Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion
First Claim
1. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric energy, comprising the steps ofinjecting ions along a helical path within a generally cylindrical cavity formed of a plurality of semi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with one another forming a plurality of elongate gaps there between, wherein the ions are injected in the form an annular beam,converting substantially all of the injected ions'"'"' axial energy to rotational energy,forming a multi-pole electric field within the cavity, the electric field comprising three or more poles,converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, andcollecting charge neutralizing electrons from the annular beam as the electrons follow magnetic field lines of a magnetic cusp.
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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.
111 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric energy, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a generally cylindrical cavity formed of a plurality of semi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with one another forming a plurality of elongate gaps there between, wherein the ions are injected in the form an annular beam, converting substantially all of the injected ions'"'"' axial energy to rotational energy, forming a multi-pole electric field within the cavity, the electric field comprising three or more poles, converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, and collecting charge neutralizing electrons from the annular beam as the electrons follow magnetic field lines of a magnetic cusp.
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10. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric energy, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a generally cylindrical cavity formed of a plurality of semi-cylindrical electrodes in spaced relation with one another forming a plurality of elongate gaps there between, converting substantially all of the injected ions'"'"' axial energy to rotational energy, forming a multi-pole electric field within the cavity, the electric field comprising three or more poles, converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, and creating a magnetic cusp, wherein the step of creating the magnetic cusp comprises the steps of creating first and second magnetic fields within the cavity, wherein field lines of the first and second magnetic fields extend in opposing directions, and joining the first and second magnetic fields.
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11. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a cylindrical cavity formed by three or more elongate electrodes in spaced relation with an elongate gap formed between adjacent electrodes of the three or more electrodes, wherein the ions are injected in the form an annular beam, converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, and collecting charge neutralizing electrons from the annular beam as the electrons follow magnetic field lines of a magnetic cusp.
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19. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
injecting ions along a helical path within a cylindrical cavity formed by three or more elongate electrodes in spaced relation with an elongate gap formed between adjacent electrodes of the three or more electrodes, converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, and creating a magnetic cusp, wherein the step of creating the magnetic cusp comprises the steps of creating first and second magnetic fields within the cavity, wherein field lines of the first and second magnetic fields extend in opposing directions, and joining the first and second magnetic fields.
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24. A method of converting fusion product energies into electric power, comprising the steps of
creating a multi-pole elongate electric field comprising three or more poles, creating first and second magnetic fields within the cavity, wherein unidirectional 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 through the electric field, converting at least a portion of the ion energy into electrical energy, and collecting charge neutralizing electrons from the annular beam as the electrons follow magnetic field lines of the magnetic cusp.
Specification