PLASMA-JET ENGINE WITH CLOSED-CIRCUIT ELECTRON DRIFT Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; stationary plasma jet engines and anode-layer engines of electric rocket engine units. SUBSTANCE: engine has at least one compensating cathode with outlet aperture positioned towards accelerated plasma flow and anode unit incorporating annular discharge chamber with ionization and acceleration zones formed by internal and external annular walls, and magnetic system with internal and external magnetic poles; output aperture of compensating cathode is disposed in zone confined on one end with external magnetic pole plane and on other end, with conical surface crossing the line intersecting interface ionization-to- acceleration zone and external annular wall; angle of maximum 30 deg. is formed here between this conical surface and external magnetic pole surface. External pole has annular projection on side of accelerated plasma flow whose end surface is made in the form of cone. EFFECT: enhanced reliability and service life of engine. 2 cl, 2 dwg