Magnetic Confinement Of Plasma Patents (Class 376/121)
  • Patent number: 11810679
    Abstract: A system for reducing plasma instability is disclosed. The system includes: an outer electrode having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end; and an inner electrode disposed inside of a void defined within the outer electrode and arranged coaxial with the outer electrode. The inner electrode includes: a base end defined by the first end of the outer electrode; and an apical end spaced from the base end. The system includes a fiber injector configured to inject a frozen fiber into the void from the apical end of the inner electrode; an electrode power source configured to energize the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and thereby, cause a plasma contained within the outer electrode to flow axially along the frozen fiber; and a frozen fiber power source configured to drive an electrical pulse to the frozen fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: William Raymond Regan
  • Patent number: 11675102
    Abstract: An associated particle-based inspection apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a grounded target region and a neutron generator that produces a neutron and one or more corresponding charged particles. The apparatus further includes an associated particle imaging (API) detector comprising a particle detector that detects the one or more corresponding charged particles, wherein the particle detector comprises at least one particle detector element that facilitates determining a trajectory, origination time, and a velocity of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the at least one particle detector element, of the corresponding charged particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Starfire Industries LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Jurczyk, Robert A. Stubbers, Darren A. Alman, Matthew D. Coventry
  • Patent number: 11629937
    Abstract: A device and a method of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle based on multi-camera tracking and positioning, including: a bracket, defined a center, a circumference surrounding the center and a central axis passing through the center; at least three cameras, the cameras are evenly distributed and inclined outwardly on the circumference of the bracket, and center lines of view of the cameras forms an inverted cone; a directional antenna, configured to be arranged on the central axis of the bracket; an electromagnetic module, configured to be coupled to the directional antenna; a pan-tilt, connected to the center of the bracket and configured to drive the bracket to rotate; and a control unit, configured to control the pan-tilt to track a target and lock on to the target according to the video image provided by the cameras, such that the electromagnetic module is manipulated to attack the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sen Guo, Xianyi Ren, Tao Hu
  • Patent number: 11574788
    Abstract: An ion source has a vacuum envelope structure having a cylindrical portion with a lengthwise axis and an inside diameter defining an interior volume, joined at one end to a flange concentric with the axis, the cylindrical portion open by an exit aperture through the flange and open at an end opposite the flange, an RF feedthrough closing the open end of the cylindrical portion opposite the flange, creating a cylindrical interior volume open only through the exit aperture, and a magnet system carrier structure surrounding the cylindrical portion of the vacuum envelope and carrying at least one annular permanent magnet concentric with the lengthwise axis, providing a magnetic field penetrating the interior volume. The ion source is characterized in that the magnet system carrier structure is translatable along the lengthwise axis enabling variable positioning of the magnetic field in the interior volume along the lengthwise axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Adelphi Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lowndes Williams
  • Patent number: 11515050
    Abstract: A system for reducing plasma instability is disclosed. The system includes: an outer electrode having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end; and an inner electrode disposed inside of a void defined within the outer electrode and arranged coaxial with the outer electrode. The inner electrode includes: a base end defined by the first end of the outer electrode; and an apical end spaced from the base end. The system includes a fiber injector configured to inject a frozen fiber into the void from the apical end of the inner electrode; an electrode power source configured to energize the outer electrode and the inner electrode, and thereby, cause a plasma contained within the outer electrode to flow axially along the frozen fiber; and a frozen fiber power source configured to drive an electrical pulse to the frozen fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: William Raymond Regan
  • Patent number: 10784001
    Abstract: A fusion reactor includes a fusion plasma reactor chamber. A magnetic coil structure is disposed inside of the fusion plasma reactor chamber, and a structural component is also disposed inside of the fusion plasma reactor chamber. The structural component couples the magnetic coil structure to the fusion plasma reactor chamber. A superconducting material is disposed at least partially within the structural component. A plurality of cooling channels are disposed at least partially within the structural component. An insulating material is disposed at least partially within the structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 10593433
