Process for the fabrication of thermonuclear fuel pellets and the product thereof
US4432933A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1976 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S376/916
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In processes utilizing a source of laser energy for achieving a thermonuclear fusion reaction, it is necessary to have fusion fuel prepared in a configuration with minute dimensions and the present invention contemplates preparing this fuel by introducing into hollow microspheres (typically comprised of glass) of predetermined size, in the range of 250 to 2,000 micrometers, a gaseous thermonuclear fuel. One way of accomplishing this is to cause diffusion of gaseous thermonuclear fuel through the walls of the microsphere under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure so that it may be achieved in a reasonable time, after which the fuel can be frozen out on the walls of the microsphere to provide a fusion fuel in a hollow spherical shape. Suitable coatings of additional materials may be applied to the fueled microsphere by appropriate coating methods to complete complex thermonuclear fuel pellet configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.