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WO2012003524A1 - Réacteur destiné à produire une fusion nucléaire contrôlée - Google Patents

Réacteur destiné à produire une fusion nucléaire contrôlée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012003524A1
WO2012003524A1 PCT/AU2011/000604 AU2011000604W WO2012003524A1 WO 2012003524 A1 WO2012003524 A1 WO 2012003524A1 AU 2011000604 W AU2011000604 W AU 2011000604W WO 2012003524 A1 WO2012003524 A1 WO 2012003524A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cathode
fusion
anode
fuel
reaction chamber
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PCT/AU2011/000604
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English (en)
Inventor
Steven Arnold Sesselmann
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2010902982A external-priority patent/AU2010902982A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO2012003524A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012003524A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/02—Arrangements for confining plasma by electric or magnetic fields; Arrangements for heating plasma
    • H05H1/03—Arrangements for confining plasma by electric or magnetic fields; Arrangements for heating plasma using electrostatic fields
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/40—Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
    • B64G1/408—Nuclear spacecraft propulsion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64G—COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64G1/00—Cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/22—Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles
    • B64G1/42—Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
    • B64G1/421—Non-solar power generation
    • B64G1/422—Nuclear power generation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21B—FUSION REACTORS
    • G21B1/00—Thermonuclear fusion reactors
    • G21B1/05—Thermonuclear fusion reactors with magnetic or electric plasma confinement
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/10—Nuclear fusion reactors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to nuclear fusion and in particular to mechanical electrostatic confinement fusion.
  • the invention provides an experimental model for the behavior of fusion reactions arising from electrostatic confinement under the conditions where space-charge effects begin to dominate. Fusion reactions from electrostatic confinement devices are well known and such devices are utilized as neutron sources for use in, for example, geological exploration and medical isotope manufacture.
  • the present invention provides an alternative means to accomplish the same utilities as existing configurations of electrostatic confinement fusion neutron sources, but also provides the experimental means to directly manipulate the space-charge within the reaction volume so as to tune for efficiency, which is not currently possible with existing configurations.
  • Electrostatic confinement is an alternative to thermonuclear plasmas.
  • an apparatus for producing nuclear fusion comprising:
  • a capacitor assembly comprising an anode element and a respective cathode element, the cathode element defining a cavity reaction chamber, the anode element substantially surrounding the cathode element, thereby defining an internal cavity there between;
  • an electrical source for providing a direct current voltage potential between the anode element and the cathode element, wherein the cathode element has a negative electric potential with respect to the anode element;
  • a fuel assembly operatively associated with the cathode element for providing controlled flow of fusion reactive fuel into the reaction chamber, wherein the fuel system includes a fuel receptacle electrically coupled to the cathode thereby acquiring the negative electrical potential of the cathode;
  • the fuel receptacle is maintained at cathode potential, and located within the internal cavity.
  • the apparatus further comprises: a mass flow controller in fluid communication with a fuel system for enabling a controlled flow of fusion reactive fuel into the cathode reaction chamber.
  • the apparatus further comprises: an accelerator exhaust tube; wherein the cathode reaction chamber includes an reaction chamber exhaust aperture and the anode includes an anode exhaust aperture; and wherein an accelerator exhaust tube is operatively coupled between the reaction chamber exhaust aperture and the anode exhaust aperture for providing a hermetic fluid communication between an interior of the cathode element and an exterior of the anode element.
  • the accelerator. exhaust tube by providing a hermetic fluid communication between an interior of the cathode element and an exterior of the anode, defines a substantially closed internal cavity there between.
  • the accelerator exhaust tube comprises a plurality of dielectric rings and conducting rings, that together form a hermetic cylinder; the conducting rings being connected by a series of resistors; wherein, when a potential voltage is applied across the first and the last conducting ring, the accelerator exhaust tube comprises a voltage gradient between the first and the last conducting ring.
  • the accelerator exhaust tube is a substantially dielectric tube with suitable hermetic seals.
  • the cathode defines a substantially closed shell.
  • an internal closed cavity is defined between the cathode and anode.
  • the anode element is resistively electrically coupled to the cathode element. More preferably, the anode element is resistively electrically coupled to the cathode element by a variable resistor element. Most preferably, the internal cavity between the anode element and the cathode element contains a dielectric substance, thereby providing electrical isolation between the anode and the cathode.
  • the fusion fuel is one or more fusion reactive gases selected from the set comprising: Hydrogen; Deuterium; Tritium; Helium3; Boronl 1 ; and Lithium. More preferably, the fusion fuel is pure Deuterium gas.
  • the electrical means includes an electrical circuit and one or more electrical insulation elements integrated to the anode element for enabling a high voltage direct current potential to be applied through the anode element to the cathode element.
  • the dielectric medium is a liquid dielectric material. More preferably, the cathode element is insulated from the anode element by way of any one or more dielectric medium selected from the set : vacuum, air, PTFE,
  • polypropylene transformer oil, rubber, wood, silicones, bakelite, quartz, glass, castor oil, mica, porcelain, alumina, distilled water, barium-titanite, strontium- titanite.
  • the dielectric medium in use, occupies the cavity between the anode and the cathode, moderates neutrons .
  • the apparatus further comprises: a vacuum system adapted to evacuate the accelerator exhaust tube and cathode reaction chamber to a sufficiently low pressure, thereby to provide ions of fusion reactive fuel a sufficiently long mean free path for reaching fusion energies within the length of the accelerator tube.
  • a vacuum system adapted to evacuate the accelerator exhaust tube and cathode reaction chamber to a sufficiently low pressure, thereby to provide ions of fusion reactive fuel a sufficiently long mean free path for reaching fusion energies within the length of the accelerator tube.
  • the apparatus further comprises: an external high voltage power supply, connected by electrical means to the anode and cathode respectively for creating a high voltage potential between the anode and the cathode to allow ions of fusion reactive fuel within the accelerator exhaust tube to reach fusion capable energy.
  • an external high voltage power supply connected by electrical means to the anode and cathode respectively for creating a high voltage potential between the anode and the cathode to allow ions of fusion reactive fuel within the accelerator exhaust tube to reach fusion capable energy.
  • the apparatus in use, produces heat.
  • the dielectric medium, in use is circulated through a heat exchange system, in order to extract useful energy.
  • the apparatus in use, produces neutrons.
  • the apparatus in use, produces an electric current.
  • the apparatus in use, produces thrust.
  • the apparatus in use, enables transmutation of elements by neutron capture.
  • a method of producing nuclear fusion comprising the steps of:
  • one or more ionised particles have sufficient energy to collide and undergo a process of nuclear fusion, whereby the process of nuclear fusion releases energy in the form of a fast moving atomic particles.
  • charged particles produced by nuclear fusion contribute to further ionisation of the fusion reactive fuel.
  • some positively charged fast fusion products have sufficient energy and suitable direction to escape confinement of the cathode, thereby carrying positive charges to ground.
  • thermal energy generated from the process of nuclear fusion is converted into a suitable energy source using known methods.
  • electric current is generated by this process of fusion induced charge separation.
  • neutrons are produced.
  • fast particles produced in the fusion reactions provide forward thrust.
  • fast positively charged particles produced in the fusion reactions are directed through a solenoid for the purpose of generating an electric current.
  • nuclear fusion can be used to provide heat, electricity, directional thrust, and/or producing neutrons.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fusion reactor embodiment, shown adapted for use with a vacuum system in atmospheric conditions;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic view of the fusion reactor of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the accelerator exhaust tube of the fusion reactor of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment fusion reactor according to the invention, shown adapted for use as a thruster in outer-space;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional schematic view of the fusion reactor of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of providing controlled nuclear fusion according to the invention/ PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
  • a method and apparatus for producing steady state nuclear fusion. It will be appreciated that released nuclear fusion energy can be converted into electrical energy, thrust and/or heat.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a nuclear fusion reactor 1 00 for producing electricity and heat from nuclear fusion.
  • the nuclear fusion reactor includes a capacitor 21 0 having an anode element 220 and a respective cathode element 230.
  • the cathode element 230 being a hollow substantially spherical shell cathode 232 with one or more apertures (234, 235).
  • the cathode element has an inner lining 236 comprising suitable heat resistant material with matching apertures.
  • the cathode element is further operatively associated with a fuel receptacle 240, a connecting tube 242 and a fuel pressure regulator 244.
  • a dielectric control rod 246 can be rotated by a handle 248 to control the fuel pressure
  • the hollow substantially spherical shell cathode 232 defines a nuclear reaction chamber 238.
  • aperture 234 defines the fuel inlet and aperture 235 defines an cathode exhaust outlet.
  • the nuclear fusion reactor 1 00 includes an accelerator exhaust tube 250 constructed as a layered stack of dielectric elements 252 separated by metal plates 254, wherein metal plates are inter connected via a high value resistors 256, thereby forming a multi stage voltage divider between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230 (as best shown in FIG. 3).
  • a nuclear fusion reactor can include a simpler accelerator exhaust tube constructed of a solid dielectric.
  • the accelerator exhaust tube 250 terminates in a suitable flange 258 for enabling a hermetic connection to a high vacuum system and thereby defining an internal cavity 222 between the interior of the anode element 220 and the exterior of the cathode element 230.
  • the fuel receptacle 240 is located in the internal cavity 222.
  • a dielectric medium 260 is provided to substantially fill the otherwise vacant or unoccupied internal cavity 222.
  • a high vacuum pump 270 is coupled to the accelerator exhaust tube flange to maintain a low pressure environment within the cathode.
  • a valve 272 can be provided for adjusting the vacuum pressure within the cathode.
  • a DC electrical supply 280 is provided to supply a direct current (DC) voltage potential between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230.
  • the cathode element 230, fuel receptacle 240, connecting tube 242 and fuel pressure regulator 244 are electrically coupled such that each have the substantially the same negative DC voltage potential with respect to the anode element.
  • a variable resistor 282 and optionally a high voltage capacitor 284 can be connected in parallel between the anode and the cathode, for the purpose of regulating and stabilizing the electrical potential between the anode 220 and the cathode 230.
  • the apparatus comprises a hollow cathode 230 with one or more accelerator exhaust tubes 250 extending from an internal cathode 230 to the anode 220.
  • An external high voltage DC power supply 280 is connected to the anode and cathode, with the fusion receptacle fuel being maintained at cathode potential.
  • a controlled amount of fusion fuel flows from the fuel receptacle 240 into the cathode reaction chamber 238, where the molecules of the fusion fuel become ionised and thereby confined by the electrostatic field.
  • the apparatus may run in a self sustained mode, and produce excess heat, thrust, electrical power and neutrons for science and industry and space exploration.
  • the dielectric medium can be circulated through a heat exchange system (not shown) to extract heat produced.
  • nuclear fusion fuel is selected from any one or more of the set comprising Hydrogen; Deuterium; Tritium; Helium 3; and Boron 1 1 ; Lithium.
  • deuterium (D) as a nuclear fusion fuel, the resultant D+D fusion reactions releases neutrons that are moderated to thermal velocities in the dielectric substance 260 that occupies the internal cavity 222, thereby enabling the neutrons to permeate the fuel receptacle.
  • deuterium atoms can capture some thermal neutrons and transmute to the isotope tritium.
  • the fuel receptacle can be enclosed in beryllium foil, thereby increasing the neutron flux and transmutation rate.
  • the method and apparatus can utilize the neutron flux from the reactor to enable transmutation of deuterium (D) into tritium (T). It will be appreciated that a resultant D+T reaction yields greater energy than a D+D reaction, and is therefore beneficial to the objective.
  • the exhaust outlet associated with aperture 235 requires the exhaust outlet associated with aperture 235 to be hermetically connected to a high vacuum system.
  • the vacuum pressure in the cathode chamber 238 and accelerator exhaust tube 250 is typically reduced to between 1 to! 0 millitorr.
  • the fuel receptacle 240 is typically filled with pure deuterium gas haying a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure, and is sealed and located within the anode element 220.
  • the anode element 220 also defines a sealed vacant internal cavity 222 that is filled with a dielectric medium 260.
  • the dielectric medium is typically transformer oil, but may be any medium with a dielectric constant higher than 1 , where one is the permittivity of empty space.
  • the anode element 220 is connected to ground potential, by electrical means.
  • the optional variable resistor 282 is installed to give the operator control of the apparatus, for restricting a potential uncontrolled runaway reaction.
  • variable resistor 282 can be set to' the lowest resistance, and the fuel pressure regulator 244 may be adjusted to a low flow setting, typically lower than 1 seem, and the vacuum system valve 272 partially closed, to allow a pressure build up of fusion reactive fuel in the cathode reaction chamber and accelerator exhaust tube.
  • a high voltage power supply is coupled by electrical means, with its positive terminal to ground, and the negative terminal to the cathode connection 286. Using the said external power supply to increase the potential of the cathode 230 to between neg. 40 to neg.
  • the fusion reaction may become self-sustaining, and the High Voltage power supply can be disconnected.
  • the fusion reaction rate may now be controlled by, by adjusting the variable resistor 282.
  • variable resistor 282 there are three variable adjustments that can effect the ' steady state operation of the reactor, these being:
  • fusion reactions in the cathode chamber 222 can maintain the heat in the cathode, thereby triggering more reactions, which in turn are responsible for further charge separation.
  • the charge separation occurs because fast fusion products with positive charges (for example a proton and 3He nucleus), are ejected through the aperture in the cathode, with such velocity, that they travel up through the accelerator exhaust tube, and deposit their charges to ground. This causes a charge difference between the cathode and ground, it will be further appreciated that the charge difference can now be exploited by creating a closed electrical circuit - thereby generating electrical power.
  • These fast neutrons easily permeate the cathode walls, and deposit their kinetic energy in the dielectric moderating substance contained in the anode/cathode inter cavity. Once the neutrons have lost their kinetic energy, they are referred to as thermal, and due to the positioning of the fuel receptacle 240 within the anode 220, the neutrons can also permeate the fuel.
  • the reactor fuel is initially and substantially pure deuterium gas under pressure.
  • the neutron capture cross section of deuterium is relatively high and an amount of deuterium can capture a neutron and transmute to tritium.
  • the neutron flux around the fuel receptacle can be increased by enclosing the fuel receptacle in beryllium. This would be considered a benefit, as the D+T reaction and the T+T reaction yields significantly more energy, as can be seen from the listed reactions outlined below.
  • the stored fuel may become enriched over extended periods of operation.
  • Fusion reactors can confine ions, using one or more of the following techniques: mechanical confinement; and
  • the "Lawson criterion" temperature aspect can be substantially met by physically confining the fusion reactions inside a hollow spherical cathode, thereby focusing a significant proportion of the fusion energy back into the plasma. It will be appreciated that the properties of the improved nuclear fusion reactor include:
  • fusion energy can be converted directly into electrical energy, through fusion induced charge separation.
  • fast protons and alpha particles pass through the exhaust aperture, and become separated from their respective electrons.
  • This fusion induced charge separation can be incorporated in an electrical circuit and consequently used as an electrical energy source.
  • fusion energy is converted into heat, through the process of moderating and converting the kinetic energy of fast fusion products, into heat,- and then converting the heat into useful energy by known methods.
  • fusion energy can be converted directly into forward thrust by passing the fast moving fusion products through a unidirectional exhaust tube or nozzle, and into space. Thereby utilizing the resulting force imbalance, to generate forward thrust.
  • the illustrated apparatus and method initiates a controlled nuclear fusion reaction. It will be further appreciated that the apparatus enables suitable confinement of fusion fuel ions.
  • the apparatus described herein is a nuclear fusion reactor, and any attempts to build or operate this apparatus should only be made by a person or persons skilled in the art, and in particular such person should understand the dangers and health effects of radiation, as well as the dangers of electrocution, as well as the dangers of explosion, from combustible gas kept under pressure.
  • This apparatus emits alpha, beta and gamma and X-ray radiation and must be operated in a shielded environment. In the case of a runaway reaction, grounding of the cathode can immediately shut down this reactor.
