US 12,292,039 B1
Ion propulsion plasma cathode assembly
Bernard K Vancil, Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by Bernard K Vancil, Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on May 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/674,317.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/531,252, filed on Aug. 7, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/468,718, filed on May 24, 2023.
Int. Cl. F03H 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC F03H 1/0006 (2013.01) [B64G 1/413 (2023.08)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plasma cathode for in space ion propulsion, comprising:
a gas flow;
a hollow emitter through which the gas flow passes;
an orifice cup, surrounding the hollow emitter and having a portion extending downstream of the hollow emitter, for containing plasma produced by the interaction of electrons from the emitter with said gas flow, said orifice cup having a discharge orifice in the portion downstream of the hollow emitter, said orifice cup containing said plasma in a substantial space between said emitter and said discharge orifice with said orifice cup electrically isolated from said emitter; and
a keeper electrode disposed downstream of said discharge orifice.