Compound plasma configuration, and method and apparatus for generating a compound plasma configuration

• US 6,477,216 B2
• Filed: 03/25/1999
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul M. Koloc
• Original Assignee: Paul M. Koloc
• Inventors: Koloc, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RICHARDSON, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/275,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20010046273A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 315/111.21, 315/111.41, 315/111.51, 315/111.71, 376/100, 376/121, 376/123, 376/124, 376/128, 376/133, 376/142, 376/144, 376/147, 376/149
• US Class Current: 376/144
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/04 using magnetic fields substantially generated by the discharge in the plasma
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/52 using exploding wires or spark gaps H05H1/26 takes precedence; spark gaps in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/54 Plasma accelerators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/10 Nuclear fusion reactors

Abstract

A compound plasma configuration can be formed from a device having pins, and an annular electrode surrounding the pins. A cylindrical conductor is electrically connected to, and coaxial with, the annular electrode, and a helical conductor coaxial with the cylindrical conductor. The helical conductor is composed of wires, each wire electrically connected to each pin. The annular electrode and the pins are disposed in the same direction away from the interior of the conducting cylinder.

Claims

1. A method for forming a compound plasma configuration, comprising:

driving an impulse current through a helical conductor, a gas, and an annular electrode thereby forming an annular plasma between an end of said helical conductor and said annular electrode;

generating an axial magnetic field threading through said annular plasma while increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode; and

generating an azimuthal magnetic field around said axial magnetic field while further increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode, said azimuthal magnetic field differentiating said annular plasma into a plasma sheath and a central plasma channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inflating said plasma sheath and elongating said central plasma channel while further increasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

forming an helix with said central plasma channel while decreasing said impulse current driven through said helical conductor and said annular electrode after reaching a maximum for said impulse current.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising coalescing a portion of said helix thereby:

forming a plasma ring comprising a circulating current, and

forming a plasma mantle surrounding said plasma ring.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said gas comprises nitrogen.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said gas comprises a fusion fuel.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of pre-compressing said gas.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of compressing said plasma mantle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said compressing step comprises performing an adiabatic compression.