  • a method 600 of producing controlled nuclear fusion can comprise the steps of:
  • STEP 610 providing an apparatus as herein described
  • STEP 620 providing an amount of pressurised reactor fuel gas, such as substantially pure deuterium gas pressurized in the fuel receptacle;
  • STEP 640 if operating the reactor in atmospheric environment, evacuating the accelerator exhaust tube and hollow cathode chamber to a high vacuum;
  • STEP 650 directing particles of fusion reactive fuel through the fuel
  • the gaseous fuel will, due to an electrostatic field gradient becomes ionised and propagates to a central region of the electrostatic field, which in this case is the cathode reaction chamber;
  • STEP 680 energetic particles, such as gamma rays and x-rays released by the fusion reactions inside the cathode, reflect off the interior reaction chamber walls and cause further ionisation of the gas within the cathode, which in turn reinforces the fusion cycle;
  • the interior surface of the cathode element absorbs negative charge in an attempt to reach charge equilibrium with the plasma, thereby rendering the plasma positively charged, this is sometimes referred to as the Hollow Cathode Effect.
  • the positive charge potential inside the cathode increases rapidly, as more fuel is admitted. Due to the electrostatic field gradient being in the order of 1 00 Kv, the positive charges are unable to escape, confinement, unless two nuclei undergo fusion, and create new particles with energy of around 1 Mev., more than enough to escape confinement. Inevitably the confined ions of fusion reactive fuel, will attempt this only available route to escape, and fusion will therefore take place. Those fusion products, with a spatial direction towards the exhaust aperture of the cathode, are able to escape. Charged fusion products travelling in other directions, inevitably collide with the walls of the cathode chamber, thereby reflecting some of their energy back into the plasma, further promoting the reaction cycle.
  • Positive particles escaping the cathode chamber carry their charges to ground, thereby reinforcing the electrical potential difference between the anode and the cathode.
  • positive charges may flow from cathode to anode, thereby reducing the need for external power input, and in the extreme case providing a useful flow of electric current.
  • the fusion reaction rate may be controlled by adjusting the space charge within the reaction volume by regulating the voltage potential between the anode element and the cathode element, by using a variable resistor electrically connected there between.
  • the fusion reaction rate may be controlled by adjusting the flow rate of fusion reactive fuel entering the cathode.
  • the fusion reaction rate may be controlled by adjusting the vacuum pressure applied to the interior cavity of the cathode.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment 1 00, by way of example only, of an experimental apparatus for producing electricity and heat from nuclear fusion.
  • the apparatus can comprise a capacitor assembly 21 0 having an anode element 220 and a respective cathode element 230.
  • the cathode element being substantially a spherical hollow cathode element having one or more apertures (2-34, 235).
  • the cathode element being operatively associated with a plurality of components including a fuel receptacle 240, a connecting fuel conduit 242, a fuel pressure regulator 244.
  • a cathode element can include a lining of heat resistant material 236 with matching apertures.
  • the anode element 220 defines a substantially closed shell, sized to surround the cathode element 230.
  • the cathode element is a substantially closed hollow spherical shell, being a smaller diameter than the anode element.
  • the cathode element is located within the anode element thereby defining an internal cavity 222 between the anode and the cathode assembly.
  • a dielectric medium 260 can be used to occupy the internal cavity.
  • the cathode element defines at least one small aperture in fluid communication with the fuel conduit, thereby enabling fuel to enter the hollow cathode chamber 238.
  • the cathode element further defines a larger exhaust aperture 235, for an ion beam produced by the fusion reaction to exit.
  • the fuel receptacle 240 is in fluid communication with the cathode
  • This mass flow controller can be a fixed flow controller or a variable flow controller.
  • the mass flow controller may be adjusted by a dielectric rod and a rotatable handle 246.
  • the mass flow controller can be adjusted from outside the anode element, by way of a dielectric connection.
  • An electrical supply element 280 can provide a direct current voltage potential between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230.
  • the cathode assembly - comprising the cathode element 230, the fuel receptacle 240, the connecting conduit 242 and the fuel pressure regulator 244 - has a negative potential with respect to the anode element.
  • the cathode assembly is located within the anode.
  • the electrical supply element can be connected to a terminal external 286 to the anode element 220 for applying a negative DC voltage potential to the cathode element 230.
  • the anode element is typically connected to a ground potential.
