Method for making an ion thruster grid
First Claim
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1. A process for manufacturing a carbon-carbon grid element of an ion optics set for an ion beam source comprising the steps of:
- positioning at least two layers of carbon fibers in a crossing or woven array;
embedding the array of carbon fibers in a carbon matrix; and
creating apertures in the carbon matrix between the carbon fibers.
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Abstract
Carbon-carbon grids for ion optics sets are thermomechanically stable under the extreme temperature changes that are experienced in ion thrusters. Screen, accelerator and decelerator grids are thermomechanically stable, lightweight, and resistant to erosion from ion sputtering and have extended lifetimes over conventional molybdenum grids.
40 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A process for manufacturing a carbon-carbon grid element of an ion optics set for an ion beam source comprising the steps of:
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positioning at least two layers of carbon fibers in a crossing or woven array; embedding the array of carbon fibers in a carbon matrix; and creating apertures in the carbon matrix between the carbon fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification