Method for producing uniform spherical shells
US4322378A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1980 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S376/916
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to a method for producing relatively uniform hollow spheres of a substance, the hollow spheres being formed with a gas therein as a result of the production process. The spheres, formed for example of hydrogen isotopes, are particularly useful as a fuel target for laser fusion applications. In accordance with the method of the invention, a jet of the substance of which the spheres are to be formed is provided in liquid form. Relatively uniform gas bubbles are injected into the liquid jet. In this manner, the bubbles break up or separate the liquid jet into relatively uniform hollow spheres of the substance, each with a bubble of the gas inside. The hollow spheres can be visualized as liquid droplets, each having a relatively uniform gas bubble therein. In accordance with a feature of the invention, a periodic mechanical disturbance, such as is obtained by exciting an ultrasonic transducer, is introduced to a gas stream, and tends to cause the gas stream to form relatively uniform bubbles within the liquid droplets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.