thruster. The T-220HT is a high power (6-20 kW) thruster designed for maximum peak thrust. Tests covered a power range from 8-10 kW and discharge voltages of 300 and 600 V. Plume measurements at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) facilities demonstrated plume widths narrower than typical Hall thrusters. Half- angles containing 90% of the integrated plume flux were in the range of 27-29. Radiated electromagnetic emissions were measured over a frequency range from 200 MHz to 60 GHz at The Aerospace Corporation. For discharge voltages at or below 300 V, EMI was below MIL-STD 461E limits except at a single peak below 1.4 GHz, where the limit was exceeded by only about 5 dB. Increasing the discharge voltage to 600 V noticeably increased emissions in this frequency range, but these were still generally below MIL-STD 461E. Plume ion energy spectra were also characterized at The Aerospace Corporation's facility. An RPA (Retarding Potential Analyzer) was mounted at a downstream distance of 1 meter and was varied in position from 20 deg. to 100 deg. from the thruster centerline. Measurements generally confirmed the plume profile data taken at AFRL. Energy spectra confirm that the flux at high angles is dominated by low energy charge- exchange ions. Prepared cooperation with AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, 20-23 Jul 2003, Huntsville, Al.