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of thermonuclear fusion and can be used for securing a blanket module to a vacuum vessel of a fusion reactor. The connecting device comprises a flexible support in the form of rods mounted between an upper flange having a concave spherical surface and a lower flange; a displacement compensator mounted on the upper flange; and a male-threaded locknut. The displacement compensator is fixedly connected to the blanket module and comprises a locking screw and a supporting sleeve, which are pivotally interconnected, a spacer sleeve, and a coupling sleeve with a spherical protuberance. The spacer sleeve is movably connected to the locking screw and pivotally connected to the upper flange of the flexible support and to the spherical protuberance of the coupling sleeve. The coupling sleeve is fixedly connected to a stop surface of the locknut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: State Of Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom” On Behalf Of The Russian Federation
    Inventors: Vladimir Ur'evich Kolganov, Sergey Emil'evich Khomyakov, Ivan Igorevich Poddubnyj
  • Patent number: 10354838
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating plasma, including a quadrupole antenna having a center region and an outer region and configured to be disposed over a dielectric window of a plasma chamber. The quadrupole antenna including a first coil defining a first SDA and a second coil defining a second SDA, the first coil being in a nested arrangement within the second coil. The nested arrangement places a turn of the first coil to be adjacent to a corresponding turn of the second coil as the first and second coils spiral from the center region to the outer region of the quadrupole antenna. Adjacent turns of each of the first and second coils are horizontally separated from one another by a distance when disposed over the dielectric window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Hema Swaroop Mopidevi, Lee Chen, Thomas W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9412474
    Abstract: A compressor assembly and the method of using the same which includes an elongated spiral passageway within which a compact toroid plasma, such as a compact toroid plasma structure, can be efficiently compressed to a high-energy state by compressing the compact toroid plasma structure by its own momentum against the wall of the spiral passageway in a manner to induce heating by conservation of energy. The compressor assembly also includes a burn chamber that is in communication with the spiral passageway and into which the compressed compact toroid plasma structure is introduced following its compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Brent Freeze
  • 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: 20130235963
    Abstract: The Deuterium Reactor is a fusion reactor whose design is based upon a non-singular electrostatic required by the quantization of electric charge. This potential allows for a significant reduction in the fusion barrier of deuterium nuclei when these nuclei are held in close proximity, as within a crystal, and preconditioned using a magnetic field. This manner of fusion barrier reduction produces direct fusion of two deuterium nuclei into a helium nucleus without attendant hazardous radiation of classical fusion reactors. The energy released in the deuterium reactor may be used in different ways for different applications and its use will result in a significant reduction in fossil fuel use, a significant reduction in radioactive waste by replacing fission reactors, and a significant impact upon the world economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Pharis Edward Williams
  • Publication number: 20130039452
    Abstract: This invention teaches methods of improving the viability, efficiency and sustainability of particle fusion based on the underlying electromagnetic structure of fundamental particles and the resulting photonic solenoid interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Paul Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120281798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly producing a plasma jet on demand. A particular application is the production of such a jet and its injection into a magnetically confined target plasma for the purpose of mitigating an emerging disruption event. The apparatus includes a gas source cartridge having concentric inner and outer electrically nonconductive containment tubes, which contain a solid mixture of titanium hydride and fullerene in the annular cylindrical volume between them. The mixture is resistively heated by application of a high power electrical current to produce a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and fullerene within a few tens of microseconds. The resulting mixture of hydrogen and fullerene is introduced radially into an accelerator tube passing through the gas cartridge, where the gas mixture is ionized, accelerated and injected as a plasma jet into the target plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: John Robert Thompson, Ioan-Niculae Bogatu
  • Publication number: 20120027151
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Vitaly Bystriskii, Euseblo Garate, Yuanxu Song, Michael Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110293056
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating and/or compressing plasmas to thermonuclear temperatures and densities are provided. In one aspect, at least one of at least two plasmoids separated by a distance is accelerated towards the other. The plasmoids interact, for instance to form a resultant plasmoid, to convert a kinetic energy into a thermal energy. The resultant plasmoid is confined in a high energy density state using a magnetic field. One or more plasmoids may be compressed. Energy may be recovered, for example via a blanket and/or directly via one or more coils that create a magnetic field and/or circuits that control the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: MSNW, LLC
    Inventor: John T. Slough
  • Publication number: 20110261918
    Abstract: Neutrons and multi-neutron particles are generated in a specially configured solid iron electrical solenoid in which photoneutrons from a metallic strip irradiated by laser photons are selectively polarized and fused together. Nuclear binding energy is released by the nuclear reaction. These neutron generators can be joined in a series so that one feeds neutrons into the next neutron generator to increase the output neutron flux density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Willard H. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110142185
