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:
Feb. 11, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1999
Steven D. Meyer, Snohomish, WA (US);
David Q. King, Woodinville, WA (US);
Aerojet-General Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for using a magnetic field generated by a thruster magnet to control electron current emitted by a cathode assembly. The magnetic field reduces leakage current drawn by an inactive anode by producing a magnetic field in proximity to the inactive anode. This magnetic field increases the impedance to the anode for electron current which is produced in the cathode assembly. This reduction in leakage current reduces the amount of electron current produced by the cathode assembly. This control system can be implemented by connecting all thruster anodes and cathodes in parallel to an anode power supply.