Apparatus and methods for controlling charged particles

Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc

Reexamination Certificate

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C219S121520, C219S123000, C376S127000, C315S111510

Reexamination Certificate

active

06593539

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present application relates to techniques involving plasma and/or charged particles, and more specifically, but not exclusively, relates to the management of particles generated by fusion devices such as those based on Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC). Alternatively or additionally, it is envisioned the teachings of the present application can be applied to other areas of technology.
Inertial electrostatic confinement involves confining a plasma with electrically biased electrodes that accelerate ions of the plasma into a hollow cathode-grid. Inertial electrostatic confinement technology can be utilized in a number of different applications including the generation of plasma jets, the provision of charged particle beams, the formation of complex carbon molecules, and the promotion of various nuclear fusion reactions, to name just a few. Among the factors that make inertial electrostatic confinement and similar fusion techniques attractive is that fusion reaction products leave the hot plasma with no or little energy loss to the plasma, resulting in a fairly monoenergetic flux of high-energy ions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,121,569 and 6,171,451 B1, and International Application No. PCT/US96/05185 (International Publication Number WO 95/30235) to Miley et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,258,402 and 3,386,883 to Farnsworth; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,448,315 and 3,530,497 to Hirsch et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,826,646 and 5,160,695 to Bussard are cited as further sources of background information concerning various fusion devices, and are all hereby incorporated by reference.
Typically, charged fusion products are born with an isotropic angular distribution and then escape with a widely spread distribution of directions. However, for a variety of applications, such as propulsion, medical treatments, industrial processes, and some types of electrical energy conversion, a more organized charged particle beam is often desired. Thus, there is a demand for ways to control and manage escaping charged particles in general. Accordingly, an ongoing need exists for advancements in this area of technology.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique technique involving charged particles. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, systems, and methods to control, manage, and/or direct charged particles generated by inertial electrostatic confinement.
A further embodiment of the present invention includes one or more inertial electrostatic confinement devices to provide charged particles and one or more energy converters to provide electric power from at least a portion of the charged particles. In one form, this embodiment utilizes an electrostatic converter that separates high-energy charged particles from low-energy charged particles. Such a converter facilitates processing of the separated, high- and low-energy components by different apparatus. This electrostatic converter can be arranged to produce electricity by collecting low-energy electrons and low-energy, positively charged ions with different collectors and another converter can be utilized to provide electricity from the high-energy particles.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, charged particles are generated with a fusion reaction device and are directed along a channel with a magnetic field. A pair of coils is operated in this magnetic field that are spaced apart from one another along the channel. These coils are operated to control strength of the magnetic field in a space between the two coils. The fusion reaction device can be based on inertial electrostatic confinement.
In still a further embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes an inertial electrostatic confinement device that comprises a container and one or more electrodes disposed within the container. A magnetic field is generated to direct charged particles emitted by this device. A pair of coils are also included in the apparatus that are positioned inside the container. The electrode(s) of the electrostatic confinement device is/are located between these coils. The coil pair is operable to control the magnetic field in the vicinity of the electrode(s). Such control can include the reduction or substantial elimination of the magnetic field in the central region of the electrode(s). The apparatus can further include a stabilizing coil positioned between the pair of coils and about the electrode(s).
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a source to provide charged particles, a winding to generate a magnetic field channel to direct the charged particles, a pair of spaced apart coils to control the magnetic field channel between these coils, and one or more charged particle collectors. The charged particle collectors are disposed adjacent the coil pair and about the magnetic field channel when generated with the winding. The one or more charged particle collectors are operable to separate low-energy charged particles from high-energy charged particles and/or convert the kinetic energy of at least a portion of the charged particles to electrical power. In one form, the lower energy electrons and lower energy, positively charged ions are collected with different collectors to provide electricity.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide one or more techniques to manage charged particles. These charged particles could be generated by fusion reactions. Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus, methods, and/or systems to control, manage, or direct charged particles generated with inertial electrostatic confinement.
Further objects, embodiments, forms, features, advantages, benefits, and aspects of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed description and drawings contained herewith.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3258402 (1966-06-01), Farnsworth
patent: 3386883 (1968-06-01), Farnsworth
patent: 3448315 (1969-06-01), Hirsch et al.
patent: 3530497 (1970-09-01), Hirsch et al.
patent: 4091336 (1978-05-01), Miley et al.
patent: 4121971 (1978-10-01), Marwick
patent: 4333796 (1982-06-01), Flynn
patent: 4826626 (1989-05-01), Whittaker
patent: 4826646 (1989-05-01), Bussard
patent: 5160695 (1992-11-01), Bussard
patent: 5160696 (1992-11-01), Bowman
patent: 5774514 (1998-06-01), Rubbia
patent: 6121569 (2000-09-01), Miley et al.
patent: 6171451 (2001-01-01), Miley et al.

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