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for compression of a spheromak plasma (e.g., deuterium-trirtium (D-T)-derived) in a magnetic well configured within a plasma combustion chamber using an induction coil axially adjacent to the plasma, wherein a moveable member (e.g., piston, cam and follower) drives the induction coil toward the plasma, pushing the plasma via magnetic pressure into the magnetic well and compressing the plasma substantially adiabatically (e.g., coil motion is well below the plasma sound speed). The compression quickly increases both plasma density and temperature past the point of ignition, and after plasma burn, the coil is backed-off to allow the plasma to re-expand, providing for refueling and repetition of the compression cycle. Additionally provided are spaced annular plasma formation electrodes, suitably configured for generating and injecting magnetized plasma into a plasma combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Woodruff Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20110044419
    Abstract: The present invention solves the problems of reliably initiating a low energy fusion reaction by loading deuterium into palladium metal via the process of electrolysis and by initiating the fusion reaction via the application of nuclear acoustic resonance. Affixed on each side of an electrolysis cell are piezoelectric transducers driven by corresponding frequency synthesizers. Surrounding the cell is a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field generator. The application of nuclear acoustic resonance, i.e. the combined application of an alternating magnetic field and of high frequency acoustic waves causes the deuterium atoms resident in the closely packed palladium metallic lattice to fuse into helium atoms with the consequent release of energy that is inherent to the fusion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: James H. Cook
  • Publication number: 20110044418
    Abstract: The design of a compact, high-efficiency, high-flux capable compact-accelerator fusion neutron generator (FNG) is discussed. FNG's can be used in a variety of industrial analysis applications to replace the use of radioisotopes which pose higher risks to both the end user and national security. High efficiency, long lifetime, and high power-handling capability are achieved though innovative target materials and ion source technology. The device can be scaled up for neutron radiography applications, or down for borehole analysis or other compact applications. Advanced technologies such as custom neutron output energy spectrum, pulsing, and associated particle imaging can be incorporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Starfire Industries LLC
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Stubbers, Brian Edward Jurczyk, Darren Adam Alman, Matthew David Coventry, Michael Jerome Schaus
  • Patent number: 7869556
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a plasma device (100) is described in which particles (2) are arranged in a plasma, wherein a generation of electric travelling waves (1) is provided, under whose effective action the particles (2) in the plasma device (100) perform a directed movement to at least one pre-determined collection area (20, 20A). A plasma device for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Gregor Morfill, Uwe Konopka, Hubertus M. Thomas, Wolfgang Jacob, Beatrice Annaratone, Martin Fink, Noriyoshi Sato, Tetsuji Shimizu, Timo Stuffler
  • Patent number: 7656989
    Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Wood, Roger W. Melin, Mark K. Browder, Steve E. Calico
  • Publication number: 20100002823
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Hendrik J. Monkhorst, Norman Rostoker
  • Publication number: 20090290673
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and devices for producing stable hot plasma. In particular, the invention can be applied for realizing stable plasma in a thermonuclear reactor to provide energy source for power generation. In the method plasma is confined by pressure of AC magnetic field concentrated in a layer between plasma surface and surrounding conducting shell in which stabilizing feedback on the confined plasma is created by achieving conservation of the AC magnetic flux amplitude. The device for realization of the proposed method comprises a toroidal conducting shell filled with plasma, with AC voltages applied to insulated cuts in the shell made in poloidal and toroidal directions such that said AC magnetic field is created by AC currents in the shell and image currents on the plasma surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Vladimir Aleksandrovich Svidzinski
  • Patent number: 6477216
    Abstract: A compound plasma configuration can be formed from a device having pins, and an annular electrode surrounding the pins. A cylindrical conductor is electrically connected to, and coaxial with, the annular electrode, and a helical conductor coaxial with the cylindrical conductor. The helical conductor is composed of wires, each wire electrically connected to each pin. The annular electrode and the pins are disposed in the same direction away from the interior of the conducting cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Paul M. Koloc
  • Publication number: 20010046273
    Abstract: A compound plasma configuration can be formed from a device having pins, and an annular electrode surrounding the pins. A cylindrical conductor is electrically connected to, and coaxial with, the annular electrode, and a helical conductor coaxial with the cylindrical conductor. The helical conductor is composed of wires, each wire electrically connected to each pin. The annular electrode and the pins are disposed in the same direction away from the interior of the conducting cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: PAUL M. KOLOC
