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Magnetic confinement of plasma

Subclass of:

376 - Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements

376100000 - NUCLEAR FUSION

Patent class list (only not empty are listed)

Deeper subclasses:

Class / Patent application numberDescriptionNumber of patent applications / Date published
376121000 Magnetic confinement of plasma 55
20100002823Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion - 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.01-07-2010
20110044419ENERGY GENERATION BY NUCLEAR ACOUSTIC RESONANCE - 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.02-24-2011
20110142185DEVICE FOR COMPRESSING A COMPACT TOROIDAL PLASMA FOR USE AS A NEUTRON SOURCE AND FUSION REACTOR - 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. Preferably, spaced annular plasma formation electrodes are used in combination with moveable compression members as disclosed herein.06-16-2011
20130039452Fusion of photonic solenoids - 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.02-14-2013
20130235963Deuterium Reactor - 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.09-12-2013
20160027533METHOD OF FORMING STABLE STATES OF DENSE HIGH-TEMPERATURE PLASMA - A method is proposed for forming stable states of a dense high-temperature plasma, including plasmas for controlled fusion, the method comprising: generating a dense high-temperature plasma in pulsed heavy-current discharges, followed by injecting the plasma from the area of a magnetic field with parameters corresponding to the conditions of gravitational emission of electrons with a banded energy spectrum and subsequent energy transfer along the spectrum (cascade transition) into the long wavelength region (of eV-energy), this leading to the state of locking and amplification of the gravitational emission in the plasma with simultaneous compression thereof to the states of hydrostatic equilibrium, with using multielectron atoms as a prerequisite element in the composition of a working gas, for quenching the spontaneous gravitational emission from the ground energy levels (the keV-region) of the electron in the proper gravitational field.01-28-2016
376122000 Plasma formed in situ by laser 1
20110261918Neutron and multi-neutron generator - 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.10-27-2011
376123000 Principal heating by wave energy 1
20150063518Neutron Source - The present invention provides a neutron generating device for generating a high neutron flux by forming plasma in a high density in the vicinity of a target and by preventing the target surface from being excessively heated. Magnetic field is formed in the vicinity of the target to generate plasma inside a space, in which the magnetic field is formed so as to produce plasma in a high density in the vicinity of the target, thereby allowing a high neutron flux to be emitted from a target. Also, the present invention prevents the target surface from being excessively heated by producing plasma in pulsed mode and by applying target voltage in pulsed mode and secures a continuous process by adjusting a target bias voltage for targets that have depleted the adsorbed elements during the process to allow re-adsorption.03-05-2015
376125000 Imploding liners 2
20140023170APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FUSION BASED POWER GENERATION AND ENGINE THRUST GENERATION - Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.01-23-2014
20150364220APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FUSION BASED POWER GENERATION AND ENGINE THRUST GENERATION - Systems and methods establish a magnetically insulated fusion process. An exemplary embodiment establishes a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma, wherein the FRC plasma is a closed field, magnetically confined plasma; collapses a metal shell about the FRC plasma; and establishes a fusion reaction in response to collapsing the metal shell about the FRC plasma.12-17-2015
376126000 With enveloping charged particle confinement (e.g., E or P layer) 1
20160189803FORMATION OF A FIELD REVERSED CONFIGURATION FOR MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT OF PLASMA - A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.06-30-2016
376127000 With injection of electrically charged or accelerated particles 15
20090028282MICROWAVE-POWERED PELLET ACCELERATOR - 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 (D01-29-2009
20090220039FORMATION OF A FIELD REVERSED CONFIGURATION FOR MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT OF PLASMA - A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.09-03-2009
20110200153MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC NUCLEAR FUSION REACTOR - An apparatus and method for confining and fusing charged particles. The charged particles have positive and negative ions from neutronic and aneutronic fuels. For confining radially charged particles, at least two, preferably six, magnetic fields to form a cusp region for injecting charged particles. An electric field at the cusp region for accelerating charged particles, and an opposite electric field for trapping longitudinally charged particles allowing only charged products to escape. The charged products are worthwhile for spacecraft propulsion and direct electricity conversion. The electrostatic acceleration method can reach great kinetic energy (7 billion ° C.) at low energy consumption. The preferred embodiment achieves a true three-dimensional confinement plus a three-dimensional charged particles injection. Also disclosed is an elementary resonance method for increasing fusion rate, a highly efficient direct electricity conversion by neutralization process, and a system for recycling magnets bore heat energy for generating electricity, becoming self-sustaining.08-18-2011
