Electromagnetic Wave Energy Patents (Class 376/132)
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Patent number: 11495362Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions from aneutronic, fusion reactions that produce essentially no neutrons, to neutronic, fusion reactions that produce substantial numbers of neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ALPHA RING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Alfred Y. Wong, Charles Rinzler, David A. Woodbury
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Patent number: 11469002Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions from aneutronic, fusion reactions that produce essentially no neutrons, to neutronic, fusion reactions that produce substantial numbers of neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: ALPHA RING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Alfred Y. Wong, Charles Rinzler, David A. Woodbury
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Patent number: 11462334Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions from aneutronic, fusion reactions that produce essentially no neutrons, to neutronic, fusion reactions that produce substantial numbers of neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: ALPHA RING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Alfred Y. Wong, Charles Rinzler, David A. Woodbury
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Patent number: 11450440Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions from aneutronic, fusion reactions that produce essentially no neutrons, to neutronic, fusion reactions that produce substantial numbers of neutrons.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Alpha Ring International LimitedInventors: Alfred Y. Wong, Charles Rinzler, David A. Woodbury
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Patent number: 10976708Abstract: A clock apparatus includes: (a) a gas cell, including a continuous path cavity including a sealed interior for providing a signal waveguide; (b) an apparatus for providing an electromagnetic wave to travel along the continuous path cavity and for circulating around the continuous path cavity back toward and past a point of entry of the electromagnetic wave in the continuous path cavity; (c) a dipolar gas inside the sealed interior of the cavity; and (d) receiving apparatus for detecting an amount of energy in the electromagnetic wave, wherein the amount of energy is responsive to an amount of absorption of the electromagnetic wave as the electromagnetic wave passes through the dipolar gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Bichoy Bahr, Argyrios Dellis, Adam Joseph Fruehling
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Patent number: 9123512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNVIERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventor: Norman Rostoker
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Patent number: 9047695Abstract: A transformation method for diffusion spectrum imaging includes: receiving an original DSI dataset and a template DSI dataset; computing an energy function; computing, for each time point, first-order and second-order derivatives of the energy function with respect to velocity fields in an image space and in a q-space; computing, for each time point, the velocity fields in the image space and in the q-space based upon the first-order and second-order derivatives; performing integration on the velocity fields over time to obtain a deformation field; and generating a transformed DSI dataset according to the deformation field.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: National Taiwan UniversityInventors: Isaac Wen-Yih Tseng, Yung-Chin Hsu
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Patent number: 7869556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7656989Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: James R. Wood, Roger W. Melin, Mark K. Browder, Steve E. Calico
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Patent number: 7340025Abstract: A plasma antenna generator includes a ceramic portion including an ionizable material, an explosive charge adapted to project at least part of the ceramic portion upon detonation at a velocity sufficient to ionize the ionizable material, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. A plasma antenna generator includes a housing defining a plurality of openings therein and a plurality of shaped charge devices or a plurality of explosively formed projectile devices received in the openings. Each of the devices includes an explosive charge, a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, and a ceramic liner, the ceramic liner comprising an ionizing material. A method includes providing an explosive device and a ceramic portion comprising an ionizable material disposed proximate the explosive device, detonating the explosive device to propel the ceramic portion, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Roger W. Melin, Joseph M. Wright
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Patent number: 5375149Abstract: An apparatus and method of extracting power from energetic ions produced by nuclear fusion in a toroidal plasma to enhance respectively the toroidal plasma current and fusion reactivity. By injecting waves of predetermined frequency and phase traveling substantially in a selected poloidal direction within the plasma, the energetic ions become diffused in energy and space such that the energetic ions lose energy and amplify the waves. The amplified waves are further adapted to travel substantially in a selected toroidal direction to increase preferentially the energy of electrons traveling in one toroidal direction which, in turn, enhances or generates a toroidal plasma current. In an further adaptation, the amplified waves can be made to preferentially increase the energy of fuel ions within the plasma to enhance the fusion reactivity of the fuel ions. The described direct, or in situ, conversion of the energetic ion energy provides an efficient and economical means of delivering power to a fusion reactor.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Nathaniel J. Fisch, Jean M. Rax
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Stabilizing plasma in thermonuclear fusion reactions using resonant low level electromagnetic fields
