experimental study of the machian mass fluctuation effect using a µn thrust balance
DESCRIPTION
Experimental Study of the Machian Mass Fluctuation Effect Using a µN Thrust Balance. N. Buldrini, K. Marhold, B. Seifert and M. Tajmar Space Propulsion – ARC Seibersdorf Research [email protected]. 1. 2. Machian Mass Fluctuations. Impulse Term. Exotic Mass Generator term. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Experimental Study of the Machian Mass Experimental Study of the Machian Mass Fluctuation Effect Using a Fluctuation Effect Using a µN Thrust BalanceµN Thrust Balance
N. Buldrini, K. Marhold, B. Seifert and M. Tajmar
Space Propulsion – ARC Seibersdorf Research
Machian Mass FluctuationsMachian Mass Fluctuations
1 2
Impulse Term Exotic Mass Generator term
Always negative!
Machian Mass FluctuationsMachian Mass Fluctuations
≈
Mass Fluctuation in a CapacitorMass Fluctuation in a Capacitor
Capacitor Volume
Delivered Power
BallastMass
FluctuatingMass
Mass Fluctuations for PropulsionMass Fluctuations for Propulsion
What if you can make the mass of a capacitor fluctuating and act on it in a direction when it is heavier
and in the opposite direction when it is lighter?
~
Actuator(piezoelectric
material) Capacitor
BallastMass
Power Supply
Thrust
Machian Mass FluctuationsMachian Mass FluctuationsThe DevicesThe Devices
~Capacitor
~Power Supply
Coil
The “Flux Capacitor”
Machian Mass FluctuationsMachian Mass FluctuationsThe DevicesThe Devices
MagneticField
Force
ElectricField
BB
EE
FF
Machian Mass FluctuationsMachian Mass FluctuationsThe DevicesThe Devices
The Tested DevicesThe Tested Devices
Mach-5CMach-5C
Claimed Thrust:
~ 30 μN
Mach-6CMach-6C
Claimed Thrust:
100-200 μN
BBEE
ThrustThrustDirectionDirection
Capacitors are Capacitors are under the coilunder the coil
The Tested DevicesThe Tested Devices
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental Setup
Vacuum Chamber used for testingMaterial: Stainless Steel
Vacuum: 10-6 mbar
Vacuum Chamber and Thrust BalanceVacuum Chamber and Thrust Balance
Thrust Balance arrangement inside the Chamber. Balance succesfully
tested with In-FEEP thrusters!
Device
Sensor Assmbly
Pivot
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupDevice Arrangement on the BalanceDevice Arrangement on the Balance
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupThrust BalanceThrust Balance
Device Mounted on the Balance
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupThrust BalanceThrust Balance
Thrust Balance Pivotand Device Feeding Cables
C-Flex G-10Flexural Pivots
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupThrust BalanceThrust Balance
Optic Sensor and Damping Optic Sensor and Damping Actuator AssembliesActuator Assemblies
Optic Sensor DetailOptic Sensor Detail
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupThrust BalanceThrust Balance
• Principle: Measures the reflection of lightPrinciple: Measures the reflection of light• Only fiber optic parts in the vacuum chamber (no EMI)Only fiber optic parts in the vacuum chamber (no EMI)• Noise: 0.008 µm (DC-100Hz) Noise: 0.008 µm (DC-100Hz)
Philtec D64 Fiber OpticPhiltec D64 Fiber OpticDisplacement SensorDisplacement Sensor
The Experimental SetupThe Experimental SetupDevice Wiring SchematicsDevice Wiring Schematics
Same setup used by Woodward and March. Amplifiers from Same setup used by Woodward and March. Amplifiers from March and original step-up transfomers from Woodward.March and original step-up transfomers from Woodward.
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-5CMach-5C
This kind of behaviour indicates the presence of thermal effects on the feeding wires
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-5CMach-5C
Predicted thrust at 90° phase shift between capacitor voltage and coil current: ~~ 5µN
Zero thrust predicted at 180° phase shift
Thermal drift is still present.
