Beam direct converter

Abstract

A beam direct converter recovers the energy of incoming ion particles intermingled with neutral particles. An angular cylindrical collector of the direct converter has its lengthwise side substantially aligned with the flowing direction of a beam of neutral particles. Angular cylindrical suppressors are provided upstream and downstream of the collector as viewed from the flowing direction of the beam of neutral particles. The collector is set at a positive potential to decelerate ion particles taken into the collector. Suppressors set at a negative potential prevent electrons produced outside of the direct converter from being carried into the collector. A plurality of conductive pipes are embedded in the suppressor. When the conductive pipes are supplied with current running in the same direction, a magnetic field acting in parallel with the plane of the suppressor envelops it. When, therefore, ion particles enter the suppressor with the emission of secondary electrons, it is possible to confine the secondary electrons in the magnetic field, thereby preventing them from being carried into the collector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.