GAS-TUBE ENGINE FOR SPACE CRAFTS Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC F03H1/00 

FIELD: engines and pumps.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to space engineering and can be used to accelerate space crafts in deep vacuum conditions. The proposed engine represents a three-section axially symmetric metal chamber arranged, partially, inside a magnetic coil with the said sections being electrically isolated from each other. The first section, if seen from left to right, accommodates the gas discharge igniter with a circular hollow cathode, the second section housing an axial-side tubular intermediate anode. The third section houses the main anode representing an elongated cylinder with its right head face closed by electrically isolated output electrode with an axial-side orifice for plasma efflux. The said main anode is fitted inside the solenoid, the output electrode comprising a correction solenoid and making a part of the three-electrode acceleration system.

EFFECT: possibility to apply high potential differences approximating to 10 to 100 kV without breakdown between acceleration system electrodes.