20120027150High flux fast neutron generator - High flux neutron generator for fast neurons is invented, using a cylindrical inertial electrostatic confinement (Cylindrical IECF) fusion reactor. In order to achieve high flux (more than 1002-02-2012
20120027151INDUCTIVE PLASMA SOURCE AND PLASMA CONTAINMENT - 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.02-02-2012
20140219407Rotating High-Density Fusion Reactor For Aneutronic and Neutronic Fusion - A fusion device produces fusion of neutral atoms and ions in an “aneutronic fusion” manner without neutrons as products utilizes strong ion-neutral coupling at high neutral densities. Ions and neutrals rotate together in a cylindrical chamber due to frequent collisions. High magnetic forces make the attainment of high rotation energy possible; the magnetic field in a medium can be set at very high values because of the absence of magnetic charges. The repeated acceleration by strong magnetic forces in the azimuthal direction makes possible very high ion velocity. Fusion takes place mainly between neutral particles. This approach can be applied to fusion with neutrons as well. Conventional fusion schemes and neutron sources can be realized using the principles described above in the generation of neutrals of high energies and densities.08-07-2014
376128000 Plasma injection 4
20090168945APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT OF PLASMA - An apparatus and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.07-02-2009
20100046687FORMATION OF A FIELD REVERSED CONFIGURATION FOR MAGNETIC AND ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT OF PLASMA - A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.02-25-2010
20150294742METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM TO REDUCE NEUTRON PRODUCTION IN SMALL CLEAN FUSION REACTORS - The invention is for a system and method to reduce neutron production from a deuterum-helium-3 (D-10-15-2015
20170236599INDUCTIVE PLASMA SOURCE AND PLASMA CONTAINMENT08-17-2017
376129000 Negatively charged particle injection 3
20110085632SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAGNETICALLY ASSISTED INERTIAL ELECTROSTATIC CONFINEMENT FUSION - In one embodiment, a nuclear fusion-generating device includes a cathodic magnet having a polyhedral structure formed from current-carrying leg sections and adapted to generate a multi-poled magnetic field such that the curvature of the magnetic field lines are everywhere convex within a magnet interior region. An ion generating system injects ions into a center of the magnet interior region at energies favoring a nuclear fusion cross-section of the ions. The current-carrying elements can be powered and configured to confine electrons into the center of the magnet interior region to function as a cathode that neutralizes ionic space charges and facilitates ion movement along paths that do not intersect solid structures. The current-carrying elements can be formed with a radial-to-azimuthal aspect ratio that favors increased transparency to the ions without sacrificing magnetic field strength.04-14-2011
20110170647Method and apparatus for controlling charged particles - An apparatus and method for controlling charged particles. The charged particles comprise electrons and positive ions. A magnetic field having only point cusps is used to confine energetic injected electrons and so to generate a negative potential well. Positive ions injected into or created within the negative potential well are trapped therein. The magnetic field is generated by current-carrying elements arranged at positions spaced from but closely adjacent and parallel to edges of a polyhedron which has an even number of faces surrounding each vertex or corner. The current-carrying elements must be spaced apart at their corners (the vertices of the polyhedron) so as not to touch, and the containing structures for the current-carrying coils of the magnetic-field-providing system are conformal to the fields so produced.07-14-2011
20160093406FUSION ENERGY DEVICE WITH INTERNAL ION SOURCE - An improved fusion reactor design with provision for supplying plasma fuel inside a model reactor without consuming additional power in the process. Embodiments provide free choice of useful fuels from the full range of fusible isotopes. Other embodiments provide means of selectively extracting up-scattered electrons from the plasma, followed by replacing them with electrons of corrected energy. Computer simulations show fusion reactors constructed with these inventive improvements will demonstrate increased net-power compared to other fusion reactors of similar size. The Specification of the invention leads immediately to staged reactor development, starting from small-scale model-reactors, moving on to larger and larger scale models, culminating with commercial power plants.03-31-2016
376130000 Neutral particle injection 2
