Abstract: An electron gun includes: a cathode, which has a cathode holder and a cathode body; and a Wehnelt cylinder. The cathode holder receives the cathode body and the Wehnelt cylinder is suitable for bundling free electrons, which can escape from the cathode body toward the Wehnelt cylinder, to form an electron beam. The Wehnelt cylinder is interlockingly arranged, at least in some parts along a first inner surface facing the cathode holder, on an outer surface of the cathode holder and at least partly extends around the cathode holder.

Abstract: For a plasma accelerator arrangement in particular for use as an ion thruster in a spacecraft, a structure is proposed in connection with which an accelerated electron beam is admitted into an ionization chamber with fuel gas, and is guided through the ionization chamber in the form of a focused beam against an electric deceleration field, said electric deceleration field acting at the same time as an acceleration field for the fuel ions produced by ionization. The arrangement generates a focused beam of a largely neutral plasma with a high degree of efficiency. Configurations for electric and magnetic fields for guiding and focusing the beams are given by way of example.

Abstract: A gas generator for passive restraint systems in motor vehicles. The generator includes a lower shell part having a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall coaxial with the cylindrical inner wall, the lower shell part further including first mechanical latch elements disposed on each of its inner wall and outer wall. An upper shell part of the gas generator has a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall coaxial with the cylindrical inner wall, the upper shell part further including second mechanical latch elements disposed on each of its inner wall and outer wall. The upper shell part is assembled with the lower shell part such that the first mechanical latch elements and the second mechanical latch elements are latched to one another.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for vehicle safety, systems, in particular airbag inflating and seat belt tensioning systems or pyrotechnical isolating switches for disconnecting the vehicle electrical system from the vehicle battery in the event of an impact accident, is described, whereby a moving piston is provided to destroy the bursting diaphragm which closes off the compressed gas container. This piston is moved towards the bursting diaphragm by igniting an ignition system whereby according to this invention the piston has a flange-shaped projection which is located against a shoulder on the internal surface of a sleeve facing the piston and is designed such that when the ignition system is ignited the flange-shaped projection shears off. Advantageously, the operating pressure in the combustion chamber of the hybrid gas generator according to this invention can thus be determined by the area of the shearing surface on the flange-shaped projection.