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6CMach-6C
The thermal drift has been reduced re-arranging the wiring and reducing the firing time to 2 seconds
Cap.voltage: 3.2 kVpCap.voltage: 3.2 kVpCoil Field: 250 GaussCoil Field: 250 GaussFrequency: 52 kHzFrequency: 52 kHzCap.V / Coil I - Phase Cap.V / Coil I - Phase Relationship: 90degRelationship: 90degExpect. Thrust: Expect. Thrust: ~~150150µNµN
- Capacitor Power- Capacitor Power- Coil Power- Thrust Trace
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6CMach-6C
50µN Pulse Superimposed
A pulse of 50µN was generated during the firing time by the calibration actuator, to test the response of the balance
- Capacitor Power- Capacitor Power- Coil Power- Thrust Trace
Cap.voltage: 2.5 kVpCap.voltage: 2.5 kVpCoil Field: 200 GaussCoil Field: 200 GaussFrequency: 55 kHzFrequency: 55 kHzCap.V / Coil I - Phase Cap.V / Coil I - Phase Relationship: 270degRelationship: 270degExpect. Thrust: Expect. Thrust: ~~5050µNµN
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsBalance Response to Short PulsesBalance Response to Short Pulses
A series of short pulses was generated using the calibration actuator, to evaluate the balance response at different thrust/pulse duration values
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6CMach-6C
Mach-6C was sent back to Mach-6C was sent back to Woodward to be tested againWoodward to be tested again
Tests in air by Woodward showed Tests in air by Woodward showed a thrust effect possibily due to an a thrust effect possibily due to an
electromagnetic interaction.electromagnetic interaction.The device has been then potted, The device has been then potted, and tested in vacuum. A residual and tested in vacuum. A residual
thrust of 100-200thrust of 100-200µN was recordedµN was recorded
Then the device was sent back Then the device was sent back again to ARC-sragain to ARC-sr
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6C PottedMach-6C Potted
The phase relationship is changing during firing time, expecially at high capacitor power levels. Two calibration pulses of 50µN were generated with duration of 0.8
and 0.5 seconds to test the response of the balance in case of shorter thrust events
Cap.voltage: 3 kVpCap.voltage: 3 kVpCoil Field: Coil Field: 200 Gauss200 GaussFrequency: 52 kHzFrequency: 52 kHzCap.V / Coil I - Phase Cap.V / Coil I - Phase Relationship: 270degRelationship: 270degExpect. Thrust: Expect. Thrust: ~75~75µNµN
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6C PottedMach-6C Potted
Capacitor + CoilEnergized together
Only CapacitorEnergized
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsMach-6C PottedMach-6C Potted
Only CapacitorEnergized
Only CapacitorEnergized (Shielded Cable)
Experimental ResultsExperimental ResultsTest at Higher Frequency / Different DielectricTest at Higher Frequency / Different Dielectric
Expected Thurst: 1 ÷ 6 mNNo thrust was detected within the sensibility
of the used electronic balance (0.1mN)
Dielectric: Titanium Oxide
Series Tank Circuit
Self-contained Device
Voltage: 2.3 kVp
Frequency: 2 MHz
Dielectric: Titanium Oxide
Series Tank Circuit
Self-contained Device
Voltage: 2.3 kVp
Frequency: 2 MHz
Conclusions and recommendationsConclusions and recommendations• Mach thrusters, tested bMach thrusters, tested by Woodward, were characterized using y Woodward, were characterized using highly sensitive highly sensitive µNµN thrust balance used for electric propulsion thrust balance used for electric propulsion
• Our measurements rule out a thrust above 50% of the theoretical Our measurements rule out a thrust above 50% of the theoretical predictions and previous claims. It is likely, that this threshold is even predictions and previous claims. It is likely, that this threshold is even reduced to 10% as indicated by part of our data.reduced to 10% as indicated by part of our data.
• A device operating at higher frequencies and with different dielectric A device operating at higher frequencies and with different dielectric was designed and built at ARC-sr. No thrust of the magnitude was designed and built at ARC-sr. No thrust of the magnitude predicted by the models developed by Woodward/March/Palfreyman predicted by the models developed by Woodward/March/Palfreyman was observedwas observed
• An upgrade of the sensor setup presently used by Woodward/March An upgrade of the sensor setup presently used by Woodward/March to a torsion balance or a ballistic pendulum setup is recommendedto a torsion balance or a ballistic pendulum setup is recommended
• Due to the difficulties in keeping the right phase relationship between Due to the difficulties in keeping the right phase relationship between E and B fields, and thus same operating conditions, the development E and B fields, and thus same operating conditions, the development of a device based on a tank design is recommendedof a device based on a tank design is recommended
• The development of a self-contained device similar to the one built at The development of a self-contained device similar to the one built at ARC-sr is proposed as well, using barium titanate as dielectricARC-sr is proposed as well, using barium titanate as dielectric