Ion beam thruster shield

US3983695A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventor

• John Power · North Olmsted, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 1975
• Grant date: Oct 5, 1976
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05H1/54
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An ion thruster beam shield is provided that comprises a cylindrical housing that extends downstream from the ion thruster and a plurality of annular vanes which are spaced along the length of the housing, and extend inwardly from the interior wall of the housing. The shield intercepts and stops all charge exchange and beam ions, neutral propellant, and sputter products formed due to the interaction of beam and shield emanating from the ion thruster outside of a fixed conical angle from the thruster axis. Further, the shield prevents the sputter products formed during the operation of the engine from escaping the interior volume of the shield.