Nuclear Fusion Patents (Class 376/100)
  • Patent number: 10643752
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas Lyman Weaver
  • Patent number: 10384813
    Abstract: A method, operable in the presence of ambient cosmic rays, is provided for braking a craft upon approach to a planet, moon or other space body, e.g. in preparation for landing. Deuterium-containing particle fuel material is projected in a specified direction outward of the craft, which interacts with both the cosmic rays and their principal decay product muons to generate energetic micro-fusion products that produce a braking thrust on the craft for a specified trajectory. The micro-fusion products may push directly against the craft, e.g. upon a pressure plate, or upon a sail or parachute connected to the craft, to decelerate the craft. A prepositioned automated landing system at a landing site may project the fuel material toward the craft based on telemetry tracking of an incoming craft and likewise directly disperse the material cloud to form a braking cushion at the landing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Jerome Drexler
  • Patent number: 10377511
    Abstract: A spacecraft propulsion method uses cosmic ray triggered nuclear micro-fusion events to provide repeated or continuous thrust for artificial gravity during a space flight. In one embodiment, successive packages of deuterium-containing micro-fusion particle fuel material is projected in a specified direction outward from a spacecraft. In another embodiment, the micro-fusion fuel material is a coating upon a set of angled rings arranged circumferentially around the spacecraft. In a third embodiment, the micro-fusion fuel is dispersed in proximity to “wind” turbines to generate electricity for ion thrusters. In each case, the material interacts with the ambient flux of cosmic rays to generate micro-fusion products having kinetic energy that either produce thrust upon the spacecraft or drive the turbines whose electrical output in turn powers the ion thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Jerome Drexler
  • Patent number: 10274225
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for (i) producing and controlling and fusion activities of nuclei, and (ii) heating liquid via heat generated as a result of the fusion activities. Hydrogen atoms or other neutral species (neutrals) are induced to rotational motion in a confinement region as a result of ion-neutral coupling, in which ions are driven by electric and magnetic fields. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions including aneutronic reactions such as proton-boron-11 fusion reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Alpha Ring International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alfred Y. Wong
  • Patent number: 10265674
    Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a localized concentration of energy. The method includes creating at least one shockwave propagating through a non-gaseous medium so as to be incident upon a pocket of gas within the medium wherein the pocket of gas is attached to a non-planar surface shaped to concentrate the intensity of the shockwave which is incident upon the pocket of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yiannis Ventikos, Nicholas Hawker
  • Patent number: 10204709
    Abstract: Embodiments of a plasma fusion energy reactor based on Bussard's Polywell concept. The apparatus of the embodiments include interior, electron-extraction electrodes to remove cold, trapped electrons and replace them with hot electrons. Hot electrons efficiently confine a dense, hot plasma fuel. The method of the embodiments discloses a procedure for controlling the reactor during its start-up phase of operation. During start-up the reactor is changed from being in a cold, empty state to being in a stable steady-state of energy production. Reliable computer simulation predicts that in steady-state the disclosed apparatus and method will produce usable net-power continuously and for an indefinite period of operation. The full-scale reactor design is suitable for replacing most of the world's existing coal-fired power production with a clean, safe energy production alternative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Joel Guild Rogers
  • Patent number: 10155212
    Abstract: A method of producing a localized concentration of energy including providing a pocket of gas in a non-gaseous medium and in contact with a surface. The surface includes a depression shaped so as to at least partially receive the pocket of gas. A static pressure is applied to the non-gaseous medium, with an average value greater than atmospheric pressure such that the pocket of gas collapses to form a transverse jet. The surface depression is arranged to receive the transverse jet impact such that at least some of pocket of gas is trapped between the impacting jet and the surface depression. An apparatus for producing a localized concentration of energy is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Hawker, Ronald A. Roy
  • Patent number: 9984775
    Abstract: A method of producing a localized concentration of energy includes: creating a shockwave propagating through a non-gaseous medium so as to be incident upon a boundary between the non-gaseous medium and a gaseous medium formed by at least one hole in a barrier separating the non-gaseous medium from a gaseous medium. This forms a transverse jet on the other side of the hole which is incident upon a target surface comprising a depression which is spaced from the barrier in the gaseous medium. An apparatus for producing a localized concentration of energy is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yiannis Ventikos, Nicholas Hawker
