Patent · US Active

Ion thruster for thrust vectored propulsion of a spacecraft

US11905936B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
3References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 2019
Grant dateFeb 20, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 23, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF03H1/0037
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The disclosed subject matter relates to an ion thruster for thrust vectored propulsion of a spacecraft, comprising a reservoir for a propellant, an emitter having a base and, on one side of the base, at least one outlet for emitting ions of the propellant, wherein the base is connected to the reservoir for providing flow of propellant from the reservoir to said at least one outlet, and an extractor facing said one side of the emitter for extracting and accelerating the ions from the emitter, wherein the extractor is split into sectors about an axis which orthogonally runs through said one side of the emitter, wherein said sectors are electrically insulated from one another.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.