Patents by Inventor David H. Sowle

David H. Sowle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10755820
    Abstract: A method of using an ICF chamber may include causing a target in the ICF chamber to emit x-ray radiation; receiving the x-ray radiation through a plurality of holes in a wall of the ICF chamber; and absorbing the x-ray radiation in a gas contained in a plurality of tubes that are coupled to the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INNOVEN ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, Jr., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20200161007
    Abstract: A target assembly for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) achieving a high yield energy output. This high gain target has a low Z fuel/shell region which is lined with a thin layer of a high Z material on the inner surface and then surrounds a low density hotspot region. Adding a thin high Z liner to the inside of the low Z fuel shell has many advantages. As the shell region compresses and heats the central low density hotspot region, the radiation will be contained, and unable to leave the core. This will lower the ignition temperature of target considerably (around a factor of 4). A high Z shell liner may also increase the burn fraction of the fuel as well as increase the areal density (?r) of the hotspot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: INNOVEN ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Cornell, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20200027571
    Abstract: A system and method for driving an ICF target with a thermal wave comprising: a target assembly, located inside a hohlraum, comprising a drive region, shell region and central fuel region; wherein said hohlraum comprises one or more laser entrance apertures; wherein said one or more laser entrance apertures are sized according to the shape of said hohlraum and to prevent energy from escaping said hohlraum; a laser assembly to irradiate a laser pulse through said laser entrance apertures; inner walls of said hohlraum to reradiate said laser pulse as x-ray radiation; wherein said x-ray radiation penetrates the target assembly as a thermal wave before any significant hydrodynamic motion occurs within said target assembly during the time in which the laser assembly is active; wherein said drive region is evenly heated to a sufficient temperature to expand in an inward and outward direction; and wherein said shell region is launched into said fuel region to drive said ICF target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: INNOVEN ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Cornell, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle, Adlai H. Smith
  • Patent number: 10475541
    Abstract: A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include directing laser energy into a hohlraum, where a target is disposed within the hohlraum that includes an ablator layer, a shell disposed within the ablator layer, and a fuel region disposed within the shell. The method may also include ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum, and generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer. The method may further include impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave, and compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, Jr., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20190139651
    Abstract: In a system and method for utilizing a non-fissile fissionable shell material in a target assembly for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). In one embodiment, the target assembly comprises a central region and a first shell surrounding said central region, wherein said central region receives a fusion fuel mixture and said first shell is a non-fissile fissionable material having a Z greater than 48. By proper configuration of the high-Z shell's fissionable properties, and the timing, the 14 MeV neutrons provide sufficient energy deposition into the shell that it expands at the requisite rate during the implosion, you can get an intrinsically stable implosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventors: Eric W. Cornell, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle, Adlai H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170229194
    Abstract: A method of imploding an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include directing laser energy into a hohlraum, where a target is disposed within the hohlraum that includes an ablator layer, a shell disposed within the ablator layer, and a fuel region disposed within the shell. The method may also include ablating the ablator layer in response to the laser energy being directed into the hohlraum, and generating a single shockwave that is driven inward through the ablator layer. The method may further include impulsively accelerating the shell inward when hit by the single shockwave, and compressing the fuel region by the inward acceleration of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Connor D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20170229193
    Abstract: A method of using an ICF chamber may include causing a target in the ICF chamber to emit x-ray radiation; receiving the x-ray radiation through a plurality of holes in a wall of the ICF chamber; and absorbing the x-ray radiation in a gas contained in a plurality of tubes that are coupled to the plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Connor D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20170213603
    Abstract: An Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) target may include a case comprising a plurality of beam channels; an outer shell disposed within the case; a propellant disposed between the case and the outer shell; an inner shell disposed within the outer shell; an outer fuel disposed between the outer shell and the inner shell; and an inner fuel disposed inside the inner shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Connor D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20160343456
    Abstract: Cylindrical inertial confinement fusion reaction chambers are disclosed according to some embodiments of the invention. These chambers can include neutron moderating/absorbing material, radiation absorbing material, and debris collection material. These chambers can also include various injection ports, nozzles, beam ports, sacrificial layers, absorbers, coolant systems, etc. These chambers can be used with directional and/or omni-directional targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, David H. Sowle, Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys
  • Patent number: 9287011
    Abstract: Cylindrical inertial confinement fusion reaction chambers are disclosed according to some embodiments of the invention. These chambers can include neutron moderating/absorbing material, radiation absorbing material, and debris collection material. These chambers can also include various injection ports, nozzles, beam ports, sacrificial layers, absorbers, coolant systems, etc. These chambers can be used with directional and/or omni-directional targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVEN ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, Jr., David H. Sowle, Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys
  • Publication number: 20120002773
    Abstract: Cylindrical inertial confinement fusion reaction chambers are disclosed according to some embodiments of the invention. These chambers can include neutron moderating/absorbing material, radiation absorbing material, and debris collection material. These chambers can also include various injection ports, nozzles, beam ports, sacrificial layers, absorbers, coolant systems, etc. These chambers can be used with directional and/or omni-directional targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Innoven Energy Partners
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, JR., David H. Sowle, Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys