The Next Generation of Ionic Plasma Thrusters (BSI MARK 2)

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the development of the BSI2 Ionic Thruster, building on their previous design to improve efficiency and performance. After learning from past prototypes and receiving valuable feedback, they optimized the thruster with modular components, better airflow management, and aerodynamic electrodes. Through multiple tests and design iterations, the BSI2 reached an impressive 4 meters per second in thrust, doubling the performance of the original version. The goal is to eventually build an ionic thrust airplane, with significant progress made, but acknowledging there's still work to be done.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The BSI2 Thruster utilizes high voltage to create thrust without moving parts, improving on its predecessor by being smaller, more efficient, and more durable.
• 🔍 The creator aimed to enhance the design after feedback and competition from peers, particularly after a friend's successful ionic thruster build.
• ⚙️ The BSI Mark II features a modular design, with a focus on optimizing electrode placement and reducing turbulence for better airflow.
• 📏 The new design incorporates a semi-venturi shape in the inlet to improve airflow and reduce eddy currents.
• 🔋 The thruster tests showed significant increases in thrust, with the new design averaging 2.1 to 2.4 meters per second with various electrode spacings.
• 🧪 Experimentation with different configurations of electrodes revealed that parallel arrangements yielded the highest efficiency in thrust generation.
• 📈 The final three-stage design of the BSI Mark II achieved thrust speeds of up to 4 meters per second, demonstrating substantial improvement over the original.
• 🖨️ The use of 3D printing allowed for rapid prototyping and testing of various components to optimize the thruster's design.
• 💡 Collaboration with peers provided valuable insights and suggestions for design improvements, showcasing the importance of community feedback in engineering projects.
• 🌍 The ultimate goal is to develop an ionic thrust airplane, indicating ongoing work and the need for further innovations in this area.

Q & A

What is the main innovation of the BSI Mark II Thruster compared to its predecessor?

The BSI Mark II Thruster is half the size of its predecessor, moves twice as much air, and is more durable.

What inspired the creation of the BSI Mark II Thruster?

The creation was inspired by a friend's successful ionic thruster design in Portugal, which achieved higher velocities.

What are some of the inefficiencies of the original BSI Thruster?

The original thruster had issues with turbulence caused by round electrodes and an open frame design that was not efficient for airflow.

How did the design of the electrodes change in the BSI Mark II?

The electrodes were redesigned with aerodynamic shapes to reduce weight and turbulence, optimizing airflow.

What modifications were made to the inlet design of the thruster?

The inlet was designed with a semi-venturi shape to improve airflow and reduce eddy currents, along with an adjustable inlet for air intake.

What was the average speed achieved by a single stage of the BSI Mark II Thruster during tests?

The average speed achieved by a single stage of the BSI Mark II Thruster was approximately 2.1 meters per second.

How did the author visualize airflow during the testing process?

The author used dry ice and hot water to create fog, allowing for a visual representation of the airflow around the thruster.

What was the impact of changing electrode configurations on thrust production?

Testing different configurations revealed that the original parallel arrangement of the electrodes produced the most efficient thrust.

What was the outcome of combining airflow from a fan and the thruster during tests?

The combination did not produce a linear increase in speed, revealing that fast incoming air limited the effectiveness of the subsequent thruster stages.

What key improvements were made in the final design of the BSI Mark II Thruster?

The final design featured thinner wire for the electrodes, aerodynamic grounds, and a reduced length, resulting in better performance and a lighter overall weight.