  • Patent number: 9984774
    Abstract: A method of producing a localized concentration of energy includes: creating at least one shockwave propagating through a non-gaseous medium so as first to be incident upon a focusing pocket of fluid within the medium. The focusing pocket of fluid is positioned relative to a differently sized target pocket of gas within the medium, and is arranged to shield the target pocket of gas from the initial shockwave, such that the incidence of the shockwave on the focusing pocket of fluid concentrates the intensity of a shockwave subsequently incident upon the target pocket of gas. An apparatus for producing a localized concentration of energy is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Yiannis Ventikos, Nicholas Hawker, Matthew Betney
  • Patent number: 9527608
    Abstract: A method of reducing densities of harmful charged radiation belt particles is includes providing a space-based antenna having a first antenna portion and second antenna portion. The first antenna portion and the second antenna portion are oriented such that their loop planes are perpendicular with respect to the magnetic field of the Earth. The first antenna portion and the second antenna portion are energized with a first frequency and a second frequency, respectively, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency satisfy the relationship that the ratio of the first frequency to the second frequency is equal to the ratio of the second radius to the first radius. The trajectory of energetic particles in the radiation belt, such that the trajectories of energetic particles are shifted into a loss cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Vladimir Sotnikov, Tony Kim
  • Patent number: 9182365
    Abstract: A method for producing excess enthalpy by impregnating metallic precursors on an oxide support that reduces sintering and particle growth; drying the impregnated support at a temperature where the particle growth is minimal; reducing the metallic precursors at a second temperature where the particle growth results in supported metallic particles 2 nm or less in size; and pressurizing the supported metallic particles in the presence of deuterium. The metal particles may comprise palladium, platinum, mixtures thereof, or mixtures of palladium and/or platinum with other elements. Also disclosed is a method for measuring excess enthalpy by placing a test material in a pressure vessel; heating the pressure vessel; evacuating the pressure vessel; introducing deuterium, hydrogen, or both into the pressure vessel; measuring the enthalpy generated during pressurization; again evacuating the pressure vessel; and measuring the enthalpy used during depressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David A. Kidwell
  • Patent number: 9058908
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of nuclear technology and radiochemistry, more specifically to the production and isolation of radionuclides for medical purposes. The method for producing actinium-225 and isotopes of radium comprises irradiating a solid block of metallic thorium of a thickness of 2 to 30 mm, which is contained within a hermetically sealed casing made of a material which does not react with thorium, with a flow of accelerated charged particles with high intensity. The irradiated metallic thorium is removed from the casing and is either heated with the addition of lanthanum and the distillation of radium or is dissolved in nitric acid with the recovery of actinium-225 by extraction. A target for implementing this method consists of blocks of metallic thorium of a thickness of 2 to 30 mm, which are contained within a hermetically scaled casing made of different materials which do not react with thorium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: UCHREZHDENIE ROSSIISKOI AKADEMII NAUK INSTITUT YADERNYKH ISSLEDOVANY RAN (IYAI RAN), GOSUDARSTVENNOE UCHEBNO-NAUCHNOE UCHREZHDENIE KHIMICHESKY FAKULTET MGU IM. M.V. LOMONOSOVA
    Inventors: Boris Leonidovich Zhuikov, Stepan Nikolaevich Kalmykov, Ramiz Avtandilovich Aliev, Stanislav Viktorovich Ermolaev, Vladimir Mikhailovich Kokhanyuk, Nikolai Alexandrovich Konyakhin, Ivan Gundarovich Tananaev, Boris Fedorovich Myasoedov
  • Publication number: 20150124920
    Abstract: To provide a room-temperature fusion reaction device capable of maintaining a room-temperature fusion reaction state by controlling the reaction condition of room-temperature fusion. The room-temperature fusion reaction device includes: a reaction vessel for containing an electrolyte solution; a positive electrode and a negative electrode immersed in the electrolyte solution within the reaction vessel; and a power supply device for applying a reaction voltage to the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The reaction voltage from the power supply device is applied to generate glow discharge optical emission between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. A light receiving means is provided for receiving light of the glow discharge optical emission. A voltage adjusting means of the power supply device controls the reaction voltage applied to the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the receiver output of the light receiving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Yuzo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20150117583
    Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced nuclear fusion reaction within a plasma by using voltage differential acceleration to raise its temperature and mechanically spinning the fusion containment utilizing centripetal force to concentrate ions density within a region by increasing the gravity in this region. Direct energy pickup from the fusion plasma, direct energy pickup to arc a chamber to produce a magnetic field for pick up with ferrite coil assemblies around the arc chamber to create electricity, collect the heat from the fusion containment to drive a turbine, heat engine or other heat suitable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Alan Pitsch
  • Patent number: 9008256
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to several methods to deposit and regenerate target materials in neutron generators and similar nuclear reaction devices. In situ deposition and regeneration of a target material reduces tube degradation of the nuclear reaction device and covers impurities on the surface of the target material at the target location. Further aspects of the invention include a method of designing a target to generate neutrons at a high efficiency rate and at a selected neutron energy from a neutron energy spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Starfire Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Stubbers, Brian Edward Jurczyk, Darren Adam Alman, Matthew David Coventry, Michael Jerome Schaus
  • Patent number: 9001956
    Abstract: A neutron generator includes an ion source disposed in a pressurized environment containing an ionizable gas. The ion source includes a substrate with a bundle of carbon nanotubes extending therefrom. The ends of the nanotubes are spaced from a grid. Ion source voltage supply circuitry supplies a positive voltage potential between the substrate and the grid of the ion source to cause ionization of the ionizable gas and emission of ions through the grid. An ion accelerator section is disposed between the ion source and a target. The ion accelerator section accelerates ions that pass through the grid towards the target such that collisions of the ions with the target cause the target to generate and emit neutrons therefrom. The ion source, accelerator section and target are housed in a sealed tube and preferably the carbon nanotubes of the bundle are highly ordered with at least 106 carbon nanotubes per cm2 that extend in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joel L. Groves
  • Publication number: 20150078504
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a hybrid molten salt reactor includes a source of energetic neutrons, the energetic neutrons having a typical energy per neutron of 14 MeV or greater, a critical molten salt reactor, and a molten salt comprising a dissolved mixture of fissile actinides and fertile actinides. The molten salt circulates in a loop through the reactor vessel and around the source of energetic neutrons. The fissile actinides and fertile actinides sustain an exothermic nuclear reaction in which the actinides are irradiated by the energetic neutrons, the energetic neutrons inducing subcritical nuclear fission, and undergo critical nuclear fission when circulating through the critical molten salt reactor. A portion of the daughter neutrons generated by nuclear reactions are captured by the fertile actinides in the molten salt and induce transmutation of the fertile actinides into fissile actinides and sustain critical fission chain reactions in the molten salt reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Daniel Woolley
  • Publication number: 20150055740
    Abstract: The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Eric M. Ham, Yosef Razin, Samuel A. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20150055739
    Abstract: A plasma confinement system is provided that includes a confinement chamber that includes one or more enclosures of respective helicity injectors. The one or more enclosures are coupled to ports at an outer radius of the confinement chamber. The system further includes one or more conductive coils aligned substantially parallel to the one or more enclosures and a further set of one or more conductive coils respectively surrounding portions of the one or more enclosures. Currents may be provided to the sets of conductive coils to energize a gas within the confinement chamber into a plasma. Further, a heat-exchange system is provided that includes an inner wall, an intermediate wall, an outer wall, and pipe sections configured to carry coolant through cavities formed by the walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jarboe, Derek Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20140153683
    Abstract: A process of fusing common hydrogen to: (1) form all of the elements in the Periodic Table of Elements; and, (2) produce excess energy. The process involves controllably initiating the process of electron capture with a hydrogen nucleus, which produces virtual neutrons and a new short-lived negatively charged particle (Negatron).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HYDROGEN FUSION SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: HYDROGEN FUSION SYSTEMS, LLC
  • Patent number: 8736199
    Abstract: The temperature rise due to the backstreaming electrons is canceled by an equal and opposite fall in temperature at the surface of the cathode due to the conduction of heat deposited at the surface immediately prior to the microwave pulse by a pulsed laser focused to uniformly illuminate the cathode surface. Variations in temperature across the surface of the cathode attributable to the non-uniform spatial distribution of the backstreaming electrons may be compensated using a second laser pulse fired during the RF pulse to maintain constant thermal power input across the surface of the cathode during the RF pulse. This second pulse can also be used to compensate for the time-dependent rate of decay of temperature due to conduction of the heat deposited by the first laser into the body of the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: John M. J. Madey
