Patent ID: 6448721
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: F03H,H05H

Abstract:
A Hall thruster with substantially closed electron drift, with an electric potential field applied across a cylindrical ceramic channel, such that ions are accelerated and can flown axially across a magnetic field, wherein an electrons drift substantially in the azimuthal direction, comprising of:an applied magnetic field that is substantially axial in the vicinity of the gas entrance and substantially radial in the vicinity of the thruster exit; and a distributor of propellant gas, such that said gas is ionized in said 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 magnetic field.