ION ACCELERATION METHOD AND DEVICE Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: plasma engineering; rocket engines including plasma accelerators. SUBSTANCE: closed-electron-drift plasma accelerator designed for operation in space vehicles as well as for orbit correction and positioning of space equipment, and also for use in other industries such as electronics, for ion decontamination, milling, production of miscellaneous coatings, and for vacuum metallurgy has acceleration channel enclosed between inner and outer walls. Anode is placed in channel in vicinity of its closed end. Cathode is mounted beyond the channel. Collector is built up of three independent sections unevenly fed in azimuth with working medium over separate lines while superimposing magnetic field inhomogeneous in azimuth. In addition, magnetic field homogeneous in azimuth is superimposed within acceleration zone which deflects magnetic lines of force from radial direction and/or changes its magnitude and configuration. Magnetic system that has internal and three-section external magnetic sub-systems incorporates internal magnetic sub-system pole and external magnetic system poles, as well as magnetomotive force sources enabling production of magnetic field in channel; this field is symmetrical relative to plasma accelerator axis with its maximum in acceleration zone near outlet cut and to lines of force tilted through angle α. to plane perpendicular to plasma accelerator axis. Internal and external magnetic sub-systems are interconnected through magnetic circuit. Internal and external magnetic sub-systems have additional sources of magnetomotive force made in the form of axisymmetric magnetic coils energized irrespective of discharge. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities in efficient control of engine performance to ensure desired characteristics of thrust vector. 7 cl, 2 dwg