  • Patent number: 8736198
    Abstract: A circular accelerator comprises a target current value memory which stores a target current value of a beam current of charged particle which is extracted from an extracting device; and a frequency determination part in which a frequency change ratio is obtained by performing a feedback control based on an error signal between a detection signal of a beam current detector and a target current value which is stored in a target current value memory, and determines a subsequent frequency from the obtained frequency change ratio and a current frequency, wherein the subsequent frequency which is determined by the frequency determination part is stored in a frequency memory and a radio-frequency generator generates the subsequent radio-frequency of frequency which is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Haruna, Katsuhisa Yoshida, Masahiro Ikeda, Kengo Sugahara, Hirofumi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140120456
    Abstract: A sealable volume has a wall forming at least a portion of a boundary limiting the volume. The wall includes a hydrogen permeation barrier including a layer system (LS) having at least one layer. The layer system includes at least one hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) of an at least ternary oxide. Preferably, the oxide is substantially composed of Al, Cr and O and the hydrogen barrier layer (HPBL) is deposited using physical vapor deposition, in particular cathodic arc evaporation. Preferably, the layer system includes at least one of: an adhesion layer (AdhL), a hydrogen storage layer (HStL), a protective layer (ProtL), in particular a thermal barrier layer (ThBL), a diffusion barrier layer (DBL), an oxidation barrier layer (OxBL), a chemical barrier layer (ChBL), a wear resistance layer (WRL). Excellent hydrogen permeation barrier properties can be achieved, and the layer system can be tailored as required by an envisaged application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventor: Jurgen Ramm
  • Publication number: 20130329844
    Abstract: Helium-3 (also known as He-3 or 2He3) is created in a nuclear fusion reaction by fusing Deuterium (1D2) ions from a Deuterium plasma with Hydrogen ions (1P1) in a Lithium or diamond crystal lattice. (Red Fusion) Specifically, Helium-3 is created by the following equation: 1D2 (Deuterium ion from Deuterium plasma, migrated into a Lithium crystal)+1P1 (Hydrogen ion in the Lithium crystal)=2He3+? (phonon in the Lithium crystal).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Edbertho Leal-Quiros, David Alberto Leal
  • Patent number: 8537958
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: General Fusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Georges Laberge, Douglas H. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20130188763
    Abstract: Nuclear transformation method and apparatus can produce thermal energy and hydrogen with a simple structure. A reaction cell, made of metal material like iron, from which oxygen is discharged is heated by a heater at a temperature above 500° C. Water is supplied into the reaction cell to be changed into steam which reacts on the inner wall of the reaction cell to produce hydrogen and thermal energy through a nuclear transformation. In the case that a reaction agent (NaOH, K2TiO3) which includes at least alkaline metal and oxygen is accommodated in the reaction cell, a nuclear reaction occurs without the supply of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Tadahiko Mizuno, Yasuo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8396181
    Abstract: Gently heating a pyroelectric crystal in a deuterated atmosphere can generate fusion under desktop conditions. The electrostatic field of the crystal is used to generate and accelerate a deuteron beam (>100 keV and >4 nA), which, upon striking a deuterated target, produces a neutron flux over 400 times the background level. The presence of neutrons within the target is confirmed by pulse shape analysis and proton recoil spectroscopy. Several elements of the system may be modified, including the configuration of the crystal or crystals, the composition of the surrounding environment and the target, the use of multiple probe tips, and the composition of the probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Brian Naranjo, James Gimzewski, Seth Putterman
  • Publication number: 20120328066
    Abstract: A single-pass heavy-ion fusion system for power production from fusion reactions alone, power production that uses additional energy of fission reactions obtained by driving a sub-critical fission pile with the neutrons from fusion reactions, destroying high-level and/or long-lived radioactive waste by intense bombardment with fusion neutrons, or for the production of neutron beams for various applications includes a new arrangement of current multiplying processes that employs a multiplicity of isotopes to achieve the desired effect of distributing the task of amplifying the current among all the various processes, to relieve stress on any one process, and to increase the design margin for assured ICF (inertial confinement fusion) ignition for applications including but not restricted to the above list. The energy content and power of the ignition-driver pulses are greatly increased, thus increasing intensity of target heating and rendering reliable ignition readily attainable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert J. BURKE, Alexander Thomas Burke
