Abstract: A valve for one-time opening a fluid line for venting a technical system includes an inlet for connecting to the fluid line, an outlet, and a controllable closure arranged between the inlet and the outlet. In the non-activated state the controllable closure closes a passage between the inlet and the outlet. The closure includes a material that changes its phase state in dependence on a control parameter, whereby the passage is irreversibly opened in the activated state.

Abstract: A valve for one-time opening a fluid line for venting a technical system includes an inlet for connecting to the fluid line, an outlet, and a controllable closure arranged between the inlet and the outlet. In the non-activated state the controllable closure closes a passage between the inlet and the outlet. The closure includes a material that changes its phase state in dependence on a control parameter, whereby the passage is irreversibly opened in the activated state.

Abstract: A plasma generator having a housing surrounding an ionization chamber, at least one working-fluid supply line leading into the ionization chamber, the ionization chamber having at least one outlet opening, at least one electric coil arrangement which surrounds at least one area of the ionization chamber, the coil arrangement being electrically connected with a high-frequency alternating-current source (AC) which is constructed such that it applies a high-frequency electric alternating current to at least one coil of the coil arrangement, is wherein a further current source (DC) is provided which is constructed such that it applies a direct voltage or an alternating voltage of a frequency lower than that of the voltage supplied by the high-frequency alternating current source (AC) to at least one coil of the coil arrangement.

Abstract: A device for coupling ionization energy into an ion or electron source, which is excited inductively or inductively-capacitively is provided. The device includes: a discharge vessel for a gas, which is to be ionized; a coupling coil, which is wound around the discharge vessel and feeds in a high frequency energy, which is required for plasma excitation; a coupling capacitor, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil; a high frequency generator, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil. The high frequency generator forms, together with the at least one coupling capacitor, a resonant circuit. The high frequency generator includes a PLL controller for automatic impedance matching of the resonant circuit, so that the resonant circuit can be driven at a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A plasma generator having a housing surrounding an ionization chamber, at least one working-fluid supply line leading into the ionization chamber, the ionization chamber having at least one outlet opening, at least one electric coil arrangement which surrounds at least one area of the ionization chamber, the coil arrangement being electrically connected with a high-frequency alternating-current source (AC) which is constructed such that it applies a high-frequency electric alternating current to at least one coil of the coil arrangement, is wherein a further current source (DC) is provided which is constructed such that it applies a direct voltage or an alternating voltage of a frequency lower than that of the voltage supplied by the high-frequency alternating current source (AC) to at least one coil of the coil arrangement.

Abstract: A device for coupling ionization energy into an ion or electron source, which is excited inductively or inductively-capacitively is provided. The device includes: a discharge vessel for a gas, which is to be ionized; a coupling coil, which is wound around the discharge vessel and feeds in a high frequency energy, which is required for plasma excitation; a coupling capacitor, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil; a high frequency generator, which is electrically coupled to the coupling coil. The high frequency generator forms, together with the at least one coupling capacitor, a resonant circuit. The high frequency generator includes a PLL controller for automatic impedance matching of the resonant circuit, so that the resonant circuit can be driven at a resonant frequency.

Abstract: A high-frequency ion source, in particular a high-frequency ion engine, includes a discharge chamber or container (2), a source (9) providing a gas to be ionized, a gas inlet (10) discharging the gas from the source into the discharge container (2) to be ionized therein, a high-frequency coil (3) surrounding the discharge container (2), and a high-frequency generator (4) connected to the high-frequency coil (3), for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field that ionizes the gas present in the discharge container (2). Furthermore, an acceleration grid (11) connected to an acceleration voltage source (12) is arranged at the open end of the discharge container (2) so as to accelerate the ions generated in the discharge container (2) in the form of an ion beam emanating from the discharge container (2). The shape of the discharge container (2) in longitudinal section is tapered to become smaller toward the closed end (6) opposite the open end (5) of the container.