Design and Stress Analysis of Extraterrestrial ... - The Black Vault

If an external magnetic field is created by the solenoid, then,
apart from plasma acceleration, it leads to the stabilization of
the processes of heating and plasma displacement. The appearing
axial solenoid magnetic field leads to the appearance of a circular
component of force acting on the plasma element and to the stabilization
of plasma particle rotation. The Hall effect on the face and the
more uniform plasma temperature distribution along the radius of the
interelectrode gap ihip'Ovi motor operation, increase its efficiency,
and decrease cathode erosion ind temperature.
The characteristic bunching of the plasma behind t~he cathode.
as it were, extending the cathode, makes it possible to shorten it
somewhat without substantial losses.
Coaxial ,plasma dc motor-with shortened
6cathfaode
This motor consists of a plasma generation unit,.an accelerator,
a fuel feed system, and systems for cooling and electric power
(Fig. 5.4).
The plasma generator unit consists of superhigh-frequency
current inductor 1, discharge chamber 2, and heat nozzlet The
discharge chamber is formed by two coaxial cylindrical shells of
quartz glass welded on the faces to the collectors of the liquid
coolant supply. Usually this is an organosilicon liquid.
The discharge chamber is covered with a copper inductor
connected with the high-frequency current supply. The inductor is
cooled by the same organosilicon liquid. The discharge chamber is
connected with the accelerator by an insulator having the form of
the heat nozzle.
The anode of accelerator 3 consists of two molybdenum shells
connected with a fluted adaptor and cathode 4 of the coaxial type,
which can be cooled and is protected from erosion in the radial part
by its own magnetic field and by the aluminum oxide applied to the
surface.
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