Linear gridless ion thruster
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsAlec D. Gallimore, Brian Beal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A linear gridless ion thruster (LGIT) is provided to serve as an ion source for spacecraft propulsion or plasma processing. The LGIT is composed of two stages: (1) an ionization stage composed of a hollow cathode, anode, and cusp magnetic field circuit to ionize the propellant gas; and (2) an acceleration stage composed of a downstream cathode, upstream anode, and a radial magnetic field circuit to accelerate ions created in the ionization stage. The LGIT replaces grids used in conventional ion thrusters (Kaufman guns) to accelerate ions with Hall-current electrons as in the case with conventional Hall thrusters.
Claims9
An ion thruster comprising:
- an ionization stage including:
- a first cathode;
- an anode associated with the first cathode;
- and
- a first magnetic field circuit ionizing propellant gas, said first magnetic field circuit comprising at least one magnet disposed alone said anode and a cusp magnetic field;
- and
- an acceleration stage downstream of the ionization stage, the acceleration stage including:
- a second cathode downstream of the anode;
- and
- a second magnetic field circuit accelerating ions created in the ionization stage.
An ion thruster comprising:
- an ionization stage including:
- linear discharge chamber;
- a first hollow cathode having an open end disposed in the discharge chamber;
- an anode disposed in the discharge chamber downstream of the first cathode;
- and
- at least one magnet on the anode creating magnetic field cusps in the discharge chamber;
- an acceleration stage disposed axially downstream of the ionization stage, the acceleration stage including:
- an acceleration stage gap at an exit of the discharge chamber downstream of the anode;
- a second hollow cathode positioned downstream and towards a side of the acceleration stage gap;
- pole pieces positioned adjacent the acceleration gap;
- and
- a magnet coupled to the pole pieces creating a transverse magnetic field coupled to the exit of the discharge chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.