California Institute of Technology

Leanne Su

Dan M Goebel

Jacob B Simmonds

Robert B Lobbia

Systems and methods for a low cost and simple to manufacture gas distributor for use as an anode in an electric propulsion (EP) system are presented. According to one aspect, the gas distributor is a single integrated structure made of a single material, including graphite or steel. The gas distributor includes an annular shape with axial symmetry about a center axis. The gas distributor includes an upstream gas channel region and a downstream gas diffuser region. The gas channel region includes a circumferential hollow region, and two sets of axial holes arranged at respective radial positions. A radial cross section of the gas distributor includes an upstream opening corresponding to the hollow region of the gas channel region and a downstream triangular shape corresponding to the gas diffuser region. A radial extension of the triangular shape axially interferes with the two sets of axial holes.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Leanne Su