ELECTRIC PROPELLER, METHOD FOR STOPPING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR INCLUDED IN SUCH A PROPELLER AND SATELLITE COMPRISING SUCH A PROPELLER

摘要

This electric thruster comprises at least one electric motor (10), a supply system for this engine (10) comprising a tank (1) high pressure ionizable gas, a low pressure buffer tank (2) connected to the high pressure reservoir ( 1) by a valve (5, 6) and a piping system for conveying the gas from the low pressure buffer tank (2) to an anode (26) and to a cathode (40) of this engine. The low pressure buffer tank (2) is in open connection with the engine (10). The thruster comprises means for detecting that the intensity of the discharge current between the anode (26) and the cathode (40) is less than a threshold value and for cutting off this discharge voltage following this detection. Use in a satellite.