Ion thruster with long-lifetime ion-optics system
US5924277A · kind A · utility
40Cited by
11References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0043
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Ion erosion of grids is reduced in an ion thruster with a multiple-grid ion-optics system. The thruster has an array of aperture sets in which aperture areas change in a perimeter region of the array. In one ion-optics system embodiment, a screen aperture area is reduced and a decelerator aperture area is increased in aperture sets that are proximate to the perimeter of the array. Prototype tests of this embodiment have illustrated significant reduction of ion erosion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.