ACCELERATED TEST OF PLASMA ENGINE CATHODES AND DEVICE TO THIS END Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC F03H1/00 

FIELD: engines and pumps.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used for tests of plasma source cathodes or those for high-current plasma engines. Proposed method comprises cathode independent fire tests. Here, cathode is switched on many times. Cathode basic degradation parameters are measured and tests are conducted at forced operating conditions. Tests are divided into steps. At every step, one of cathode degradation factors is augmented and cathode is simultaneously subjected to all other degradation factors under operating conditions. Every degradation factor is augmented at least one time.

EFFECT: accelerated test procedure, possibility to analyse the effects of every degradation factor to cathode life.

7 cl, 4 dwg