Pressure wave generator and controller for generating a pressure wave in a fusion reactor

Abstract

An apparatus for generating a pressure wave for activating a fusion reaction in fusionable material in a liquid medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, the pistons having respective control rods connected thereto. The apparatus also includes a plurality of transducers coupled to the liquid medium and means for causing the pistons of respective ones of the plurality of the pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of the plurality of transducers. The apparatus further includes means for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that the respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave that converges toward the fusionable material in the liquid medium.

1 . A method of operating a pressure wave generator in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, wherein each pressure wave generator has a moveable piston and a control rod coupled thereto, the method comprising: 
 causing the piston to be accelerated toward a transducer coupled to the liquid medium, by applying a motive force to the piston;    applying a restraining force to the control rod to cause the piston to impact said transducer at a desired time and with a desired kinetic energy such that said kinetic energy is converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying said motive force comprises applying a fluid pressure to the piston.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein causing the piston to be accelerated comprises applying a holding force to the control rod operable to hold the piston stationary while applying a fluid pressure to the piston.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  comprising using a brake to apply said holding force.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein causing the piston to be accelerated comprises releasing a latch coupled to at least one of the control rod and the piston, said latch being operable to hold the piston stationary while applying a fluid pressure to the piston.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a position signal representing a position of the piston and applying said restraining force in response to said position signal.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein generating said position signal comprises generating a signal representing a position of the control rod.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein applying said restraining force comprises applying said restraining force in response to differences between positions of the piston and desired piston positions from a schedule of positions representing a desired piston position relative to time.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein applying said restraining force comprises increasing said restraining force when a position of the piston is ahead of a scheduled position and decreasing said restraining force when said position of the piston is behind said scheduled position.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein applying said restraining force comprises producing a restraining force in response to applying a transfer function to at least one of said differences.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising modifying said transfer function in response to at least one of said differences, such that respective differences in a subsequent operation of the piston are minimized.  
   
   
       12 . A pressure wave generator apparatus for use in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, the apparatus comprising: 
 a moveable piston;    a control rod coupled to said piston;    a transducer coupled to the liquid medium;    means for causing said piston to be accelerated toward said transducer, by causing a motive force to be applied to said piston;    means for causing a restraining force to be applied said control rod to cause said piston to impact said transducer at a desired time and with a desired kinetic energy such that said kinetic energy is converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said means for causing said motive force to be applied comprises means for applying a fluid pressure to said piston.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising means for causing a holding force to be applied to said control rod, said holding force operable to hold said piston stationary while applying a fluid pressure to said piston.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising means for generating a position signal representing a position of said piston.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said means for causing said restraining force to be applied to said control rod is operably configured to cause said restraining force to be applied in response to said position signal.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said means for generating said position signal comprises means for generating a signal representing a position of said control rod.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said means for causing said piston to be accelerated toward said transducer comprises means for directing said piston toward a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor such that said piston impacts said wall and wherein said wall acts as said transducer coupled to the liquid medium, such that said impact of said piston against said wall causes a pressure wave to be generated in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising means for guiding said piston toward said transducer.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said means for guiding comprises means for at least partially evacuating air from movement path of said piston.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said means for guiding said piston comprises a housing having an inside bore.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising means for generating an air cushion between said piston and said inside bore operable to reduce frictional forces between said piston and said bore.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said transducer comprises means for impedance matching said transducer to the liquid medium.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said piston comprises a face operable to impact a face of said transducer and wherein said transducer comprises means for reducing localized impact stresses between said face of said piston and said face of said transducer.  
   
   
       25 . A pressure wave generator apparatus for use in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, the apparatus comprising: 
 a moveable piston;    a control rod coupled to said piston;    a transducer coupled to the liquid medium;    a motive force generator for causing said piston to be accelerated toward said transducer;    a brake for causing a restraining force to be applied said control rod to cause said piston to impact said transducer at a desired time and with a desired kinetic energy such that said kinetic energy is converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said motive force generator comprises a housing for guiding said piston, said housing defining a first cavity behind said piston, said cavity having a fluid port for applying a fluid pressure to said cavity operable to accelerate said piston toward said transducer.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said housing defines a second cavity in front of said piston and further comprising a vacuum port in said second cavity operable to facilitate said acceleration of said piston by at least partially evacuating said second cavity.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising a brake for causing a holding force to be applied to said control rod, said holding force operable to hold said piston stationary while applying a fluid pressure to said piston.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising a latch coupled to at least one of said control rod and said piston, said latch being operably configured to be released while fluid pressure is applied to said piston to permit said piston to accelerate under said fluid pressure.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising a position sensor for generating a position signal representing a position of said piston.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said control rod has a plurality of indicia on a surface thereof and said position sensor comprises: 
 an illuminator for directing a beam of light towards the indicia; and    a photodetector for generating a signal representing an intensity of light reflected from the indicia, such that when said piston is accelerated, movement of said control rod causes said photodetector to generate a signal of varying intensity representing said position of said control rod.    
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said brake is operably configured to cause said restraining force to be applied in response to said position signal.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said brake is operably configured to cause said restraining force to be applied in response to differences between positions of said piston and desired piston positions from a schedule of positions representing desired piston positions relative to time.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said brake is operably configured to cause said restraining force to be increased when a position of said piston is ahead of a scheduled position and to cause said restraining force to be decreased when said position of said piston is behind said scheduled position.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said brake is operably configured to cause said restraining force to be applied in response to applying a transfer function to said differences.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  further comprising a controller for modifying said transfer function in response to said differences, such that respective differences in a subsequent operation of said piston are minimized.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said motive force generator is operably configured to direct said piston toward a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor such that said piston impacts said wall and wherein said wall acts as said transducer coupled to the liquid medium, such that said impact of said piston against said wall causes a pressure wave to be generated in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said transducer comprises a member mounted on a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor and wherein the pressure wave generator apparatus is coupled to said wall such that said piston is disposed to impact said member.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 25  comprising a housing for guiding said moveable piston, said housing having an outside surface and an inside bore.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein said outside surface is operable to fit complementarily into an opening in a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein said piston comprises a plurality of fluid orifices disposed between said piston and said inside bore of said housing, said orifices being operably configured receive pressurized fluid and to generate an air cushion between said piston and said inside bore for reducing frictional forces between said piston and said bore.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said brake comprises: 
 an actuator;    a brake pad operable to generate said restraining force by frictionally engaging a surface of said control rod in response to an actuation force applied by said actuator.    
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric material.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said brake further comprises a magnetic circuit operably configured to establish a magnetic field through said control rod thereby generating eddy currents in said control rod when said control rod moves with respect to said magnetic circuit, said generation of said eddy currents operable to apply said restraining force to said control rod.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said brake comprises: 
 a magnetic fluid in contact with said control rod;    a magnetic circuit operably configured to generate said restraining force by causing a magnetic field to be coupled through said magnetic fluid and said control rod.    
   
   
       46 . A method of generating a pressure wave for activating a fusion reaction in fusionable material in a liquid medium, the method comprising: 
 causing pistons of respective ones of a plurality of pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective transducers coupled to the liquid medium, by applying respective motive forces to said pistons;    causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods connected to respective pistons to cause said respective pistons to impact said transducer at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that said respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave that converges toward the fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46  further comprising introducing fusionable material into the liquid medium.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 46  further comprising locating said fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising determining said desired times and said desired amounts of kinetic energy in response to a location of said fusionable material.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising producing location signals representing a location of said fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising producing release signals for causing said pistons to be accelerated and producing restraining signals for causing said restraining force to be applied to said control rods in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising receiving said release signals at actuators and causing said actuators to release said pistons for movement in response to said release signals.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising receiving said restraining signals at brakes and causing said brakes to apply said restraining forces to said control rods in response to said restraining signals.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 51  wherein at least one of said desired times and desired kinetic energies is determined in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising generating position signals representing positions of respective pistons and causing said restraining forces to be applied in response to said position signals and said location signals.  
   
   
       56 . A computer readable medium encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to carry out the method of  claim 46 .  
   
   
       57 . A computer readable signal encoded with codes for directing a processor circuit to carry out the method of  claim 46 .  
   
   
       58 . An apparatus for generating a pressure wave for activating a fusion reaction in fusionable material in a liquid medium, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, said pistons having respective control rods connected thereto;    a plurality of transducers coupled to the liquid medium;    means for causing said pistons of respective ones of said plurality of said pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of said plurality of transducers;    means for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that said respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave that converges toward said fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 58  further comprising means for causing fusionable material to be introduced into the liquid medium.  
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 58  further comprising means for locating said fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 60  further comprising means for determining said desired times and said desired amounts of kinetic energy in response to a location of said fusionable material.  
   
   
       62 . The apparatus of  claim 58  further comprising means for producing location signals representing a location of said fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 62  wherein said means for causing said pistons to be accelerated comprises motive force generating means for generating forces on said pistons in respective directions of desired movement of said respective pistons and holding means for holding said piston stationary while said forces are applied.  
   
   
       64 . The apparatus of  claim 63  further comprising means for producing release signals operable to be received by said holding means and said holding means being responsive to said release signals to release said pistons to cause said pistons to be accelerated in response to said forces generated by said motive force generating means and further comprising means for producing restraining signals to cause said restraining force to be applied to said control rods in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       65 . The apparatus of  claim 63  further comprising means for generating position signals representing positions of respective pistons to cause said restraining forces to be applied in response to said position signals and said location signals.  
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 65  wherein said means for causing restraining forces to be applied is operably configured to determine at least one of said desired times and desired kinetic energies in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       67 . An apparatus for generating a pressure wave for activating a fusion reaction in fusionable material in a liquid medium, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, said pistons having respective control rods connected thereto;    a plurality of transducers coupled to the liquid medium;    a plurality of motive force generators for causing said pistons of respective ones of said plurality of said pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of said plurality of transducers;    a plurality of brakes for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that said respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into    a pressure wave that converges toward said fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       68 . The apparatus of  claim 67  further comprising an aperture for causing fusionable material to be introduced into the liquid medium.  
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 67  further comprising a fusionable material locating system operable to locate said fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 69  further comprising a controller for determining said desired times and said desired amounts of kinetic energy in response to a location of said fusionable material.  
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 67  further comprising location sensors for producing location signals representing a location of the fusionable material in the liquid medium.  
   
   
       72 . The apparatus of  claim 71  wherein said motive force generators are operably configured to generate forces on said pistons in respective directions of desired movement of said respective pistons and further comprising a brake for holding said piston stationary while said forces are applied.  
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 72  further comprising a controller for producing release signals operable to be received by said brakes, said brakes being responsive to said release signals to release said pistons to cause said pistons to be accelerated in response to said forces generated by said motive force generators said brakes operable configured for producing restraining signals to cause said restraining force to be applied to said control rods in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       74 . The apparatus of  claim 72  further comprising position sensors for generating position signals representing positions of respective pistons to cause said restraining forces to be applied in response to said position signals and said location signals.  
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 73  wherein said controller for causing restraining forces to be applied is operably configured to determine at least one of said desired times and desired kinetic energies in response to said location signals.  
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 67  further comprising a plurality of location sensors operably configured to produce ultrasonic beams and to receive reflections of said ultrasonic beams, said reflections of said ultrasonic beams representing an alignment of respective ones of said pressure wave generators.  
   
   
       77 . A method of operating a pressure wave generator in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, the method comprising: 
 causing a moving piston having kinetic energy to impact a moveable transducer coupled to the liquid medium;    converting at least a portion of said kinetic energy into a pressure wave in the liquid medium such that said pressure wave envelopes and converges on a fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       78 . A pressure wave generator apparatus for use in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, the apparatus comprising: 
 a moveable piston;    a moveable transducer coupled to the liquid medium;    means for causing said piston having kinetic energy to impact said transducer;    means for converting at least a portion of said kinetic energy into a pressure wave in the liquid medium, said pressure wave operable to envelope and converge on a fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 78  further comprising means for guiding said piston toward said transducer.  
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 78  wherein said transducer comprises means for impedance matching said transducer to the liquid medium.  
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 78  wherein said piston has a face operable to impact a face of said transducer and wherein said transducer comprises means for reducing localized impact stresses between said face of said piston and said face of said transducer.  
   
   
       82 . A pressure wave generator apparatus for use in a system of pressure wave generators for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium contained in a fusion reactor, the apparatus comprising: 
 a moveable piston;    a moveable transducer coupled to the liquid medium;    a motive force generator for causing said piston having kinetic energy to impact said transducer such that at least a portion of said kinetic energy is converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium, said pressure wave being formed such that it envelopes and converges on a fusionable material in the liquid medium.    
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 82  wherein said transducer comprises a plurality of layers of materials having transmission properties, each material having different transmission properties, said materials being selected and arranged in said layers such that said transducer is generally impedance matched to the liquid medium.  
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 82  wherein said transducer comprises a member mounted on a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor and wherein the pressure wave generator apparatus is coupled to said wall such that said piston is disposed to impact said member.  
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 82  further comprising a housing having an outside surface and an inside bore, said inside bore operable to guide said piston toward said transducer.  
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 85  wherein said outside surface is operable to fit complementarily into an opening in a wall containing the liquid medium in the fusion reactor.  
   
   
       87 . The apparatus of  claim 85  wherein said housing has a first area defined by a first wall portion operably configured to hold said transducer in a position in which it will be impacted by said piston.  
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein said transducer comprises a member having an outside surface having a first portion defining a shape complementary to said first wall portion.  
   
   
       89 . The apparatus of  claim 85  wherein said housing has a first area defined by a first wall portion having a first inside diameter and wherein said housing has a second area defined by a second wall portion having a second inside diameter and wherein said housing has a third area defined by a tapered third wall portion located between said first and second wall portions, said first wall portion being operable to guide said piston and said second and third wall portions being operable to hold said transducer.  
   
   
       90 . The apparatus of  claim 89  wherein said transducer comprises a member having an outside surface having first and second portions defining a shape complementary to said second and third wall portions of said housing.  
   
   
       91 . The apparatus of  claim 90  wherein said first inside diameter is less than said second inside diameter.  
   
   
       92 . The apparatus of  claim 82  wherein said piston has a face operable to impact a face of said transducer and wherein said transducer comprises a conformal member for reducing localized impact stresses between said face of said piston and said face of said transducer.