CLOSED-ELECTRON-DRIFT PLASMA ENGINE Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; plasma jet engines, stationary plasma engines, and applied plasma accelerators. SUBSTANCE: plasma engine incorporating at least one compensating cathode 1 and anode unit 2 including discharge chamber 3 with ionization and acceleration zones formed by internal and external walls 4 and 5, respectively, with enlarged-thickness outlet ends 6 and 7, and magnetic system 8 has external surfaces 9 of at least one of outlet ends of its discharge-chamber walls disposed in erosion zone shaped so that erosion surface area of wall facing accelerated plasma flow varies within life period by maximum 5%. Outlet ends may be shaped in the form of at least three rectilinear sections. EFFECT: enhanced stability of thrust throughout entire service life of engine. 2 cl, 7 dwg