Patent number: 5198181Abstract: Particles including fusible nuclei and electrons are contained in a fusion reaction vessel having a conductive length. The particles individually have a mass and a velocity, and are resonated by a weak magnetic field applied to the vessel at a magnetic flux density set according to a relation equating the gravitational energy of the particles with the electromagnetic energy of the applied magnetic field. The magnetic field can be applied in addition to much stronger confinement and heating magnetic fields. The flux density B of the applied field is calculated according to the equation mc.sup.2 =Bvl coulomb, where m=the mass of a particle, c=the velocity of light, v=the mean orbital velocity of the earth about the sun, and l=the plasma circumference. At least two distinct particle masses are contained in the plasma, and distinct magnetic fields can be applied to the plasma at flux densities calculated according to said equation mc.sup.2 =Bvl coulomb for at least said two distinct masses.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1992Date of Patent: March 30, 1993Inventor: Jerry I. Jacobson -
Patent number: 4927592Abstract: A reversed field pinch apparatus is equipped with a first OH coil and a second OH coil which are inductively coupled with a plasma. The first OH coil is supplied a low-level alternating current for performing F-.THETA. pumping, while the second OH coil is supplied a high-level direct current for forming a plasma current.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1988Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sataro Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 4735764Abstract: An open waveguide electromagnetic wave radiator is used to radiate electromagnetic waves of cyclotron frequency to plasma within a vacuum container. This radiator comprises a waveguide having evacuation holes and containing ridges having a T-shaped cross-section, a radiator section connected to, and integrally formed with, the open end of the waveguide, evacuation pipes connected to the evacuation holes, a chamber enclosing the closed end portion of the waveguide and the evacuation pipes, and a pump for evacuating the chamber. The evacuation holes are made in that wall of the waveguide to which the leg of one of the ridges is connected.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1986Date of Patent: April 5, 1988Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Toru Sugawara
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Patent number: 4710339Abstract: Plasma including plasma ions is magnetically confined by a magnetic field. The plasma has a defined outer surface and is intersected by resonance surfaces of respective common ion cyclotron frequency of a predetermined species of plasma ions moving in the magnetic field. A radio frequency source provides radio frequency power at a radio frequency corresponding to the ion cyclotron frequency of the predetermined species of plasma ions moving in the field at a respective said resonance surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1984Date of Patent: December 1, 1987Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
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Patent number: 4687616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 1986Date of Patent: August 18, 1987Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Charles P. Moeller
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Patent number: 4661304Abstract: Disclosed is a resonant coil cavity wave launcher for energizing a plasma immersed in a magnetic field. Energization includes launching fast Alfven waves to excite ion cyclotron frequency resonances in the plasma. The cavity includes inductive and capacitive reactive members spaced no further than one-quarter wavelength from a first wall confinement chamber of the plasma. The cavity wave launcher is energized by connection to a waveguide or transmission line carrying forward power from a remote radio frequency energy source.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1984Date of Patent: April 28, 1987Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Francis W. Perkins, Jr., Shiu-Chu Chiu, Paul Parks, John M. Rawls
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Patent number: 4425295Abstract: A system for the generation of toroidal current in a plasma which is prepared in a toroidal magnetic field. The system utilizes the injection of high-frequency waves into the plasma by means of waveguides. The wave frequency and polarization are chosen such that when the waveguides are tilted in a predetermined fashion, the wave energy is absorbed preferentially by electrons traveling in one toroidal direction. The absorption of energy in this manner produces a toroidal electric current even when the injected waves themselves do not have substantial toroidal momentum. This current can be continuously maintained at modest cost in power and may be used to confine the plasma. The system can operate efficiently on fusion grade tokamak plasmas.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1981Date of Patent: January 10, 1984Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Nathaniel J. Fisch, Allen H. Boozer
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Patent number: 4423001Abstract: A system for the generation of toroidal current in a plasma which is prepared in a toroidal magnetic field. The system utilizes the injection of low-frequency waves into the plasma by means of phased antenna arrays or phased waveguide arrays. The plasma is prepared with a minority ion species of different charge state and different gyrofrequency from the majority ion species. The wave frequency and wave phasing are chosen such that the wave energy is absorbed preferentially by minority species ions traveling in one toroidal direction. The absorption of energy in this manner produces a toroidal electric current even when the injected waves themselves do not have substantial toroidal momentum. This current can be continuously maintained at modest cost in power and may be used to confine the plasma. The system can operate efficiently on fusion grade tokamak plasmas.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1981Date of Patent: December 27, 1983Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Nathaniel J. Fisch