  • a switch 288 is included to disconnect the DC electrical supply once the reactor starts up.
  • a high vacuum pump can be coupled to the accelerator exhaust tube flange 258.
  • a valve 272 can be used to adjust the vacuum pressure in the cathode.
  • a high impedance variable resistor 282 can be connected between the anode element and the cathode element for regulating the potential voltage difference there between
  • a high voltage capacitor 284 may be connected between the anode and the cathode in parallel with the variable resistor, to stabilise the electrostatic field potential.
  • an accelerator exhaust tube 250 is constructed from a layered stack of dielectric elements 252 divided by metal plates 254. Each metal plate is interconnected within a series of high value resistors 256, thereby forming a multi stage voltage divider between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230.
  • a simpler accelerator exhaust tube can be constructed from a solid dielectric material.
  • the accelerator exhaust tube 250 further forms a hermetic connection between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230, thereby defining a closed internal cavity 222 there between.
  • the accelerator exhaust tube terminates in a suitable flange 258 for enabling a hermetic connection to a high vacuum system.
  • the high vacuum system 270 has a valve 272 for controlling the vacuum pressure within the accelerator exhaust tube and the cathode chamber.
  • a dielectric medium 260 can be used to occupies the closed internal
  • the reactor fuel is deuterium gas (D).
  • D deuterium gas
  • Neutrons from the D+D fusion reactions are moderated to thermal velocities in the dielectric substance that occupies the internal cavity.
  • Neutrons having thermal velocities may permeate the fuel receptacle, whereby enabling deuterium atoms to capture some thermal neutrons and transmute to the isotope tritium.
  • the fuel receptacle can be enclosed in beryllium foil for increasing the neutron flux and transmutation rate. Thermalisation of neutrons in the dielectric substance may also produce heat.
  • a number of fast fusion products having a positive charge may be ejected in the direction of the cathode exhaust aperture 235 defined by the hollow cathode element 230. These fusion products may traverse the accelerator exhaust tube 250 and carry their positive charges to ground, thereby increasing the potential voltage difference between the anode and the cathode.
  • FIG. 4 and FIG 5 show, by way of example only, an embodiment thrust engine apparatus for providing trust from nuclear fusion.
  • the apparatus can comprise a capacitor assembly 21 0 having an anode element 220 and a respective cathode element 230.
  • the cathode element being substantially a spherical hollow cathode element having one or more apertures (234, 235).
  • the cathode element being operatively associated with a plurality of components including a fuel receptacle 240, a connecting conduit 242, a fuel pressure regulator 244.
  • a cathode element can include a lining of heat resistant material 236 with matching apertures.
  • the anode element 220 defines a substantially closed shell, sized to surround the cathode assembly.
  • the cathode element 230 is a substantially closed hollow spherical shell, being a smaller diameter than the anode element.
  • the cathode element is located within the anode element thereby defining an internal cavity 222 between the anode element and the cathode assembly.
  • the cathode element 230 defines at least one small aperture 234 in fluid communication with the fuel conduit, thereby enabling fuel to enter the hollow cathode chamber 238.
  • the cathode element 230 further defines a larger exhaust aperture 235, for an ion beam produced by the fusion reaction to exit.
  • An accelerator exhaust tube 250 as described above, is included to provide a closed internal cavity 222.
  • a dielectric medium 260 can be used to occupy the closed internal cavity.
  • the thrust engine apparatus 400 includes an electrical supply element 280 which is configured as described above.
  • a high impedance resistor 282 and/or capacitor 284 can be connected between the anode element 220 and the cathode element 230 for regulating the potential voltage difference there between - as described above.
  • the fuel receptacle 240 is in fluid
  • the anode element 220 can extend partially over the accelerator exhaust tube 250, thereby partially closing the port, but leaving a reduced aperture for the ion beam to exit.
  • the size of the exhaust aperture can be adjustable. It will be appreciated that, as this apparatus is designed to be used in outer- space, no vacuum system is required.
  • fast fusion products are ejected in the direction of the cathode exhaust aperture 235 and traverse the accelerator exhaust tube 250, thereby enabling fast neutral and charged particles, to exit into outer-space. This increases the relative negative potential of the cathode.
