Patent ID: 7518085

Claim:
A pulsed plasma thruster comprising: a power source having an anode output and a cathode output, said power source comprising: a voltage source in series with an inductive energy storage device in series with a switch, said switch having a terminal coupled to said anode output and a terminal coupled to said cathode output; a plasma thruster producing thrust along a central axis, the thruster including: a cylindrical cathode electrode having a continuous inner surface and an outer surface and located substantially on said central axis; a cylindrical anode electrode located inside said cylindrical cathode electrode and substantially on said central axis; an insulator placed between said cylindrical cathode inner surface and said cylindrical anode outer surface, said insulator having an area of preferred plasma formation between said anode electrode and said cathode electrode; said preferred plasma formation area having a film of conductive material; said power source anode output coupled to said anode electrode and said power source cathode output coupled to said cathode electrode; said inductive energy storage device having a plurality of windings located within an axial extent of said cylindrical cathode outer surface, said windings generating a magnetic field along said central axis; wherein upon initiation of a plasma, said inductor magnetic field interacts with said plasma to reduce a radial plasma ejection angle with respect to said central axis, thereby increasing a central axis component of said plasma thrust.