Patent ID: 6777862
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: F03H,H05H

Abstract:
A Hall thruster with closed electron drift, with a substantially axial electric field applied across a coaxial channel, with substantially radial magnetic fields applied across said channel, such that ions are accelerated and can flow axially across said magnetic field, but such that electrons drift substantially in the azimuthal direction, comprising of:an annular channel, said channel formed between an outer wall that forms an outer cylindrical structure and an inner wall that forms an inner cylindrical structure, with said inner and outer walls made of an insulator material; and a distributor of propellant gas, such that said gas is ionized in channel and then said ions are accelerated by said electric field; and an anode, near the point of entry of the propellant gas into the channel; and a cathode-neutralizer, located outside said channel, that both neutralizes said ion flow and establishes total accelerating voltage of said ions; and a magnetic circuit that produces said substantially radial magnetic field; and electrode segments of conducting material, placed along said channel, separated electrically by spacers of dielectric material; and an electric circuit holding said electrode segments at specific potentials, so as to control the axial potential within the thruster channel.