Patent classifications
H05H1/12
HYBRID REACTOR USING ELECTRICAL AND MAGNETIC FIELDS
Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for producing and controlling and fusion activities of nuclei. Hydrogen atoms or other neutral species (neutrals) are induced to rotational motion in a confinement region as a result of ion-neutral coupling, in which ions are driven by electric and magnetic fields. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions including aneutronic reactions such as proton-boron-11 fusion reactions.
PLASMA FLOW INTERACTION SIMULATOR
A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.
PLASMA FLOW INTERACTION SIMULATOR
A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ELECTRON SPIRAL TOROIDS
A spheromak is a plasma of ions and electrons formed into a toroidal shape. A spheromak plasma can include electrons and ions of nearly equal amounts such that it is essentially charge neutral. It contains large internal electrical currents and their associated internal magnetic fields arranged so that the forces within the spheromak are nearly balanced. The spheromak described herein is observed to form around an electric arc in partial atmosphere, and is observed to be self-stable with no external magnetic containment.
Plasma flow interaction simulator
A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.
Plasma flow interaction simulator
A plasma interaction simulator is presented. The simulator magnetically induces multiple distinct flows of plasma within a physical plasma vessel. The plasma flows collide with each other at flow interaction boundaries where discontinuities arising due to differences between the flows give rise to interactions. Sensors can be incorporated into the plasma simulator to observe and collect data about the plasma flow interactions.
APPARATUS 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.
APPARATUS 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.
Magnetized coaxial plasma generation device
Provided is a magnetized coaxial plasma generation device having increased magnetization efficiency and capable of improving power conservation and reducing the thermal load on a coil. The magnetized coaxial plasma generation device generating spheromak plasma comprises: an external electrode (1); an internal electrode (2); a plasma generation gas supply section (3); a power supply circuit (4); a bias coil (5); a pulse power supply (6) for the bias coil; a magnetic flux conservation section (7); and a control section (8). The bias coil (5) is disposed inside the internal electrode and generates a bias magnetic field between the external and internal electrodes. The pulse power supply (6) for the bias coil pulse-drives the bias coil. The magnetic flux conservation section (7) is disposed outside the external electrode. The control section controls the pulse power supply for the bias coil so as to pulse-drive the bias coil for a time sufficient to apply a bias magnetic field necessary to generate the spheromak plasma between the external and internal electrodes and within a time shorter than a skin time of the magnetic flux of the bias magnetic field into the magnetic flux conservation section.
Magnetized coaxial plasma generation device
Provided is a magnetized coaxial plasma generation device having increased magnetization efficiency and capable of improving power conservation and reducing the thermal load on a coil. The magnetized coaxial plasma generation device generating spheromak plasma comprises: an external electrode (1); an internal electrode (2); a plasma generation gas supply section (3); a power supply circuit (4); a bias coil (5); a pulse power supply (6) for the bias coil; a magnetic flux conservation section (7); and a control section (8). The bias coil (5) is disposed inside the internal electrode and generates a bias magnetic field between the external and internal electrodes. The pulse power supply (6) for the bias coil pulse-drives the bias coil. The magnetic flux conservation section (7) is disposed outside the external electrode. The control section controls the pulse power supply for the bias coil so as to pulse-drive the bias coil for a time sufficient to apply a bias magnetic field necessary to generate the spheromak plasma between the external and internal electrodes and within a time shorter than a skin time of the magnetic flux of the bias magnetic field into the magnetic flux conservation section.