Method, apparatus, and system to reduce neutron production in small clean fusion reactors
US9767925B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2013 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is for a system and method to reduce neutron production from a deuterium-helium-3 (D-3He) fueled, steady-state, small nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor employs a field-reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic confinement scheme and an odd-parity rotating magnetic field (RMFo) that produces periodic, co-streaming, energetic ion beams which heat the plasma. This is accomplished through radio-frequency (RF) heating, which can effectively heat and maintain the plasma. Use of this method will lessen damage to and activation of reactor components and, in doing so, can advance the development of fusion reactors for electrical, power and propulsion applications by alleviating the need for both nuclear-materials and tritium-breeding-technology testing programs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.