Liquid metal ion source
US12308197B2 · kind B2 · utility
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16Claims
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Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2023 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J27/26
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A liquid metal ion source, in particular an ion thruster for propulsion of a spacecraft, comprises a reservoir for the liquid metal, an emitter penetrating a front wall of the reservoir for drawing liquid metal from the reservoir and emitting ions of the liquid metal, and an extractor supported with respect to the reservoir and facing the emitter for extracting and accelerating the ions from the emitter, wherein the reservoir is provided with advancing means for creating an electromagnetic field within the liquid metal in the reservoir to exert a force on the liquid metal in a direction towards the emitter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.