CHARGED PARTICLE SOURCE Russian patent published in 2025 - IPC F03H1/00 B64G1/00 

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electric rocket engines. Charged particle source comprises a gas-discharge chamber enclosed by a housing, the cross-section of which has the shape of a ring or is formed by two straight sections connected by two symmetrical curvilinear sections, working medium supply unit, plasma generation system in gas-discharge chamber, ion-optical system. Geometry of the gas-discharge chamber is made in such a way that the outlet section of the gas-discharge chamber faces the axis of the source of charged particles so that the normal drawn to the surface of the outlet section of the gas-discharge chamber, forms an acute angle with the axis of the source, which is equal to the value of half the angle of divergence of the beam of charged particles for the selected type of ion-optical system. Source of charged particles made according to the proposed scheme has a weakly divergent beam of charged particles at the output, which reduces losses in creating a directed thrust pulse due to its divergence. When the cathode-neutraliser is installed along the central axis of the housing, an axisymmetric flow can be obtained at the outlet, which ensures uniform control of the spacecraft.

EFFECT: invention increases accuracy of orientation of spacecraft and facilitates accuracy of alignment of thrust vector.

1 cl, 3 dwg