Patent US2163391A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3610985A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3610985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ion source having two operative cathodes
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne P Fleming
- 👤 Stephen A Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J27/00; H01J27/02; H01J27/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An ion source, said ion source comprising: an ion chamber having a first end and an ion outlet end, ion optic means at said ion outlet end of said chamber for extracting ions from said ion chamber; an anode supported within said ion chamber, said anode being a cylindrical tube having first and second open ends; a first cathode positioned within said anode, said first cathode being in the form of a wire adapted to be heated to emit electrons, a second cathode positioned adjacent said first end of said anode, said second cathode being ring-shaped and positioned in spaced edge-to-edge relationship with said first end of said anode, said second cathode having a sharp edge closely adjacent said first end of said anode so that, upon application of a voltage between said anode and said second cathode, an electric discharge occurs between said sharp ring edge of said second cathode and said first end of said anode and electrons are formed in the discharge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An ion source, said ion source comprising: an ion chamber having a first end and an ion outlet end, ion optic means at said ion outlet end of said chamber for extracting ions from said ion chamber; an anode supported within said ion chamber, said anode being a cylindrical tube having first and second open ends; a first cathode positioned within said anode, said first cathode being in the form of a wire adapted to be heated to emit electrons, a second cathode positioned adjacent said first end of said anode, said second cathode being ring-shaped and positioned in spaced edge-to-edge relationship with said first end of said anode, said second cathode having a sharp edge closely adjacent said first end of said anode so that, upon application of a voltage between said anode and said second cathode, an electric discharge occurs between said sharp ring edge of said second cathode and said first end of said anode and electrons are formed in the discharge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The ion source of claim 1 wherein said source comprises a main support ring, a cylindrical tube mounted within said main support ring, said tube forming the outer wall of said discharge chamber, a cover mounted on one end of said discharge chamber-defining tube, an opening in said cover, said cover and said opening forming a screen electrode for the extraction of ions from said chamber, said anode being supported by said chamber-defining tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The ion source of claim 2 wherein said anode support comprises first and second insulative tubes respectively positioned interiorly and exteriorly of said chamber-defining tube, a cap over said second insulative tube and securing means extending through said cap and said chamber-defining tube and secured to said anode to insulatively support said anode with respect to said chamber-defining tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The ion source of claim 2 wherein a rear cover is mounted on said main support rIng, said rear cover carrying said second cathode thereon, a fuel supply port located in said rear cover, said fuel support port being connected to discharge fuel into the interior of said chamber through the interior of said second cathode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ion source of claim 4 wherein said first cathode is also secured to said rear cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ion source of claim 5 wherein a first set of insulative posts is mounted upon said first set of support posts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ion source of claim 6 wherein a second set of insulative support posts is mounted upon said support ring, and a decel electrode is mounted upon said second set of insulative support posts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The ion source of claim 7 wherein said insulative support posts comprise an insulative cylinder and a support tube mounted on each end of said insulative cylinder and secured thereto, said support tubes being respectively secured to said main support ring and to said electrode, a shield mounted upon one of said support tubes and extending part way along said insulative cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The ion source of claim 1 wherein said ion optic means comprises: a first electrode mounted at the outlet end of said ion chamber and having opening for passage of an ion beam; second and third electrodes positioned away from said first electrode, each of said second and third electrodes having an opening therethrough, said second and third electrodes being positioned along the ion beam so that the beam passes through openings therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ion source of claim 9 wherein one of said electrodes has a coolant chamber therein, connection means connected to said coolant chamber for the circulation of coolant through said coolant chamber for cooling of the electrode containing said coolant chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The ion source of claim 10 wherein said second electrode has a cylindrical tube positioned axially along the beam path for defining the opening therethrough and has a front plate to which said tube is secured, said tube and said front plate forming walls of said coolant chamber, said second electrode being formed of material suitable for use at cryogenic temperatures so that liquid nitrogen can be employed as a coolant in said coolant chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |