US3713967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energetic neutral particle injection system for controlled fusion reactor
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1971-06-18
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-06-18
Abstract
Abstract System including an ion source, particle accelerator and neutralizer cell for producing an energetic neutral particle beam which is directed into the containment zone of a controlled fusion reactor. Said beam includes a significant proportion of ionized particles and a proportion of the energetic neutrals are not trapped in the containment zone. Magnetic field means are used to deflect the ionized particles from the neutral particle beam and an ionizer cell is used to ionize neutral particles escaping from said containment zone. Means including spaced arrays of grid structures are arranged to deflect electrons and collect the deflected and reionized particles in a manner adapted to collect and convert the kinetic energy of the particles into electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 J Osher
- 👤 R Post
- 👤 G Hamilton
- 👤 R Moir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:55
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/14; H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/02; H05H1/22; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In apparatus for producing a controlled fusion reaction comprising means for producing a magnetic field defining a high temperature plasma containment zone and means for producing and directing a beam of energetic neutral particles along a beam path into said containment zone, said beam containing a significant proportion of energetic positive ions and electrons, in combination therewith; means for producing a magnetic field along a section of the path of said beam between said containment zone and said means for producing and directing a beam of energetic neutral particles therein and effective to deflect charged particles accompanied by electrons as a second beam away from said beam of energetic neutral particles to travel along a second path inclined angularly away from said beam; and collector-converter cell means including means for repelling electrons away from the second beam to yield a beam of energetic charged particles traveling along said second path, and a positively charged particle collector structure for retarding and collecting said charged particles at an electrical potential approaching the kinetic energy of said charged particles so that said charged particles acquire electrons on impact with said collector generating an electrical potential thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In apparatus for producing a controlled fusion reaction comprising means for producing a magnetic field defining a high temperature plasma containment zone and means for producing and directing a beam of energetic neutral particles along a beam path into said containment zone, said beam containing a significant proportion of energetic positive ions and electrons, in combination therewith; means for producing a magnetic field along a section of the path of said beam between said containment zone and said means for producing and directing a beam of energetic neutral particles therein and effective to deflect charged particles accompanied by electrons as a second beam away from said beam of energetic neutral particles to travel along a second path inclined angularly away from said beam; and collector-converter cell means including means for repelling electrons away from the second beam to yield a beam of energetic charged particles traveling along said second path, and a positively charged particle collector structure for retarding and collecting said charged particles at an electrical potential approaching the kinetic energy of said charged particles so that said charged particles acquire electrons on impact with said collector generating an electrical potential thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for producing and directing a beam of energetic neutral particles into said containment zone comprises ion source means for producing a beam of energetic positively charged particles and neutralizer cell means arranged to convert said charged particles into said beam of neutral particles directed along the beam path into said reactor containment zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said beam of energetic positively charged particles comprise at least one positive ion of a nuclide selected from the group consisting of 1H, D, T, 3He and 6Li.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said collector-converter cell means comprises an enclosure having an opening in one side with a first grid arranged thereacross for passage of said deflected charged particle beam therein and arranged to be connected to ground potential; a second grid disposed in spaced relation to said first grid within said enclosure and arranged for application of a negative potential thereto for repelling electrons from said deflected charged particle beam and allow positive ions of the beam to pass therethrough as a positive ion beam; and a collector electrode assembly comprising a closed vessel supported in insulated relation having an opening in one side arranged for entry of said positive ion beam and a grid arranged across said opening, said collector electrode assembly being arranged for application of a positive retarding potential thereto to slow said positive ions which accordingly impinge upon collector asseMbly components with small residual energy and acquire an electron so as to generate an electrical current in a circuit connected thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including gas ionizer cell means arranged for passage of energetic neutral particles emergent from said containment zone for converting said energetic neutral particles into a beam of energetic positive ions; expander means arranged to expand said beam of energetic positive ions along a divergent path; and a second collector electrode assembly arranged for converting the kinetic energy of the beam of positive ions into electrical current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said energetic neutral particle beam comprises a plurality of different molecular weight ionic species wherefor said magnetic field deflects said ions along a plurality of beam paths, and wherein one of said collector electrode assemblies is arranged to intercept each respective one of said beams of ionic species.
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) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |