Patents Assigned to Advanced Fusion Systems, LLC
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Patent number: 12285753Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel with a main chamber, comprises inlets for feedstock, a fluidizing medium and reactants. The UCP further includes a reactive X-ray chemical processor (RXCP) having a large area hollow cylindrical cold cathode in the main chamber, a grid positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode, and an anode positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode and grid. In operation, when activated, the cathode of the RXCP emits electrodes onto the anode, which then emits X-rays into a radiation zone within the main chamber capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing organic materials within the radiation zone, and wherein, a fluidized bed is supported in the main chamber when the fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied. The RXCP and the fluidized bed portions can be operated separately or in conjunction to achieve unanticipated results.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Patent number: 12104223Abstract: A method for beneficiation of mineralogical materials that comprises using a one or more of a suite of processes including fluidized bed separation, plasma-based stimulation or enhancement of chemical reactions using a Reactive X-Ray Chemical Processor, field enhancement of chemical reactions and process and drying. All of the processes can be used singly, jointly, simultaneously or sequentially in multiple stages. The methods are nearly non-polluting and serve to replace polluting wet chemistry and other beneficiation techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Publication number: 20240301531Abstract: A method for beneficiation of mineralogical materials that comprises using a one or more of a suite of processes including fluidized bed separation, plasma-based stimulation or enhancement of chemical reactions using a Reactive X-Ray Chemical Processor, field enhancement of chemical reactions and process and drying. All of the processes can be used singly, jointly, simultaneously or sequentially in multiple stages. The methods are nearly non-polluting and serve to replace polluting wet chemistry and other beneficiation techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Patent number: 11883814Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2023Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Patent number: 11652281Abstract: The present disclosure describes a fractal antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements having a two-dimensional fractal shape and an electrical circuit coupled to the plurality of antenna elements operative to provide electrical power to and maintain phase relationships between the plurality of antenna elements. The electrical circuit provides a signal to the plurality of antenna elements that cause the antenna elements to radiate in the high-frequency (HF) and/or low-frequency (LF) bands. Also described is an antenna comprising a three-dimensional fractal, near-fractal, or super-fractal antenna having a fractal, near-fractal or super-fractal shape.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Curtis Birnbach
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Patent number: 11623196Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Patent number: 11471848Abstract: A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel with a main chamber, comprises inlets for feedstock, a fluidizing medium and reactants. The UCP further includes a reactive X-ray chemical processor (RXCP) having a large area hollow cylindrical cold cathode in the main chamber, a grid positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode, and an anode positioned concentrically with respect to the cathode and grid. In operation, when activated, the cathode of the RXCP emits electrodes onto the anode, which then emits X-rays into a radiation zone within the main chamber capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing organic materials within the radiation zone, and wherein, a fluidized bed is supported in the main chamber when the fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied. The RXCP and the fluidized bed portions can be operated separately or in conjunction to achieve unanticipated results.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Curtis Birnbach, William Joyce
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Patent number: 11402131Abstract: A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignees: RENEWABLE ENERGY AGGREGATORS INC., ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: David Winks, Curtis Birnbach, Gediminas Campe
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Patent number: 11329480Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical transmission system having an electrical transmission line coupled to electrical equipment from hazardous EMI comprises receiving at least one pulse of hazardous EMI on the transmission line, and shunting current induced on the electrical transmission line by the at least one pulse of hazardous EMI to ground through at least one static series spark gap apparatus in such manner as to bypass high speed transient voltages from the electrical equipment to ground via a low impedance means and prevent damage thereto, wherein the static series spark gap apparatus has a rise time that is typically 2 nanoseconds or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: John Cappelletti, Gediminas Campe, Curtis Birnbach
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Patent number: 11322814Abstract: A device for preventing a signal induced by hazardous EMI on a power line in a group of multiple adjacent, parallel power lines of the same phase in an electrical power system from reaching an electrical component connected to one of the multiple power lines, the device comprising at least one conductive impedance transition element having a disk-shaped structure with multiple holes for receiving the multiple adjacent power lines of the same phase, the disk-shaped structures each having an outer diameter that is greater than diameter of all of the multiple parallel power lines to deliberately create an impedance mismatch between the conductive impedance transition elements and adjacent portions of the multiple power lines. The impedance mismatch causes the conductive impedance transition elements to reflect high-frequency components of a signal induced on the multiple power lines by hazardous EMI and the high-frequency components are reflected and dissipated as heat.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
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Patent number: 11114856Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of protecting a component using a deliberately created impedance mismatch between conductive impedance transition elements and an electric power line. The method comprises coupling a plurality of conductive impedance transition elements having a greater diameter than the power line at a position between an extended length of the power line and the component. The difference between the diameters of the conductive transition elements and the power line causes an intentional impedance mismatch between the two or more impedance transition elements with adjacent portions of the power line, and the mismatch causes high-frequency components of the transient electromagnetic signals induced on the power line by the transient electrical disturbance to be reflected by at least one of two or more impedance transition elements away from the protected component.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, John Anthony Cappelletti
