Patents by Inventor Conner D. Galloway

Conner D. Galloway 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: 12136495
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Innoven Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Robert O. Hunter, Jr., David H. Sowle
  • Publication number: 20210272705
    Abstract: Various configurations for ICF targets and techniques for their utilization are disclosed which may be simpler and more robust than conventional targets. In some embodiments, these targets may operate at a large areal density (?r), and/or may be imploded primarily by a single strong shock. In some embodiments, the entire volume of a region of fuel may be heated to a desired temperature at once, such that all the fuel mass may participate in the physical processes that may lead to fusion ignition. Targets of this type may be less sensitive to drive non-uniformity and to the temporal profile of driver energy delivery than conventional ICF targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, JR., Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Eric W. Cornell
  • 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: 20200118694
    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: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, JR., Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Eric W. Cornell
  • Publication number: 20200118695
    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: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Innoven Energy LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Hunter, JR., Conner D. Galloway, Alexander V. Valys, Eric W. Cornell
  • 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: 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