CATHODE OF PLASMA ACCELERATOR (VERSIONS) Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC H05H1/54 

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: plasma accelerator cathode as per the first version comprises an ignition electrode made as a cup with outlet holes which embraces an emitter unit, the emitters of the latter are united by a common case and are made as hollow cylindrical bushes with a membrane installed on the working medium outlet side. A hole is provided in the membrane opposite every emitter, the axes of the emitters and the holes in the membrane are matched. The axis of any outlet hole in the ignition electrode base does not match the axis of every hole in the emitter unit membrane. The number of outlet holes in the ignition electrode base can coincide with the number of holes in the membrane. Additionally one outlet hole can be made in the ignition electrode base. Bosses can be provided on the outer end face surface of the emitter unit membrane in the zones located opposite the holes of the ignition electrode. The second invention version implies that the holes for working medium outlet are set on the side surface of the ignition electrode. Herewith the axes of the outlet holes of the ignition electrode can be not crossing the symmetry axis of the ignition electrode. Additionally the outer end face surface of the emitter unit can be protected by a housing. The housing is made from the material with increased resistance to spraying of high-energy particles, for example, from carbon.

EFFECT: longer service life of a cathode due to lower damage to the walls of emitter unit's membrane holes caused by high-energy ions from plasma placed outside the cathode.

7 cl, 3 dwg