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Patent number: 10791656Abstract: A method of protecting an RF system from destructive effects of hazardous electromagnetic interference (EMI) comprises separating incoming electromagnetic radiation including hazardous electromagnetic interference according to frequency into low frequency spectral components below a selectable cutoff frequency and high frequency spectral components above the selectable cutoff frequency, and routing the low frequency portion of spectral components which include a vast majority of energy contained in the hazardous electromagnetic interference to ground via a low impedance conductor.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
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Patent number: 10181376Abstract: An Electron-coupled transformer for generating a high voltage output pulse as an amplified version of an input pulse includes a cylindrical triode electron tube with a central anode along main axis and a grid and cathode radially spaced from the anode. The anode has a first end directly grounded and a second end insulated from a direction connection to ground. The cathode and the grid form a traveling wave electron gun that produces, when the grid is grounded through a phase matching network, a radially symmetrical collapsing traveling wave of ground potential in the Transverse Electromagnetic mode. The foregoing wave of ground potential causes a beam of electrons to flow from the cathode to the anode and causes a voltage output pulse to be produced on the second end of the anode, whose magnitude is an amplified version of the input pulse that is injected into the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
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Patent number: 9728967Abstract: A combination includes an AC power system and a system for improving power factor in the AC power system by continuously variable, analog control of level of reactive current introduced into a power conveying line of the AC power system. A power factor-improving circuit includes at least one channel that comprises a channel-level AC electron tube circuit and at least one associated reactive impedance element interconnected in series manner. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit is responsive to a control system for continuously variable, analog control of the level of reactive current in the at least one associated reactive impedance element so that the foregoing level of reactive current changes, as necessary, in a continuously variable, analog manner to improve power factor in the power conveying line. Each of the channel-level AC electron tube circuit comprises at least one cold-cathode field-emission electron tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventor: Curtis A Birnbach
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Patent number: 9711287Abstract: A high voltage, high current vacuum integrated circuit includes a common vacuum enclosure that includes at least two cold-cathode field emission electron tubes, and contains at least one internal vacuum pumping means, at least one exhaust tubulation, vacuum-sealed electrically-insulated feedthroughs, and internal electrical insulation. The cold-cathode field emission electron tubes are configured to operate at high voltage and high current and interconnected with each other to implement a circuit function.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventor: Curtis A Birnbach
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Patent number: 9406478Abstract: A method for inducing chemical reactions using X-ray radiation comprises generating an irradiation volume within the interior of a reaction vessel by introducing X-ray radiation into the volume, in which two or more reactants are introduced. With respect to the two or more reactants and any subsequently created intermediate reactant or reactants, the aggregate extent to which the foregoing reactants are to be ionized to any degree is selectively controlled, and the average degree of ionization in the irradiation volume, from partial to total, of that portion of the foregoing reactants which is to be ionized is selectively controlled, through control of the fluence and energy of the X-ray radiation, to thereby induce selective reactions of reactants to occur in the irradiation volume. One or more reactants may be delivered through a double-walled pipe containing X-ray shielding to prevent their premature irradiation before being injected into the irradiation volume.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventors: Curtis A. Birnbach, William H. Joyce, Mark L. Manewitz
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Publication number: 20150270772Abstract: Disclosed is a system for improving power factor in an AC power system. The power system has an AC power source and an electrical load that are interconnected by at least one power conveying line. The system also comprises a power factor-improving circuit including at least one channel that comprises a channel-level bidirectional electron tube circuit and at least one associated reactive impedance element connected between a power conveying line of the AC power system and ground. Each channel-level bidirectional electron tube circuit is responsive to a control system for connecting or disconnecting at least one associated reactive impedance element when needed for improving power factor. Each channel-level bidirectional electron tube circuit also comprises one bidirectional cold-cathode field-emission electron tube rated at medium to high voltage or two unidirectional cold-cathode field-emission electron tubes rated at medium to high voltage and connected in an anti-parallel manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Curtis A Birnbach
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Publication number: 20150255210Abstract: An Electron-coupled transformer for generating a high voltage output pulse as an amplified version of an input pulse comprises a cylindrical triode electron tube with a central anode along main axis and a grid and cathode radially spaced from the anode. The anode has a first end connected to ground and a second end insulated with respect to said ground. The cathode and the grid form a traveling wave electron gun that produces a wave of ground potential in the Transverse Electric Mode, which causes electrons stored in the cathode-grid gap to be extracted from said gap. The extracted electrons form a radially symmetric collapsing traveling wave that sweeps as a wave along the anode at the speed of light, causing a voltage output pulse on the second end of the anode whose magnitude is an amplified version of an input pulse applied to the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
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Publication number: 20150187501Abstract: A capacitor includes a ferrite sleeve, which is placed on a first conductor and fitted into a surrounding tubular second conductor, which is being electrically grounded.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
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Publication number: 20150187531Abstract: A high voltage, high current vacuum integrated circuit includes a common vacuum enclosure that includes at least two cold-cathode field emission electron tubes, and contains at least one internal vacuum pumping means, at least one exhaust tubulation, vacuum-sealed electrically-insulated feedthroughs, and internal electrical insulation. The cold-cathode field emission electron tubes are configured to operate at high voltage and high current and interconnected with each other to implement a circuit function.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: Advanced Fusion Systems LLCInventor: Curtis A. Birnbach