US3892970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Relativistic electron beam device
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
•
Filing: 1974-06-11
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1994-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An electron beam device for irradiating spherical hydrogen isotope bearing targets may include hollow cathodes facing each other, means for injecting an anode plasma at a plane between the cathodes, and means for producing an approximately 10 nanosecond, megajoule pulse between the anode plasma and the cathodes. Targets may be repetitively positioned within the anode plasma between the cathodes, and the accelerator diode structure arrangement permits adjacent materials to survive repetitive operation as required in a fusion power source.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Freeman
- 👤 James W Poukey
- 👤 Steven L Shope
- 👤 Gerold Yonas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:20
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/02; H05H1/22; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An electron beam device comprising first and second cathodes separated from each other by a gap on a common longitudinal axis; means for providing and injecting an anode plasma intermediate said cathodes at said gap along a plane perpendicular to said axis; and means for producing electron beams between said anode plasma and said cathodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electron beam device comprising first and second cathodes separated from each other by a gap on a common longitudinal axis; means for providing and injecting an anode plasma intermediate said cathodes at said gap along a plane perpendicular to said axis; and means for producing electron beams between said anode plasma and said cathodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cathodes are of annular configuration and said anode plasma injecting means is intermediate the cathodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cathodes each include a discharge surface generally facing each other and said plasma injecting means and said discharge is produced simultaneously from throughout the circumference of said cathode discharge surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said annular configuration cathodes include inwardly converging wall portions terminating in said discharge surfaces and in circular end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said converging wall portions are in a line with the center point between said cathodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein a housing encloses said tapering wall portions, and means is provided for evacuating gases and products therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said housing includes spherical shaped inner and outer walls enclosing blanket means for converting neutron output to electrical energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimeD in claim 7 wherein means is provided for supplying targets to said housing within the confines of said cathodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said anode plasma injecting means is substantially concomitant with said circular end walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said anode plasma injecting means includes inwardly tapering wall portions terminating with a nozzle coextensive with said circular end walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said electron beam producing means includes a pulse forming line coupled to said wall portions of said cathodes and to said anode plasma injecting means throughout the circumference thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said electron beam producing means includes means for injecting electrical energy into the outer periphery of said pulse forming line for simultaneous application of an electrical discharge pulse to said cathodes and anode plasma throughout their circumference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 including means for repetitively injecting hydrogen isotope bearing targets to a central location between said cathodes and then actuating said anode plasma providing means and said electron beam producing means to sequentially irradiate said targets one at a time with electron beams from both of said cathodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3094474A
Cited
US3720828A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |