ION PROPULSION ENGINE, METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF AND CORONA FORMING ELECTRODE Russian patent published in 2021 - IPC F02K9/00 F03H1/00 

FIELD: engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to ion propulsion engines. The proposed engine is comprised of a chamber containing a head and a cylindrical part whereto a magnetic plasma accelerator and further a supersonic gas-dynamic nozzle with a converging and an expanding parts are connected, a means of creating a corona forming discharge, interconnected and located coaxially. The means for creating a corona forming discharge is made in form of a corona forming electrode installed in the head along the axis of the chamber and a magnetic accelerator. An accelerating electrode is installed inside the chamber. A compensation electrode is installed at the outlet end of the supersonic gas-dynamic nozzle. The chamber and the nozzle are made with a cooling gap between the "cold" and the "hot" walls. The cavity of the gap is connected with a propellant collector installed concentrically to the outlet end of the supersonic gas-dynamic nozzle. Laser ignition plugs are installed in the cavity of the corona forming electrode. The corona forming electrode of the ion propulsion engine is comprised of a body with a cold and a hot ends and emitting protrusions thereof. The body is made hollow in form of a truncated cone, and several laser ignition plugs are installed in the cavity thereof, wherein the focuses of the plugs are located on the heated surface of the hot end, wherein on the opposite side of the end the emitting protrusions are made. Connecting holes are made on the side wall of the body for passage of the propellant into the cavity of the body, wherein the propellant nozzles are on the hot end. The emitting protrusions of the corona forming electrode are made conical or in form of concentric annular protrusions.

EFFECT: proposed is a construction of an ion propulsion engine.

6 cl, 13 dwg