  • Patent number: 5923716
    Abstract: Featured is a plasma extrusion dynamo and methods related thereto. Also featured are fusion reactors using such dynamos and methods. In the methodology of the present invention, a steady-state stream of conductive plasma is forced by pressure or momentum to flow into a magnetic extrusion nozzle made up of converging magnetic field lines so as to form a closed, steady-state current loop within the plasma. The plasma current loop in turn forms a closed set of poloidal field lines which interact with the plasma current to compress and confine a portion of the plasma in a toroidal volume. Such pressure and confinement establish the conditions for magnetically confining controlled nuclear fusion reactions for power generation. A fusion reactor using the plasma extrusion dynamo methodology includes a source of high pressure or high velocity plasma, one or more converging magnetic extrusion nozzles, and a plasma exhaust area at low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: G. B. Kirby Meacham
  • Patent number: 5517083
    Abstract: Magnetic point pole placements in a generally spherical arrangement of electromagnets forms a magnetic field. The magnetic arrangements use five regular geometric structures and geodesic triacon breakdowns of these geometric structures. Magnets are placed at the corners of each of the solids, oriented along the radii of the solid, with similar poles pointing inward. The magnets are at the same distance from structure center, and are identical in length and strength. Magnetic vector maps of fields within the structures are compared to current magnetic mirror plasma confinement fields. Non-symmetrical arrangements of magnets using regular geometric structures include specific magnets removed and new magnets added, resulting in a local monopole magnetic field and local inner field reversed mirror, depending on whether just one or both poles of the additional magnet are within the structure. Finally, the nesting of solids is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Stephen A. Whitlock
  • Patent number: 5138271
    Abstract: In a method for cooling a charged particle beam that is available in a charged particle beam apparatus such as a ring-shaped accelerator or a storage ring of charged particles, a magnetic field is generated in the traveling direction of a charged particle beam by means of a solenoid magnet (5) disposed along the charged particle beam to cause the charged particles to perform cyclotron gyration motion, and also a high-frequency field is sent from a high-frequency resonator (4) for stimulating cyclotron maser antiparallel or parallel to the charged particle beam. Thereby, a non-uniform part of kinetic energy of the charged particle beam within a plane normal to the beam is radiated in the form of cyclotron maser, and improvement in an emittance of the charged particle beam and unification of the total energy are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Hidetsugu Ikegami
  • Patent number: 5041760
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and utilizing a compound plasma configuration is disclosed. The plasma configuration includes a central toroidal plasma with electrical currents surrounded by a generally ellipsoidal mantle of ionized particles or electrically conducting matter. The preferred methods of forming this compound plasma configuration include the steps of forming a helical ionized path in a gaseous medium and simultaneously discharging a high potential through the ionized path to produce a helical or heliform current which collapses on itself to produce a toroidal current, or generating a toroidal plasmoid, supplying magnetic energy to the plasmoid, and applying fluid pressure external to the plasmoid. The apparatus of the present invention includes a pressure chamber wherein the compound plasma configuration can be isolated or compressed by fluid or other forms of mechanical or magnetic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Paul M. Koloc
  • Patent number: 4992696
    Abstract: The present invention identifies several configurations of conducting elements capable of supporting extremely high magnetic fields suitable for plasma confinement, wherein forces experienced by the conducting elements are significantly reduced over those which are present as a result of the generation of such high fields by conventional techniques. It is anticipated that the use of superconducting materials will both permit the attainment of such high fields and further permit such fields to be generated with vastly improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Melvin L. Prueitt, Fred M. Mueller, James L. Smith
  • Patent number: 4942338
    Abstract: Ionized gas is provided by a feed tube and is formed into a generally spherical body of plasma having an oscillating magnetic field. Three rotatable wheel-like members are disposed symmetrically about the body of plasma and are rotated in synchronism in such a direction that the portions of the rotatable member adjacent the body of plasma move upwardly and away from the body. The movable members move in planes disposed generally radially of the body of plasma. The movable members each include bands of high permeability material which cooperate with the magnetic field to produce forces of magnetic attraction which retain the body of plasma in a central suspended position spaced from the rotatable members. The lower portions of the rotatable members are cooled by a circulating coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Sam Bida
    Inventor: Sam Bida
  • Patent number: 4853173
