公开(公告)号：US20210071650A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-11

申请号：US16771737

申请日：2017-12-12

Applicant: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems LTD.

Inventor： Dan LEV ,  Demitiri MIKITCHUK ,  Alon GAL

IPC: F03H1/00 ,  H05H1/54 ,  H01J27/02

Abstract: A heaterless hollow cathode provides electron emission current in an electric space propulsion system. A mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic design of the cathode apparatus is presented, and a method of operation for rapid ignition and stabilization of the cathode is provided. The keeper of the cathode apparatus has a thickness change which reduces the flow of heat away from the cathode's emitter assembly. The method for heating the emitter assembly includes controlling applied voltages so that the current flowing from the emitter assembly to the keeper is maintained at a predetermined fixed value. By this method, damage to the electron emitting surfaces of the emitter assembly by electric arcing and/or by depletion of dopant materials is avoided.