Hall thruster with shared magnetic structure
US7459858B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H1/54
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A Hall thruster with a shared magnetic structure including a plurality of plasma accelerators each including an anode and a discharge zone for providing plasma discharge. An electrical circuit having one or more cathodes connected to the plurality of plasma accelerators emits electrons that are attracted to the anode in each of the plasma accelerators. A shared magnetic circuit structure establishes a transverse magnetic field in each of the plurality of plasma accelerators that creates an impedance to the flow of electrons toward the anode in each of the plurality of plasma accelerators and enables ionization of a gas moving through one or more of the plurality of plasma accelerators. The impedance localizes an axial electric field in the plurality of plasma accelerators for accelerating ionized gas through the one or more of the plurality of plasma accelerators to create thrust.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.