    Abstract: A method of producing fusion reactions comprises the steps of bringing deuterium ions from an ion source to run in a substantially closed path for accumulation of the ions to a predetermined density, whereupon the ions are deflected towards a reaction center inside this closed path. An apparatus for a fusion reactor includes two annular, coaxially disposed magnets (12,20) which are disposed to produce magnetic fields in a vacuum tank. The inner magnet (20) produces a homogenous field transversely to the plane in which deuterium ions are intended to circulate prior to reaction, and the outer magnet (12,14) produces an inhomogenous field which decreases outwardly in radial direction and is also directed transversely to said plane. Electrodes (16,18) are provided to produce a radial electric field in the area having said inhomogenous magnetic field, which electric field is directed transversely to this inhomogenous field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Rolf Stenbacka
  • Patent number: 4735763
    Abstract: A fusion power monitor including a circulating activation medium being activated as it passes by the fusion reaction. The radioactivity of the activation medium is sensed by a remote detector to give an indication of fusion power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: William G. Pettus, Holland D. Warren
  • Patent number: 4687616
    Abstract: Cyclotron breakdown is prevented in a partially evacuated waveguide by providing a section of waveguide having an axial cut therein in order to apply a potential across the two halves of the waveguide. This section is positioned in the waveguide crossing the area of electron cyclotron resonance. The potential applied across the waveguide halves is used to deflect seed electrons into the wall of the waveguide in order to prevent ionization of gas molecules and creation of more electron ion pairs which would result in cyclotron breakdown. Support means is also disclosed for electrically isolating the waveguide halves and transition means is provided between the section of the waveguide with the axial cut and the solid waveguide at either end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Charles P. Moeller
  • Patent number: 4668464
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining three-dimensional MHD equilibrium in a plasma contained in a helical axis stellerator includes a resonant coil system, having a configuration such that current therethrough generates a magnetic field cancelling the resonant magnetic field produced by currents driven by the plasma pressure on any given flux surface resonating with the rotational transform of another flux surface in the plasma. Current through the resonant coil system is adjusted as a function of plasma beta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Allan Reiman, Allen Boozer
  • Patent number: 4641031
    Abstract: An ion source apparatus comprising a bulk type thermionic cathode, which, when heated, emits thermoelectrons; an anode for causing a gas discharge in cooperation with the cathode thereby producing plasma; a grid electrode for extracting ions out of the plasma; a magnetic member for confining the plasma within a prescribed region; and a ferromagnetic body which surrounds the thermionic cathode. The ferromagnetic body removes the lines of magnetic force produced by magnets from the neighborhood of the surface of the thermionic cathode. As a result, thermoelectrons are freely emitted from the thermionic cathode, thereby ensuring a stable gas discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Ito, Toru Sugawara
  • Patent number: 4618470
    Abstract: A fusion reactor (10) includes a sphere (12). Structure (20) is disposed within the interior of the sphere (12) for producing a magnetic field. Structure (24, 26) is circumferentially disposed around the exterior of the sphere (12) for producing a countermagnetic field. Structure (28, 32, 38, 46a) is provided for injecting a gas containing fusible ions into the sphere (12). Structure (30, 32, 38, 46) is also provided for heating the gas within the interior of the sphere (12). Structure (62, 64, 66, 68) is provided for extracting heat from the sphere (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Austin N. Stanton
    Inventor: Winfield W. Salisbury
  • Patent number: 4560528
    Abstract: A magnetic well reversed field plasma pinch method and apparatus produces hot magnetically confined pinch plasma in a toroidal chamber having a major toroidal axis and a minor toroidal axis and a small aspect ratio. A reversed magnetic field pinch current channel within the plasma and at least one hyperbolic magnetic axis outside substantially all of the plasma form thereby a region of average magnetic well in a region of nested closed magnetic surfaces surrounding the plasma current channel when the magnetic field component in the direction of the hyperbolic magnetic axis is also made to be substantially less than zero in the vicinity of the hyperbolic magnetic axis. The magnetic well reversed field pinch is operated so that reversal of the safety factor q and of the toroidal magnetic field takes place within the plasma, and the plasma so produced closely approximates known theoretical stability conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: GA Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 4543231
    Abstract: A multipole plasma pinch method and apparatus produces hot magnetically confined z-pinch plasma with a plurality of z-pinch current channels arranged so as to generate a multipolar magnetic field and at least one hyperbolic magnetic axis within the plasma space roughly enclosed by the channels, forming thereby a region of average magnetic well in a region of nested closed plasma magnetic surfaces surrounding the plasma current channels, when the magnetic field component in the direction of the hyperbolic axis is also made to be substantially zero in the vicinity of the hyperbolic axis. The multipole pinch invention may be operated so that q and field reversal take place within the plasma, and the plasma so produced closely approximates known theoretical stability conditions. The well-producing hyperbolic axis of the present invention is produced effectively by replacing the solid conducting rings of prior art multipole plasma confinement devices by z-pinch-like toroidal current channel loops of plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: GA Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa