Patents Examined by Harvey E. Behrenl
  • Patent number: 5174945
    Abstract: A fusion power generating device is disclosed having a relatively small and inexpensive core region which may be contained within an energy absorbing blanket region. The fusion power core region contains apparatus of the toroidal type for confining a high density plasma. The fusion power core is removable from the blanket region and may be disposed and/or recycled for subsequent use within the same blanket region. Thermonuclear ignition of the plasma is obtained by feeding neutral fusible gas into the plasma in a controlled manner such that charged particle heating produced by the fusion reaction is utilized to boot-strap the device to a region of high temperatures and high densitities wherein charged particle heating is sufficient to overcome radiation and thermal conductivity losses. The high density plasma produces a large radiation and particle flux on the first wall of the plasma core region thereby necessitating replacement of the core from the blanket region from time to time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: FDX Patents Holding Company, N.V.
    Inventors: Robert W. Bussard, Bruno Coppi