  • One or more ion neutralizing antennae 41 0 are electrically coupled to the cathode. These neutralizing antennae are configured to face rearwards for at least partially neutralizing fusion products in the positive ion exhaust. '
  • one or more cathode ray guns can be used to expel electrons into the exhaust ions for at least partially neutralizing fusion products.
  • the cathode voltage potential can provide a source of negative charge, for the purpose of neutralizing fusion products in the positive ion exhaust.
  • the ion beam exhaust comprising fast fusion products, can create forward thrust.
  • a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.
  • Coupled should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only.
  • the terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.
  • the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means.
  • Coupled may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.
  • outwardly generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.
  • an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein.
  • an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein.
  • the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil de confinement électrostatique destiné à produire une fusion nucléaire comprenant un ensemble condensateur, ayant un élément de cathode creuse (230) définissant une chambre de réaction (238), et un élément d'anode (220) entourant sensiblement l'élément de cathode (230). Une source électrique (280) fournit un potentiel de courant direct entre l'élément d'anode (220) et l'élément de cathode (230). Un ensemble d'alimentation en combustible (240, 242, 244, 246) comporte un réceptacle de combustible (24) qui est couplé électriquement à l'élément de cathode (230) de telle sorte que, lors de l'utilisation, le combustible réactif en fusion s'écoule dans la chambre de réaction (238) avec le même potentiel électrique que l'élément de cathode (230). Un milieu ayant une constante diélectrique élevée occupe la cavité (260) entre les éléments d'anode et de cathode (220, 230). Un tube d'évacuation d'accélérateur (250) peut faire partie d'un moteur de poussée.
PCT/AU2011/000604 2010-07-06 2011-05-20 Réacteur destiné à produire une fusion nucléaire contrôlée Ceased WO2012003524A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2010902982 2010-07-06
AU2010902982A AU2010902982A0 (en) 2010-07-06 Improved Reactor for Producing Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012003524A1 true WO2012003524A1 (fr) 2012-01-12

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CN104715141A (zh) * 2015-02-05 2015-06-17 中国核电工程有限公司 一种压水堆核电厂氚排放源项计算方法
RU2566620C2 (ru) * 2013-12-24 2015-10-27 Сергей Николаевич Зубов Способ и топливо для компаунд-синтеза, воздушно-реактивный двигатель на компаунд-синтезе и турбоэлектромашинный агрегат для него (варианты)
EP3226528A1 (fr) 2016-03-31 2017-10-04 Sigos NV Procédé et système de détection de dérivation d'interconnexion utilisant des appels de test à des abonnés réels
CN111243765A (zh) * 2019-03-04 2020-06-05 中国原子能科学研究院 一种内离子源惯性静电约束聚变装置
CN111312419A (zh) * 2020-03-27 2020-06-19 江苏核电有限公司 一种压水堆首炉堆芯无外加一次中子源的堆芯装料方法
CN119103392A (zh) * 2024-11-08 2024-12-10 陕西星环聚能科技有限公司 一种用于可控核聚变装置的压电阀和可控核聚变装置

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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2566620C2 (ru) * 2013-12-24 2015-10-27 Сергей Николаевич Зубов Способ и топливо для компаунд-синтеза, воздушно-реактивный двигатель на компаунд-синтезе и турбоэлектромашинный агрегат для него (варианты)
CN104715141A (zh) * 2015-02-05 2015-06-17 中国核电工程有限公司 一种压水堆核电厂氚排放源项计算方法
EP3226528A1 (fr) 2016-03-31 2017-10-04 Sigos NV Procédé et système de détection de dérivation d'interconnexion utilisant des appels de test à des abonnés réels
CN111243765A (zh) * 2019-03-04 2020-06-05 中国原子能科学研究院 一种内离子源惯性静电约束聚变装置
CN111312419A (zh) * 2020-03-27 2020-06-19 江苏核电有限公司 一种压水堆首炉堆芯无外加一次中子源的堆芯装料方法
CN119103392A (zh) * 2024-11-08 2024-12-10 陕西星环聚能科技有限公司 一种用于可控核聚变装置的压电阀和可控核聚变装置

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