20110188623Rotating High Density Fusion Reactor for aneutronic and neutronic fusion - An energy-producing fusion device produces fusion of neutral atoms and ions in an “aneutronic fusion” manner without neutrons as productsutilizes strong ion-neutral coupling at high neutral densities. Ions and neutrals rotate together in a cylindrical chamber due to frequent collisions. High magnetic forces make the attainment of high rotation energy possible; the magnetic field in a medium can be set at very high values because of the absence of magnetic charges. The repeated acceleration by strong magnetic forces in the azimuthal direction makes possible very high ion velocity. Fusion takes place mainly between neutral particles. This approach can be applied to fusion with neutrons as well. Conventional fusion schemes and neutron sources can be realized using the principles described above in the generation of neutrals of high energies and densities.08-04-2011
20130315360Rotating High Density Fusion Reactor for Aneutronic and Neutronic Fusion - A fusion device produces fusion of neutral atoms and ions in an “aneutronic fusion” manner without neutrons as products utilizes strong ion-neutral coupling at high neutral densities. Ions and neutrals rotate together in a cylindrical chamber due to frequent collisions. High magnetic forces make the attainment of high rotation energy possible; the magnetic field in a medium can be set at very high values because of the absence of magnetic charges. The repeated acceleration by strong magnetic forces in the azimuthal direction makes possible very high ion velocity. Fusion takes place mainly between neutral particles. This approach can be applied to fusion with neutrons as well. Conventional fusion schemes and neutron sources can be realized using the principles described above in the generation of neutrals of high energies and densities.11-28-2013
376131000 Auxiliary heating 1
20150098543METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PRODUCE HIGH SPECIFIC IMPULSE AND MODERATE THRUST FROM A FUSION-POWERED ROCKET ENGINE - A system and method for producing and controlling high thrust and desirable specific impulse from a continuous fusion reaction is disclosed. The resultant relatively small rocket engine will have lower cost to develop, test, and operate that the prior art, allowing spacecraft missions throughout the planetary system and beyond. The rocket engine method and system includes a reactor chamber and a heating system produce fusion reactions the stable plasma. Magnets produce a magnetic field that confines the stable plasma. A fuel injection system and a propellant injection system are included. Cold propellant into a gas box for converting a cold propellant into a warm propellant plasma at one end of the reactor chamber. The propellant and fusion products are directed out of the reactor chamber through a magnetic nozzle and are detached from the magnetic field lines producing thrust.04-09-2015
376133000 Toroidal confinement of plasma 24
20090213976Process for Production of Energy and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Same - Process for energy production characterized by the generation of a positive concentric pulsating magnetic field by means of magnetic impulses convergent in only one point of the space, such to cause the temporary fusion of nuclei of hydrogen isotopes and their subsequent release; reactor for carrying out the process and apparatus containing said reactors.08-27-2009
20090290673Method and device for realizing stable plasma confinement by pressure of AC magnetic field which can be used for controlled nuclear fusion - 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. The amplitudes and relative phases of said voltages are rather arbitrary, in particular they can be selected such that the resultant magnetic vector rotates in the plane tangential to the plasma surface with nearly circular polarization exerting nearly time independent magnetic pressure on the plasma.11-26-2009
20100020913Method for obtainging plasma - A method for obtaining high temperature plasma in the Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology is described, allowing for compression, retention and heating plasma, which can be used for obtaining thermonuclear energy or laser pumping. The storage of the magnetic field energy is accomplished by creating a current in the winding of a solenoid over a working volume. In addition, a pulse toroidal magnetic field with force lines perpendicular to the magnetic field of the solenoid is created via the transmission of a current through the working volume. Then, the current is broken off in the solenoid winding when it reaches its maximum to excite a closed current loop in the plasma created in the working volume. The change of the direction of magnetic field outside the current-carrying loop in the plasma is achieved either by changing to the opposite direction of the current in the solenoid or transmitting the current in additional turns parallel to the turns of the solenoid.01-28-2010
20110026657SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSING PLASMA - 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.02-03-2011
20110026658SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLASMA COMPRESSION WITH RECYCLING OF PROJECTILES - Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.02-03-2011
20110170648FUSION NEUTRON SOURCE FOR BREEDING APPLICATIONS - 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.07-14-2011
20110170649MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT DEVICE WITH ALUMINUM OR ALUMINUM-ALLOY MAGNETS - Disclosed is a device comprising a chamber enclosed by walls about a central axis. The chamber has an inner radius and an outer radius relative to the central axis and is configured to magnetically contain a core plasma. The device is further comprised of a divertor plate configured for receiving exhaust heat. The divertor plate has a divertor radius relative to the central axis. The divertor radius is greater than or equal to the sum of a plasma minor radius and a major radius of the peak point closest to the corresponding divertor plate. The device can be used for containing a fusion plasma, as a compact fusion neutron source, or as a compact fusion energy source. Methods of exhausting heat from such a device when plasma is present therein are also described. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.07-14-2011
20110243292SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLASMA COMPRESSION WITH RECYCLING OF PROJECTILES - Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.10-06-2011
20120155591Method and apparatus for compressing plasma to a high energy state - 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.06-21-2012
20130089171Compact Fusion Reactor - A compact nuclear fusion reactor for use as a neutron source is described. The reactor comprises a toroidal plasma chamber (04-11-2013
20140211900Efficient Compact Fusion Reactor - An efficient compact nuclear fusion reactor for use as a neutron source or energy source is described. The reactor comprises a toroidal plasma chamber and a plasma confinement system arranged to generate a magnetic field for confining a plasma in the chamber. The plasma confinement system is configured so that a major radius of the confined plasma is 1.5 m or less. The reactor is constructed using high temperature superconducting toroidal magnets, which may be operated at low temperature (77K or lower) to provide enhanced performance. The toroidal magnetic field can be increased to 5 T or more giving significant increases in fusion output, so that neutron output is very efficient and the reactor can produce a net output of energy.07-31-2014
20140247913SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSING PLASMA - 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.09-04-2014
20140321587Magnetically Contained Energized Plasma - A method of inductively energizing a plasma in a confinement chamber (10-30-2014
20150036777SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLASMA COMPRESSION WITH RECYCLING OF PROJECTILES - Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.02-05-2015
20150380113METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR FUSION REACTIONS - 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.12-31-2015
20160150627SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLASMA COMPRESSION WITH RECYCLING OF PROJECTILES - Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are disclosed in which plasma can be compressed by impact of a projectile on a magnetized plasma in a liquid metal cavity. The projectile can melt in the liquid metal cavity, and liquid metal may be recycled to form new projectiles.05-26-2016
20160196882Method and Apparatus for Compressing Plasma to a High Energy State07-07-2016
20220139574TUBE ARRANGMENT AROUND A CORE - A system includes a core, a plurality of tubes, a plurality of gates, and a plurality of compressors. The core defines a plurality of openings. The plurality of tubes extend radially outward from the core. Each tube of the plurality of tubes includes (i) a first end interfacing with one of the plurality of openings and (ii) an opposing second end. Each gate of the plurality of gates is positioned at a respective opening of the plurality of openings of the core such that the plurality of gates are positioned to selectively prevent a backflow of liquid from the core through the plurality of openings and the first end of the plurality of tubes into the plurality of tubes. Each compressor of the plurality of compressors is associated with a respective tube of the plurality of tubes and is positioned at the opposing second end of the respective tube.05-05-2022
376134000 Divertors 3
20100046688MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT DEVICE - Disclosed is a device comprising a chamber enclosed by walls about a central axis. The chamber has an inner radius and an outer radius relative to the central axis and is configured to magnetically contain a core plasma. The device is further comprised of a divertor plate configured for receiving exhaust heat. The divertor plate has a divertor radius relative to the central axis. The divertor radius is greater than or equal to the sum of a plasma minor radius and a major radius of the peak point closest to the corresponding divertor plate. The device can be used for containing a fusion plasma, as a compact fusion neutron source, or as a compact fusion energy source. Methods of exhausting heat from such a device when plasma is present therein are also described. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.02-25-2010
