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US3668065A
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Apparatus for the conversion of high temperature plasma energy into electrical energy
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-09-15
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-09-15
Abstract
Abstract High temperature plasma is produced in a controlled thermonuclear reactor and a plasma beam is directed therefrom through an expander having a decreasing intensity magnetic field to provide an ion beam in which the ions have substantially only translational kinetic energy. The ions of the beam are then directed, by application of an E X B field, into an offset collector system having collectors arranged in a zig-zag pattern while the electrons are separated from the ions. The collectors situated in an E X B field have progressively lower retarding potentials applied thereto so that ions having a kinetic energy exceeding that of a particular stage are collected in successively lower energy groups to produce an electrical current therein. An advantage is obtained in that ions in a beam having a wide energy spread are collected at an electrode where there is a low energy differential between the effective retarding potential of the particular collector electrode and the group of energetic ions collected thereat making for efficient conversion of the kinetic energy of the particles into electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph W Moir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:26
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21B; G21B1/00; H; H02; H02N; H02N3/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for producing a plasma beam comprises a controlled fusion reactor means employing a magnetic containment field and wherein said plasma beam is discharged through a defined region of said magnetic field wherefor the energetic ions have a component of rotational kinetic energy, W , as well as a translational component of kinetic energy, W , directed along said beam path; and expander means providing a progressively decreased magnetic field along the path of said plasma beam so that the rotational kinetic energy, W , of said ions is converted into translational energy, W , directed along said beam path, said B-field in the region of said beam path constituting an extension of the magnetic field of said expander means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein a collector electrode is arranged to intercept the electrons remaining in the plasma beam traveling along said beam path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said controlled fusion reactor means comprises a Yin-Yang electromagnet coil system in the form of a pair of C-shaped coil segments each comprising a pair of spaced coextensive sectors joined by transverse curved end portions, said coil segments being arranged in mirror image 90* rotated intermeshing relationship to define a generally spheroidal central volume in which a quadrupole minimum B magnetic containment field is generated by said coil system, corresponding portions of the sectors of one of said coil segments being proportional to create a magnetic mirror field of decreased intensity therebetween through which said plasma beam is discharged along said beam path; and means for introducing, forming and trapping energetic fusionable light nuclide ions into said containment field to create a high temperature plasma therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said fusionable light nuclide ions comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of P, D, T, He3 and Li6 and the plasma temperature in the range of about 30 Kev to above about 700 Kev.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including vacuum vessel means enclosing the region occupied by said containment field with intercommunicating extensions thereof enclosing the beam path through the expander means as well as said collector stages; and vacuum pumping means for evacuating the region of said vacuum vessel means occupied by said containment field to below about 10 6 mm Hg and the extensions thereof to a pressure below about 10 5 mm Hg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including a retarding potential power supply together with means for converting electrical current generated in said collector electrode stages into a form adapted for delivery to a distribution system, and switching the retarding potential power supply to connect with said collector stages and to connect said collector stages to said means for converting electrical current for delivery to said distribution system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for creating an E X B field comprises planar electrodes disposed in parallel spaced relation across said beam path and collector system and energizable with an electric potential to create an electric field with a vector, -> E, perpendicular to said Beam path and channel defined by said electrodes together with electromagnet conductors disposed outwardly of said planar electrodes for establishing a B-field in the direction of said beam path and transverse to said channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the collector stage electrodes comprise plate electrodes disposed in a row along each side of said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the collector stage electrodes comprise an elongated plate electrode disposed along the side of said channel, disposed furthermost along said beam path and to which the highest retarding potential is applied, together with a series of plate electrodes disposed in a row on the opposite side of said channel to which said progressively decreased retarding potential is applied.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |