Patent ID: 6396211
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F03H,H01J,H05H

Abstract:
A microwave discharge-type electrostatic accelerator propulsion device comprising:a gas tank filled with propellant; a discharge chamber having an upper end, a lower end, and side walls, wherein (i) propellant is supplied at the upper end from the gas tank, (ii) the lower end is opened from which accelerated positive ions are ejected, and (iii) insulation inner walls are disposed along the side walls; an antenna disposed at the upper end for discharging microwaves inside the discharge chamber and thereby generating a plasma from the propellant; a plasma ignition device for igniting the plasma; an upstream acceleration electrode, as a negative electrode, disposed inside the discharge chamber at the upper end; a downstream acceleration electrode, as a positive electrode, disposed inside the discharge chamber at the lower end; an acceleration power supply for supplying a power voltage between the upper acceleration electrode and the downstream acceleration electrode to generate an electrostatic field therebetween in the plasma, thereby accelerating positive ions toward the downstream acceleration electrode; and a neutralizer disposed outside the discharge chamber for emitting electrons to electrically neutralize the positive ions passing through the downstream acceleration electrode.