Inertial Flux Compression High Magnetic Field Generator

Abstract

This invention provides for means to create a long duration high magnetic field pulse. In addition, this invention provides means for repetitive non-destructive recycling to produce a series of high magnetic field pulses. The duty cycle is the duration of high magnetic field divided by period of cycling. One objective of this invention is to increase the duty cycle, another objective of this invention is to increase the peak magnetic field.

Claims

1. An apparatus for amplifying a magnetic field comprising, in combination: a. at least one cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield and b. a plurality of inwardly movable masses which can provide the force necessary to crush said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said crushable conductive magnetic shield is surrounded by a reusable strong high-pressure confining vessel.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reusable strong high-pressure confining vessel supports said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the momentum of said movable masses is sufficient to maintain an intensified magnetic field for in excess of 100 microseconds.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield can be removed and/or replaced to allow repetitive action of magnetic field compression.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the annular space between said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield and said reusable strong high-pressure confining vessel contains a high-pressure liquid.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the removal and/or replacement of said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield is in an axial direction relative to said cylindrical conductive magnetic shield.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the duty cycle of said amplified magnetic field duration per repetitive cycle exceeds one part in one thousand.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said high-pressure liquid assists in crushing said crushable conductive magnetic shield.

10. A method to amplify a magnetic field comprising: a. at least one cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield and b. at least one means of accelerating the inwardly movable masses to provide the force necessary to crush said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a method to surround said crushable conductive magnetic shield with a reusable strong high-pressure confining vessel.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a method to accelerate said movable masses to a speed to maintain an intensified magnetic field for in excess of 100 mircoseconds.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that it also comprises a method to fill the annular space between said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield and said reusable strong high-pressure confining vessel with a high-pressure liquid.

14. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a method for the removal and/or replacement of said cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield.

15. The method according to claim 14, further characterized in that it also comprises a method for the removal and/or replacement of said cylindrical crushable magnetic shield is in an axial direction relative to said cylindrical conductive magnetic shield.

16. The method according to claim 14, further characterized in that it also comprises a method for the duty cycle of said amplified magnetic field duration per repetitive cycle to exceed one part in one thousand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For further understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, where like elements are given the same reference number and wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a system for generating a high magnetic field pulse according to a particular embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the system in FIG. 1, where the conductive magnetic shield is lowered into position inside of the pressure confining vessel.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the system of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing some other aspects of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in a cross-sectional view prior to crushing of the shield.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the system of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing some other aspects of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in a cross-sectional view after crushing of the shield.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.

[0023] Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive sense.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the system herein described for generating a high magnetic field pulse according to the preferred embodiment. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specific details provided in the preferred embodiment and may also function in other embodiments. In order to create a high magnetic field pulse, first, a magnetic field is produced using any suitable technique in the region (1) where the magnetic field is trapped and will be intensified by magnetic confinement flux compression. As a non-limiting example, the magnetic field could be produced by an electromagnet. To generate the intense magnetic field, the cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2) is crushed to reduce its inner diameter. The cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2) is crushed by means of masses (3) with momentum that assists in decreasing the inner radius of the cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2). The masses (3) penetrate a strong pressure confining vessel (4) that allows the production of extremely high pressures at its interior without breaking. The annular space (5) between the strong pressure confining vessel (4) and the cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2) is filled with a high-pressure liquid that assists with crushing the cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2).

[0025] In order to repeat the cycle, the crushed conductive magnetic shield (7) from the previous magnetic pulse is then lowered out of the strong pressure confining vessel (4) by a suitable mechanism (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 2, as the crushed conductive magnetic shield (7) is lowered from the strong pressure confining vessel (4), a new cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield (2) is in place for the next magnetic field pulse. Additionally, a cylindrical crushable conductive magnetic shield for the next magnetic pulse (6) is readied.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the system in a cross-sectional view prior to the crushing of the shield. Other means produce a magnetic field (8) that is generated in the region (1). The uncompressed lines of magnetic flux (9) are shown. FIG. 4 shows the compressed lines of magnetic flux (10) after the crushing of the shield.