  • Patent number: 8249210
    Abstract: A cooling device component of monobloc design has a heat shield made from tungsten, a tungsten alloy, a graphitic material or a carbidic material provided with a through-hole. A cooling pipe for carrying coolant is joined in the through-hole. The heat shield is in turn joined or metallurgically joined to a structural part made from a material with a tensile strength at room temperature of >300 MPa and an electrical resistivity of >0.04 Ohm mm2m?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Plansee SE, The European Atomic Energy Community, Represented by the European Commission
    Inventors: Bertram Schedler, Dietmar Schedle, Karlheinz Scheiber, Thomas Huber, Thomas Friedrich, Anton Zabernig, Hans-Dieter Friedle
  • Publication number: 20120155590
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently improve uniformity of energy lines to be irradiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K., OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masakatsu Murakami, Nobuhiko Sarukura, Hiroshi Azechi, Ryo Yasuhara, Toshiyuki Kawashima, Hirofumi Kan
  • Publication number: 20120106690
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a pyroelectric crystal, a deuterated or tritiated target, an ion source, and a common support coupled to the pyroelectric crystal, the deuterated or tritiated target, and the ion source. In another embodiment, a method includes producing a voltage of negative polarity on a surface of a deuterated or tritiated target in response to a temperature change of a pyroelectric crystal, pulsing a deuterium ion source to produce a deuterium ion beam, accelerating the deuterium ion beam to the deuterated or tritiated target to produce a neutron beam, and directing the ion beam onto the deuterated or tritiated target to make neutrons using a voltage of the pyroelectric crystal and/or an HGI surrounding the pyroelectric crystal. The directionality of the neutron beam is controlled by changing the accelerating voltage of the system. Other apparatuses and methods are presented as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Vincent Tang, Glenn A. Meyer, Steven Falabella, Gary Guethlein, Brian Rusnak, Stephen Sampayan, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Li-Fang Wang, John Harris, Jeff Morse
  • Patent number: 8090071
    Abstract: A generally spherical sealed reactor vessel defining a volume. A target sphere shaped electrode 11 is centered within a nonconductive reactor vessel 21. The target sphere is insulated from and fixedly centered within the nonconductive reactor vessel by an insulated stalk 22. This vessel is suspended in an insulating and cooling medium 241 composed of transformer oil. Deuterium gas 235 is released into and contained within the volume at a predetermined pressure. A source of high voltage, high frequency potential 130 is connected to the target electrode by an electrical connection 13. The other terminal of the high voltage, high frequency potential source is connected to Earth ground 153. The applied alternating electrical potential creates an alternating electrical field within the reaction chamber. This an oscillating electric field is formed within the enclosed space of nonconductive reactor vessel 21, extending between target electrode 11 and heat absorbent container 238.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Robert DeLuze
  • Patent number: 8064563
    Abstract: A first-wall component for a fusion reactor contains at least one heat shield having a first region inclined toward the plasma and a second region lying opposite the first region and formed of a graphitic material. The heat shield has one or more slots that end in the first or second regions and are oriented generally in the direction of an axis of the cooling tube. The components suitably cope with the mechanical stresses resulting both from production and from thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The European Atomic Energy Community, represented by the European Commission
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Arno Plankensteiner, Bertram Schedler, Karlheinz Scheiber, Hans-Dieter Friedle, Thomas Huber, Dietmar Schedle, Anton Zabernig
  • Publication number: 20110268235
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to high-energy composition utilized with reactors and combustors for generating electricity either directly through nuclear or magnetic energy, or indirectly through thermal energy that incorporate the high-energy composition into at least one reactor operable at a temperature greater than 1000 Celsius and containing the composition with at least one co-reactant of Boron-10, with the Boron-10 specifically enabling an at least five percent increase of energy generation and/or efficiency as compared the same reaction without Boron-10. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the Boron-10 composition within a high-energy reactor operable at a temperature at least 1000 Celsius and a method that applies at least one externally applied force acting upon the Boron-10 portion of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Gurin
  • Publication number: 20110255644
