US5557172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plasma beam generating method and apparatus which can generate a high-power plasma beam
Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-12-20
•
Granted: 1996-09-17
•
Expires: 2014-12-20
Abstract
Abstract In a plasma beam generating apparatus comprising a plasma source and an anode portion for receiving a plasma beam, a magnetic field generating device is arranged between the plasma source and the anode portion along an orbit of the plasma beam to generate magnetic field having magnetic gradient such that space charges are generated. The magnetic field generating device accelerates electron flow in the plasma beam to supply accelerated electron flow to the anode portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaru Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32431; H01J37/32623; H01J37/32009; H01J37/32357; H01J37/3266; H01J37/32688; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus comprising: a chamber for defining a discharge space; a plasma source mounted on said chamber to generate a plasma beam; an anode portion arranged within said chamber to receive said plasma beam; acceleration magnetic field generating means comprising a ring-shaped first permanent magnet arranged so as to surround an orbit of said plasma beam to provide the orbit of said plasma beam with a magnetic field having a magnetic gradient such that space charges are generated, said acceleration magnetic field generating means accelerating electron flow in said plasma beam to supply accelerated electron flow to said anode portion; and magnetic field controlling means arranged within said chamber for controlling said magnetic gradient by varying strength of the magnetic field generated by said acceleration magnetic field generating means, said magnetic field controlling means comprising a ring-shaped control magnetic field generating means arranged so as to surround the orbit of said plasma beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus comprising: a chamber for defining a discharge space; a plasma source mounted on said chamber to generate a plasma beam; an anode portion arranged within said chamber to receive said plasma beam; acceleration magnetic field generating means comprising a ring-shaped first permanent magnet arranged so as to surround an orbit of said plasma beam to provide the orbit of said plasma beam with a magnetic field having a magnetic gradient such that space charges are generated, said acceleration magnetic field generating means accelerating electron flow in said plasma beam to supply accelerated electron flow to said anode portion; and magnetic field controlling means arranged within said chamber for controlling said magnetic gradient by varying strength of the magnetic field generated by said acceleration magnetic field generating means, said magnetic field controlling means comprising a ring-shaped control magnetic field generating means arranged so as to surround the orbit of said plasma beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said acceleration magnetic field generating means generates, as said magnetic field, a cusp-shaped magnetic field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic field controlling means comprises a second permanent magnet and moving means for varying a relative positional relationship between said second permanent magnet and said first permanent magnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said magnetic field controlling means comprises a second permanent magnet and moving means for varying a relative positional relationship between said second permanent magnet and said first permanent magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second permanent magnet is located coaxially with said first permanent magnet, said moving means moving said second permanent magnet along the orbit of said plasma beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a shielding device, between said first permanent magnet and said second permanent magnet, for shielding electron flow by return flux from said first permanent magnet to said second permanent magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first permanent magnet and said second permanent magnet are located between said plasma source and said anode portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control magnetic field generating means comprises an electromagnetic coil arranged in a vicinity of said first permanent magnet, and a variable power supply means for controlling electric current which is supplied to said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control magnetic field generating means comprises an electromagnetic coil arranged in a vicinity of said first permanent magnet, and a variable power supply means for controlling electric current which is supplied to said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electromagnetic coil is located coaxially with said first permanent magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electromagnetic coil is located coaxially with said first permanent magnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first permanent magnet and said electromagnetic coil are located between said plasma source and said anode portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A plasma beam generating apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first permanent magnet and said electromagnetic coil are located between said plasma source and said anode portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5272155A
Cited
JPS58200529A
Cited
EP0284436A2
Cited
JPH02130279A
Cited
EP0403418A2
Cited
EP0429251A2
Cited
JPH0521392A
Cited
US5296714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |