Nuclear fusion using high energy charged particle convergence at a target cathode

Abstract

A controlled fusion process is provided that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions: a process that (i) uses a substantially higher reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases by converging cationic reactants into the higher reaction density at a target cathode rather than relying on random collisions, the converging producing a substantially higher rate of fusion and energy production; (ii) uses a substantially lower input of energy to initiate the fusion; (iii) can be cycled at a substantially higher cycle frequency; (iv) has a practical heat exchange method; (v) is substantially less costly to manufacture, operate, and maintain; and, (vi) has a substantially improved reaction efficiency as a result of not mixing reactants with products.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 002,922, filed May 26, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The teachings provided herein are generally directed to systems and methods for obtaining nuclear fusion energy using a high energy charged particle convergence at a target cathode to increase the amount of fusion energy produced in a single fusion cycle.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Most will agree that our world needs better sources of energy, source that are more efficient and would reduce the threat to the environment created by our current energy sources. In fact, most will agree that an uncompromising new energy architecture / paradigm is required to allow continued societal development and to avoid habitat and species loss. Current energy usage rewards a small minority of the population to the disadvantage ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The teachings provided herein are generally directed to systems and methods for obtaining nuclear fusion energy using a high energy charged particle convergence at a target cathode to increase the amount of fusion energy produced in a single fusion cycle. Namely, the teachings provide a controlled fusion process that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions: a process that (i) uses a substantially higher reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases by converging cationic reactants into the hig...

Problems solved by technology

In fact, most will agree that an uncompromising new energy architecture/paradigm is required to allow continued societal development and to avoid habitat and species loss.

Current energy usage rewards a small minority of the population to the disadvantage of the majority and environmental quality.

The combustion of carbon based fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) is still used primarily worldwide and still produces deleterious environmental effects in the form of elevated CO2 concentrations that is polluting our world and causing at least atmospheric warming and ocean chemistry changes.

For at least these reasons, the goal of producing fusion power to produce electricity has been pursued for decades and has been met with many problems that have not been solved; for example, there is still no controlled fusion process that can produce a sustained series of fusion reactions.

Unfortunately, this technology has not been successfully scaled to produce a power plant, as the system is limited to use of a low reactant density of the deuterium and tritium gases which produces only random collisions and, thus, a low production of energy.

Moreover, an unreasonably high energy is required to initiate the fusion, the system can only be cycled at a slow cycle frequency due to target loading and laser charging limitations, and there is no practical heat exchange method.

It is a costly and in...

Images