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of generating non-ionizing radiation, non-ionizing 4He atoms, or a combination of both, the method comprising: contacting graphene materials with a source of deuterium; and aging the graphene materials in the source of deuterium for a time sufficient to generate non-ionizing radiation, non-ionizing 4He atoms. In one embodiment, graphene materials may comprise carbon nanotubes, such as nitrogen doped single walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Unlike an alpha particle, the non-ionizing 4He atoms generated by the disclosed method are a low energy particles, such as one having an energy of less than 1 MeV, such as less than 100 keV. Other non-ionizing radiation that can be generated by the disclosed process include soft x-rays, phonons or energetic electrons within the carbon material, and visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher H. Cooper, William K. Copper
  • Publication number: 20110170648
    Abstract: Disclosed are reactors, methods, and devices for improved nuclear fusion reactors that provide neutrons with a sufficient power density to efficiently breed fissile nuclear material, which can then optionally be used as an energy source. The reactors can also be used in improved nuclear fuel cycles wherein an adequate supply of fissile nuclear material is provided to nuclear power plants. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: MICHAEL T. KOTSCHENREUTHER, SWADESH M. MAHAJAN, PRASHANT M. VALANJU
  • Publication number: 20110142183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems used to examine the activity of a sample of a material involved in a reaction with an isotopic fuel. The system includes a novel holding apparatus for said sample of material with a surrounding structure means to examine and load said sample. Said apparatus also includes means to irradiate said sample of material during loading and means to assess the activity of said sample. In one configuration said means of examining the activity of said sample consists of a multiring calorimeter with a series of concentric chambers surrounding the centrally placed sample of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Mitchell R. Swartz
  • Patent number: 7940880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a first-wall component of a fusion reactor, which comprises at least one heat shield of a graphitic material and a cooling tube of copper or a copper alloy. Arranged between the heat shield and the cooling tube is a tube segment, which is connected at least in certain regions to the heat shield and to the cooling tube via copper-containing layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Plansee SE
    Inventors: Bertram Schedler, Thomas Huber, Anton Zabernig, Karlheinz Scheiber, Dietmar Schedle, Thomas Friedrich, Hans-Dieter Friedle, Sandra Mair, Nadine Wörle
  • Patent number: 7831008
    Abstract: A system for fueling a plasma includes a gyrotron for radiating microwave energy into a waveguide. Also included is a module having a deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel pellet, a diamond, quartz or sapphire window, and a pusher medium located between the pellet and window that is made of frozen deuterium (D2) and metallic particles. With the module in the waveguide, the gyrotron is activated. Radiation from the gyrotron is then directed into the waveguide and through the window to cause the inducement of current in the metal particles, causing the particles to become hot. The absorbed microwave energy is then transferred to the pusher medium by conduction resulting in a gaseous expansion of the pusher medium. This ejects the pellet from the waveguide and into the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Paul B. Parks, Francis W. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20100276581
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing an operation in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus having: a carrier configured for conveyance through the borehole; and a neutron source disposed at the carrier and configured to produce a nuclear fusion reaction that emits a neutron to perform the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Steven M. Bliven
  • Patent number: 7813463
    Abstract: A fullerene molecule having one or more free thermal neutrons trapped within the fullerene molecule and a method for trapping and storing neutrons within a fullerene molecule are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Richard Schaefer, James Michael Snead
  • Publication number: 20100195780
    Abstract: A deuterium-fueled heat-generating reactor that uses a nano-metal catalyst in a catalyst bed, in combination with an operator adjustable means for imposing a temperature gradient within the catalyst bed so as to stimulate and control an exothermic nuclear reaction rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Talbot Albert Chubb
  • Publication number: 20100067637
    Abstract: A deuterium-fueled heat generating reactor that uses a nanometal catalyst to promote an exothermic nuclear reaction, and which increases the reaction rate by using a cation-conducting solid-electrolyte electrochemical cell to pull deuterium flow through the catalyst bed in a closed-loop path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Talbot Albert Chubb
  • Publication number: 20100008461
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, this invention creates the process of cold fusion with the creation of electromagnetic scalar waves and the deuterium loading of cathode in the invention. This process of combining the deuterium loading and current flow of the cathode with the electromagnetic wave and electromagnetic scalar waves are used to allow temporary changes of the electron to electron repulsion, proton to proton repulsion Via the changing of the 3d plus linear time structure into the direction of 12d space time structure in the palladium core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: John Andrew Hodgson
