公开(公告)号：US3610985A

公开(公告)日：1971-10-05

申请号：US3610985D

申请日：1970-11-09

Applicant: HUGHES AIRCRAFT CO

Inventor： FLEMING WAYNE P ,  THOMPSON STEPHEN A

IPC: H01J27/08 ,  H01J17/26 ,  H01J27/00 ,  H05H1/00

CPC classification number: H01J27/08

Abstract: The ion source comprises a discharge chamber in which is located a tubular anode. A knife-edged cathode is mounted closely adjacent one edge of the anode to provide arc electrons for ionization of a fuel passing through the chamber. An axial magnetic field controls electron path length to provide optimum ionization. Alternatively, a hot wire cathode may be located interiorly of the discharge chamber to produce electrons by thermionic emission, thereby creating a Penning discharge. The electron source employed is chosen in accordance with the fuel to be ionized, the desired ion current level, and the desired lifetime of the ion source.