Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion
First Claim
1. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps ofinjecting ions along a helical path within a tapered cylindrical cavity formed by first and second tapered hemi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with first and second elongate gaps formed there between, and converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a tapered cylindrical cavity formed by first and second tapered hemi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with first and second elongate gaps formed there between, and converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy.
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13. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a tapered cylindrical cavity formed by first and second tapered hemi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with first and second elongate gaps formed there between, converting substantially all of the ions axial energy to rotational energy, and converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy.
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24. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
creating first and second magnetic fields within a cavity formed in part by first and second tapered hemi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with first and second elongate gaps formed there between, wherein field lines of the first and second magnetic fields extend in opposing directions, joining the field lines of the first and second magnetic fields to form a magnetic cusp, injecting ions in the form of an annular beam along a helical path within the cavity, directing the annular beam through the magnetic cusp, and converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy.
Specification