Proceedings ArticleDOI
Numerical modeling of a vortex stabilized arcjet thruster
Theo G. Keith,Gary E. Pawlas +1 more
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In this paper, a numerical method to solve the equations governing a vortex stabilized arcjet thruster is developed, which will allow the effects of swirling flow and geometry on arcjet performance to be determined.Abstract:
A numerical method to solve the equations governing a vortex stabilized arcjet thruster is being developed. The model will allow the effects of swirling flow and geometry on arcjet thruster performance to be determined. The propellant flow equations, i.e., the axisymmetric, thin layer, Navier-Stokes equations, are solved using a Gauss-Siedel line-relaxation procedure. An implicit FTCS method is used to solve the electromagnetic field equations. A grid generation scheme was developed for an arbitrary arcjet geometry. The model will allow the radial and axial components of velocity and current distributions to be determined from a region upstream of the cathode, through the constrictor, to the exit plane of the nozzle.read more
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Proceedings ArticleDOI
Analysis of a swirl stabilized arcjet thruster
Theo G. Keith,Gary E. Pawlas +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of swirl and viscosity on low Reynolds number flows is shown by examining integral parameters and flowfield details, and an implicit technique is used to solve the axisymmetric Thin Layer Naiver-Stokes equations.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Direct Control of the Grid Point Distribution in Meshes Generated by Elliptic Equations
P. D. Thomas,J. F. Middlecoff +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, an effective method of interior grid control is presented based on a modified elliptic system containing free parameters for a simply connected region, the free parameters are computed from the Dirichlet boundary values.
An Experimental Investigation of an Arcjet Thruster Exhaust Using Langmuir Probes
TL;DR: In this paper, a laboratory arcjet thruster was used to simulate fully decomposed hydrazine in a vacuum environment with background pressures less than 5 x 10 to the -2 Pa.
Proceedings ArticleDOI
The NASA/USAF arcjet research and technology program
James R. Stone,Edward S. Huston +1 more
TL;DR: The arcjet system and its elements of commonality with state-of-the-art resistojet systems offer a relatively low risk transition to these enhanced levels of performance for low power (0.5 to 1.5 kW) station keeping applications as discussed by the authors.