Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion
First Claim
1. A plasma-electric power generation system comprisinga chamber having a central region and first and second end regions along a principal axis,a means for creating a first magnetic field within a central region of the chamber with field lines extending in a first direction along the principal axis,a means for generating a poloidal field within the central region of the chamber, wherein a combined field of the first and poloidal fields has a reversed field topology,a means for injecting plasma into the central region of the chamber,a means for forming a multipole electric field having three or more poles disposed within a first end region of the chamber, anda means for forming a second magnetic field in the first end of the chamber having field lines extending in a second direction along the principal axis opposite to the first magnetic field line direction, wherein the field lines of the first and second magnetic fields join to form a magnetic cusp.
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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
23 Claims
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1. A plasma-electric power generation system comprising
a chamber having a central region and first and second end regions along a principal axis, a means for creating a first magnetic field within a central region of the chamber with field lines extending in a first direction along the principal axis, a means for generating a poloidal field within the central region of the chamber, wherein a combined field of the first and poloidal fields has a reversed field topology, a means for injecting plasma into the central region of the chamber, a means for forming a multipole electric field having three or more poles disposed within a first end region of the chamber, and a means for forming a second magnetic field in the first end of the chamber having field lines extending in a second direction along the principal axis opposite to the first magnetic field line direction, wherein the field lines of the first and second magnetic fields join to form a magnetic cusp.
Specification