The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 10, 2000
Rainer Killinger, Recklinghausen, DE;
Hans Mueller, Munich, DE;
Helmut Bassner, Munich, DE;
Ralph Kukies, Ottobrunn, DE;
Astrium GmbH, Munich, DE;
Abstract
A high-frequency ion source, in particular a high-frequency ion engine, includes a discharge chamber or container ( ), a source ( ) providing a gas to be ionized, a gas inlet ( ) discharging the gas from the source into the discharge container ( ) to be ionized therein, a high-frequency coil ( ) surrounding the discharge container ( ), and a high-frequency generator ( ) connected to the high-frequency coil ( ), for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field that ionizes the gas present in the discharge container ( ). Furthermore, an acceleration grid ( ) connected to an acceleration voltage source ( ) is arranged at the open end of the discharge container ( ) so as to accelerate the ions generated in the discharge container ( ) in the form of an ion beam emanating from the discharge container ( ). The shape of the discharge container ( ) in longitudinal section is tapered to become smaller toward the closed end ( ) opposite the open end ( ) of the container. Also, the high-frequency coil ( ) at least partly surrounds the discharge container ( ) in the tapered section.