  • Publication number: 20090310731
    Abstract: A single-pass heavy-ion fusion system includes a new arrangement of current multiplying processes that employs multiple isotopes to achieve the desired effect of distributing the task of amplifying the current among all the various processes, to relieve stress on any one process, and to increase margin of safety for assured ICF (inertial confinement fusion) power production. Energy and power of the ignition-driver pulses are greatly increased, thus increasing intensity of target heating and rendering reliable ignition readily attainable. The present design eliminates the need for storage rings. Further innovations are to give the HIF (heavy ion fusion) Driver flexibility to drive multiple chambers in the most general case of different total distances between the linac output and each of the various chambers. Using multiple chambers steeply decreases the pro-rata capital investment and operating costs per power production unit, in turn decreasing the cost of power to users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. BURKE, Alexander Thomas Burke
  • Publication number: 20090122940
    Abstract: Methods for low-temperature fusion are disclosed. In one embodiment, a symmetrical crystal lattice including a plurality of deuterons either absorbed or embedded in a heavy-electron material is selected. The method provides alternatives for initiating a vibration mode involving the deuterons on the crystal lattice that induces them to converge. The oscillating convergence of the deuterons is enhanced by the charge screening effect of electrons. The electron screening effect is in turn enhanced by the high effective-mass associated with the selected materials. The vibration modes are excited, for example, by applying an electrical stress, a uniform magnetic field, mechanical stress, non-uniform stress, acoustic waves, the de Haas van Alphen effect, electrical resistivity, infrared optical radiation, Raman scattering, or any combination thereof to the crystal lattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Ben R. Breed
  • Publication number: 20090116604
    Abstract: A machine for producing flow of isotopic fuel through a material with a wire or rod anode which does not corrode, such as platinum, a solution, such as deuterium oxide (D2O), in which are immersed the electrodes, anode and cathode, which will provide the isotopic fuel (hydrogen or deuterons) and load the cathode, a power supply capable of apply an electric field intensity between the electrodes, able to produce loading and intraelectrode flux of the isotopic fuel, with a potential in the range of 4 to 4000 volts, a cathode of helical shape, long axis parallel to the anode, of palladium, able to load with the isotopic fuel to support intraelectrode flux of the isotopic fuel, a ratio of diameters between the full width of the helical wound cathode and the anode of 4 to 1000, a distance between the electrodes, adjusted to create direct loading, and over each portion of the helical cathode, closest to the anode, over a two dimensional angle of 45 to 130 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Mitchell R. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20090086877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which employ processing a host material to cause molecular deuterium (D2) and/or molecular hydrogen deuterium (HD) to be present within the host material, and processing the host material to cause at least one of He-4 and He-3 to be present within the host material. Stimulating the host material generates reactions, and energy is withdrawn from the host material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Spindletop Corporation
    Inventors: Peter L. Hagelstein, Michael C.H. McKubre, Matthew D. Trevithick, Francis L. Tanzella, Kevin Mullican
  • Publication number: 20080304611
    Abstract: A method, using the reaction between Lithium and neutron to produce Tritium, is used to sustain Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion long enough to produce electrical power. This method uses Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion to produce energy. The energy produced by Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion is used to heat water to produce steam. The steam produced is used to operate steam turbine. The steam turbine operates electrical generator to produce electricity. The electricity generated is used as electrical power. In the Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion, Deuterium is naturally abundant, but Tritium is naturally scarce. This invention provides a method to supply Tritium. That is, Lithium, which is naturally abundant, is added as fuel. The neutron produced by Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion will react with Lithium to produce Tritium. Thus it sustains the Deuterium-Tritium nuclear fusion long enough to produce fusion energy, which is then turned into electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Kuai-Teng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080205572
    Abstract: A deuterium-fueled heat source that utilizes solid state electrolysis device(s) that deposit D atoms onto, and remove D atoms from, a metal reactor plate containing deuterium diffusion-impeding inclusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Talbot A. Chubb