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http://pesn.com/2006/03/18/9600249_Lawrenceville_Plasma_Physics_Patent/
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Lawrenceville Plasma Physics Submits Patent Application
The patent covers the use of high magnetic fields in the production of
fusion energy, the injection of angular momentum into the plasma sheath, and a
new method of converting X-ray energy into electricity; as well as how to
combine these into a functional fusion energy reactor.
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Typical plasma focus device
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Lawrenceville Plasma Physics submitted a patent application to the US Patent
Office on February 28, 2006. Entitled Method and Apparatus for Producing
X-rays, Ion Beams and Nuclear Fusion Energy, the patent covers the use of
high magnetic fields (the magnetic field effect) in the production of fusion
energy, the injection of angular momentum into the plasma sheath, and a new
method of converting X-ray energy into electricity. It also describes how to
combine these innovations into a functional fusion energy reactor.
The magnetic field effect is critical for Focus Fusion. By suppressing the
transfer of energy from the ions to the electrons, the amount of energy lost
from the plasma due to xray emissions will be reduced. Directing more energy
into the plasmoid results in a higher output of fusion energy. The effect only
operates at extremely high fields, billions of times that of the Earths
magnetic field. Based on work by Lerner, the patent describes how this strong
magnetic field can be achieved by using small-diameter electrodes that intensify
the initial magnetic field in the device.
The injection of angular momentum is important in the process of plasmoid
formation. In a conventional plasma focus, a tiny amount of angular momentum
conveyed by the earths magnetic field builds up during the time that the
plasma sheath runs down the electrodes, just as a tiny amount of spin in water
in a sink builds up to a substantial vortex when the drain empties. The longer
the electrode, the more the angular momentum builds up and the larger the
plasmoid.
However, a long electrode does have drawbacks, such as requiring a lot of stored
energy. In addition, small irregularities in the electrodes can impart varying
amounts of initial angular momentum. Based on LPP VP Aaron Blakes idea, the
invention injects a larger initial angular momentum by giving the cathode
electrodes a slight helical twist around the axis of the device. An alternate
method is to generate a small initial axial magnetic field by means of a helical
coil. Both approaches increase the efficiency of energy transfer to the plasmoid,
and reduce fluctuations in output. This angular momentum aspect of the invention
can be applied not only to Focus Fusion, but to other applications as well, such
as X-ray production.
A third innovation is the system for converting X-rays directly into electrical
energy. While photoelectric converters have long been used in X-ray detectors,
achieving high efficiency (around 80%) in converting high-energy X-rays to
electricity is not easy. In the patent documentation, Lerner describes a
multilayer device to capture the X-ray energy.
# # #
Source:
Contact
Eric Lerner <elerner {at} igc.org >
New Jersey
973-736-0522
Aaron Blake <blake_aaron {at} hotmail.com >
Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
781-862-3292
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See also
Editing by Mary-Sue
Haliburton
Page posted by Sterling
D. Allan March 17, 2006
Last updated March 17, 2011
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