Three-grid accelerator system for an ion propulsion engine

Details Three-grid accelerator system for an ion propulsion engine Three-grid accelerator system for an ion propulsion engine

1994-05-23

1994-12-06

Bertsch, Richard A.

Power plants

Reaction motor

Ion motor

3133591, 315 537, 31511101, H05H 100

Patent

active

053699530

ABSTRACT:
Apparatus for an ion engine comprises a three-grid accelerator system with the decelerator grid biased negative of the beam plasma. This arrangement substantially reduces the charge-exchange ion current reaching the accelerator grid at high tank pressures, which minimizes erosion of the accelerator grid due to charge-exchange ion sputtering, known to be the major accelerator grid wear mechanism. An improved method for life testing ion engines is also provided using the disclosed apparatus. In addition, the invention can also be applied in materials processing.

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