Abstract: A method includes producing an electric propulsion (EP) rocket engine. The method selects a core discharge chamber. A discharge cathode assembly (DCA) is selected along with a DCA common interface (CI). The DCA CI is connected to the core discharge chamber and the DCA is connected to the DCA CI. A neutralizer cathode assembly (NCA) is selected with an NCA CI. The NCA CI is connected to the core discharge chamber and the NCA is connected to the NCA CI. An ion optics assembly (IOA) is selected along with an IOA CI. The IOA CI is connected to the core discharge chamber and the IOA is connected to the IOA CI. The three common interfaces: DCA CI, NCA CI, and IOA CI allow for different subassemblies to be connected to their respective common interfaces—for purposes of re-configurability to accommodate changes in operational requirements, or replacement of subassemblies.

Abstract: Ion optics for use in a conventional or annular or other shaped ion thruster are disclosed including a plurality of planar, spaced apart ion optic electrode pairs sized to include a diameter smaller than the diameter of thruster exhaust and retained in, on or otherwise associated with a frame across the thruster exhaust. An electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among a set of first upstream electrodes and an electrical connection may be provided for establishing electrical connectivity among the second downstream electrodes.

Abstract: An electric propulsion machine includes an ion thruster having a discharge chamber housing a large surface area anode. The ion thruster includes flat annular ion optics with a small span to gap ratio. Optionally, at least a second thruster may be disposed radially offset from the ion thruster.

Abstract: An electric propulsion machine includes an ion thruster having an annular discharge chamber housing an anode having a large surface area. The ion thruster includes flat annular ion optics with a small span to gap ratio. Optionally, a second electric propulsion thruster may be disposed in a cylindrical space disposed within an interior of the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for producing very large area and large volume plasmas. The invention utilizes electron cylcotron resonances in conjunction with permanent magnets to produce dense, uniform plasmas for long life ion thruster applications or for plasma processing applications such as etching, deposition, ion milling and ion implantation. The large area source is at least five times larger than the 12-inch wafers being processed to date. Its rectangular shape makes it easier to accommodate to materials processing than sources that are circular in shape. The source itself represents the largest ECR ion source built to date. It is electrodeless and does not utilize electromagnets to generate the ECR magnetic circuit, nor does it make use of windows.

Abstract: A process for testing an impregnated insert of a Hollow Cathode Assembly (HCA) subsequent to every exposure of the HCA to air, and prior to ignition, using a heater and an oil-free assembly having a base pressure of less than 5.0×10−6 torr. The process comprises the steps of: installing the HCA in a vacuum; energizing the heater to a particular current level; de-energizing the heater after one-half hour; again energizing the heater to a particular current level; and de-energizing the heater for at least one-half hour.

Abstract: The design and manufacturing processes for Hollow Cathode Assemblies (HCA's) that operate over a broad range of emission currents up to 30 Amperes, at low potentials, with lifetimes in excess of 17,500 hours. The processes include contamination control procedures which cover hollow cathode component cleaning procedures, gas feed system designs and specifications, and hollow cathode activation and operating procedures to thereby produce cathode assemblies that have demonstrated stable and repeatable operating conditions, for both the discharge current and voltage. The HCA of this invention provides lifetimes of greater than 10,000 hours, and expected lifetimes of greater than 17,500 hours, whereas the present state-of-the-art is less than 500 hours at emission currents in excess of 1 Ampere.

Abstract: A process for thermal imaging scanning of a swaged heater of an anode subassembly of a hollow cathode assembly, comprising scanning a swaged heater with a thermal imaging radiometer to measure a temperature distribution of the heater; raising the current in a power supply to increase the temperature of the swaged heater; and measuring the swaged heater temperature using the radiometer, whereupon the temperature distribution along the length of the heater shall be less than plus or minus 5 degrees C.

Abstract: A process for testing compaction of a swaged heater for an anode sub-assembly of a Hollow Cathode Assembly (HCA), in which a test sample is cleaned, its mass measured before and after immersion in kerosene for 24 hours, and a compaction percentage calculated. A swaged heater is rejected if the compaction percentage exceeds 84%, plus or minus 4%.

Abstract: The design and manufacturing processes for Hollow Cathode Assemblies (HCA's) that operate over a broad range of emission currents up to 30 Amperes, at low potentials, with lifetimes in excess of 17,500 hours. The processes include contamination control procedures which cover hollow cathode component cleaning procedures, gas feed system designs and specifications, and hollow cathode activation and operating procedures to thereby produce cathode assemblies that have demonstrated stable and repeatable operating conditions, for both the discharge current and voltage. The HCA of this invention provides lifetimes of greater than 10,000 hours, and expected lifetimes of greater than 17,500 hours, whereas the present state-of-the-art is less than 500 hours at emission currents in excess of 1 Ampere.

Abstract: A high speed harvester cutting chain has increased cutter height to provide an increased space for removal of the cut material from the saw kerf. The increased height of the cutter links eliminates the compacting of the material cut away by the cutter links between the saw chain and the base of the saw kerf. The foot of the cutter links are flared outward to contact the guide bar rails at a different position than the tie straps to increase the wear life of the guide bar and saw chain.

Abstract: The design and manufacturing processes for Hollow Cathode Assemblies (HCA's) that operate over a broad range of emission currents up to 30 Amperes, at low potentials, with lifetimes in excess of 17,500 hours. The processes include contamination control procedures which cover hollow cathode component cleaning procedures, gas feed system designs and specifications, and hollow cathode activation and operating procedures to thereby produce cathode assemblies that have demonstrated stable and repeatable operating conditions, for both the discharge current and voltage. The HCA of this invention provides lifetimes of greater than 10,000 hours, and expected lifetimes of greater than 17,500 hours, whereas the present state-of-the-art is less than 500 hours at emission currents in excess of 1 Ampere.

Abstract: “The present invention is a process for cleaning a cathode tube and other subassemblies in a hollow cathode assembly. In the disclosed process, hand covering elastomer gloves are used for handling all cathode assembly parts. The cathode tube and other subassemblies are cleaned with a lint-free cloth damped with acetone, then wiped with alcohol, immersed in ethyl alcohol or acetone, and ultrasonic agitation is applied, heating to 60° C. for ethyl alcohol or 56° C. for acetone. The cathode tube and other sub assemblies are dried by blowing with nitrogen gas.

Abstract: The design and manufacturing processes for Hollow Cathode Assemblies (HCA that operate over a broad range of emission currents up to 30 Amperes, at low potentials, with lifetimes in excess of 17,500 hours. The processes include contamination control procedures which cover hollow cathode component cleaning procedures, gas feed system designs and specifications, and hollow cathode activation and operating procedures to thereby produce cathode assemblies that have demonstrated stable and repeatable operating conditions, for both the discharge current and voltage. The HCA of this invention provides lifetimes of greater than 10,000 hours, and expected lifetimes of greater than 17,500 hours, whereas the present state-of-the-art is less than 500 hours at emission currents in excess of 1 Ampere.

Abstract: A hunting arrow has a shaft with a steel tip and a game penetrating two-part fletch. The first parts of the fletch are made of thin flexible razor sharpened steel that are in alignment with the remaining parts of the fletch which are usually flexible plastic or feathers. The razor sharpened steel parts of the fletch insure a large initial wound and faster kill.