US 12,334,310 B2
High current heaterless hollow cathode
Dan M. Goebel, Tarzana, CA (US); and Adele R. Payman, Pasadena, CA (US)
Assigned to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed by CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/339,194.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/359,136, filed on Jul. 7, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0014014 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H01J 37/32 (2006.01); F03H 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC H01J 37/32596 (2013.01) [F03H 1/0075 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A high current heaterless hollow cathode, comprising:
a cathode tube having an inner cylindrical hollow space that defines a longitudinal extension of the high current heaterless hollow cathode;
a thermionic emitter arranged in a downstream region of the inner cylindrical hollow space of the cathode tube; and
a propellant feed tube that longitudinally extends from an upstream region of the inner cylindrical hollow space of the cathode tube into an inner volume of the thermionic emitter.