20100119025REPLACEABLE FUSION NEUTRON SOURCE - Disclosed are a replaceable fusion core that can be inserted and removed from the core of a nuclear fission reactor, thereby enabling the replacement of materials exposed to neutron flux and reducing outage times and “hybrid reactor, method, and device for improved nuclear fusion reactors to provide sufficient flux of fast neutrons with sufficient energy to transmutate transuranic wastes from nuclear fission and to be used in improved nuclear fuel cycles so as to effectively reduce the amount radio-toxicity, and the risks and costs of the disposal of nuclear waste, thereby reducing the cost of nuclear energy and increasing its acceptability as an energy source. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.05-13-2010
20100329407MAGNETIC CONFINEMENT DEVICE - Disclosed is a device comprising a chamber enclosed by walls about a central axis. The chamber has an inner radius and an outer radius relative to the central axis and is configured to magnetically contain a core plasma. The device is further comprised of a divertor plate configured for receiving exhaust heat. The divertor plate has a divertor radius relative to the central axis. The divertor radius is greater than or equal to the sum of a plasma minor radius and a major radius of the peak point closest to the corresponding divertor plate. The device can be used for containing a fusion plasma, as a compact fusion neutron source, or as a compact fusion energy source. Methods of exhausting heat from such a device when plasma is present therein are also described. This abstract is intended for use as a scanning tool only and is not intended to be limiting.12-30-2010
376137000 With solid internal conductor 3
20080285700Supercell Communications and Energy Generator - A stellarator made of magnetic material containing nuclear fused gases with plasma the result and magnetic helical coils around stellarator. This is not a vacuum.11-20-2008
20130287156APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR PENETRATION OF THE COULOMB BARRIER - A device and method for penetrating the Coulomb barrier is disclosed. An electrode is positioned within a hollow shell, the shell enclosing an inner space containing a fusion reactive fuel such as deuterium. The inner space with the fuel is coaxially centered about the electrode, and a confinement layer made of a high dielectric strength material is located at the outer edge of the inner space, on the inside surface of the spherical shell. A high voltage power source charges the electrode, which causes a tightly packed fusion fuel nucleus cloud such as a deuteron cloud to form on the inner face of the confinement layer, facilitating coulomb barrier penetration. Using the device of the invention, conditions can also be created which enable Coulomb barrier penetration by firing nuclei towards the cloud of nuclei by applying high voltage pulses to the electrode.10-31-2013
20170236600Hybrid magnet for use in fusion reactors08-17-2017
376142000 Magnetic structure 4
20140301517Active Cooling of Structures Immersed in Plasma - A fusion reactor includes an enclosure having a first end, a second end, and a midpoint substantially equidistant between the first and second ends of the enclosure. The fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure and positioned on opposite sides of the midpoint of the enclosure, one or more encapsulating magnetic coils positioned on each side of the midpoint of the enclosure, two mirror magnetic coils positioned on opposite sides of the midpoint of the enclosure, and one or more cooling lines within each of the internal magnetic coils. The cooling lines carry a coolant and are operable to remove heat from the internal magnetic coils. The one or more encapsulating magnetic coils and the two mirror magnetic coils are coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The magnetic coils are operable, when supplied with electric currents, to form magnetic fields for confining plasma within the enclosure.10-09-2014
20140301518Magnetic Field Plasma Confinement for Compact Fusion Power - In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes a plurality of internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, one or more center magnetic coils coaxial with the plurality of internal magnetic coils, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and a plurality of mirror magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The encapsulating magnetic coils maintain a magnetic wall that prevents plasma within the enclosure from expanding.10-09-2014
20140301519Heating Plasma for Fusion Power Using Magnetic Field Oscillation - In one embodiment, a fusion reactor includes two internal magnetic coils suspended within an enclosure, a center magnetic coil coaxial with the two internal magnetic coils and located proximate to a midpoint of the enclosure, a plurality of encapsulating magnetic coils coaxial with the internal magnetic coils, and two mirror magnetic coil coaxial with the internal magnetic coils. The fusion reactor is configured to vary electrical currents supplied to the magnetic coils to heat the plasma confined within the magnetic wall.10-09-2014
20160180971Magnetic Torsion Accelerator06-23-2016

Patent applications in all subclasses Magnetic confinement of plasma

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