Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion

• US 7,232,985 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Rostoker, Norman, Monkhorst, Hendrik J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US11/130,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 250/239, 250/222.2, 250/214.VT, 250/207, 250/214.R, 250/283, 250/284, 250/292, 250/293, 315/111.41, 376/107, 376/127
• US Class Current: 250/214.0VT
• CPC Class Codes: G21B 1/00 Thermonuclear fusion reactors
• CPC Class Codes: G21B 1/052 reversed field configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G21B 1/11 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 7/00 Arrangements for direct production of electric energy from fusion or fission reactions obtaining electric energy from radioactive sources G21H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/12 wherein the containment vessel forms a closed or nearly closed loop G21B1/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 1/14 wherein the containment vessel is straight and has magnetic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/00 Energy generation of nuclear origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/10 Nuclear fusion reactors

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.

Claims

1. A direct energy converter comprising

an elongate enclosure having a principal axis,

a means for forming an elongate multipole electric field having three or more poles disposed axially within the enclosure, wherein the means for forming the electric field comprises a plurality of electrodes axially extending within the enclosure, and

a means coupled to the enclosure for forming a magnetic cusp with magnetic field lines extending away from the principal axis toward the exterior of the enclosure in a magnetic cusp region.

2. The converter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes is symmetrical.

3. The converter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes is arranged in a cylindrical formation.

4. The converter of claim 1 wherein the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are in spaced relation with one another forming an axially extending gap between adjacent electrodes.

5. The converter of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrodes includes at least 4 electrodes.

6. The converter of claim 1 wherein the means for forming a magnetic cusp comprises first and second sets of field coils disposed about the enclosure.

7. The converter of claim 6 wherein the first and second magnetic fields generated by the first and second sets of field coils have oppositely running flux along axially extending field lines beyond the magnetic cusp region, and wherein the field lines extend away from the principal axis toward the exterior of the enclosure in the magnetic cusp region.

8. The converter of claim 7 further comprising an electron collector disposed about the enclosure in the magnetic cusp region adjacent a first end of the means for forming the multipole electric field.

9. The converter of claim 8 wherein the electron collector is annularly shaped.

10. The converter of claim 8 further comprising a ion collector disposed adjacent a second end of the means for forming the multi-pole electric field.

11. The converter of claim 10 wherein the ion collector is disposed within the enclosure.

12. The converter of claim 10 wherein the electron collector and ion collector are electrically coupled.

13. A direct energy converter comprising

an elongate enclosure having a principal axis,

a means for an elongate multipole electric field having three or more poles disposed axially within the enclosure, and

a means coupled to the enclosure for forming a magnetic cusp with magnetic field lines extending away from the principal axis toward the exterior of the enclosure in a magnetic cusp region.

14. The converter of claim 13 wherein the means for forming a magnetic cusp comprises first and second sets of field coils disposed about the enclosure.

15. The converter of claim 14 wherein the first and second magnetic fields generated by the first and second sets of field coils have oppositely running flux along axially extending field lines beyond the magnetic cusp region, and wherein the field lines extend away from the principal axis toward the exterior of the enclosure in the magnetic cusp region.

16. The converter of claim 15 further comprising an electron collector disposed about the enclosure in the magnetic cusp region adjacent a first end of the means for forming the multipole electric field.

17. The converter of claim 16 wherein the electron collector is annularly shaped.

18. The converter of claim 16 further comprising a ion collector disposed adjacent a second end of the means for forming the multi-pole electric field.

19. The converter of claim 18 wherein the ion collector is disposed within the enclosure.

20. The converter of claim 18 wherein the electron collector and ion collector are electrically coupled.