Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion

Abstract

A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

1 . A plasma-electric power generation system comprising
 a fusion reactor comprising
 a cylindrical chamber having first and second ends and a longitudinally extending axis, 
 a first magnetic field generator, wherein the first magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of annular coils with a first polarity and positioned about the chamber along the axis, and 
 a means for generating an azimuthal electric field within the chamber to accelerate an annular plasma layer within the chamber, 
   an inverse cyclotron energy converter coupled to a first end of the chamber, the converter having a longitudinal extending axis coextensive with the longitudinal axis of the chamber, the converter comprising   four or more arcuate and longitudinally extending electrodes forming a cylindrical surface and in spaced relation to form an longitudinally extending gaps between adjacent electrodes,   a second magnetic field generator, wherein the second magnetic field generator comprises a plurality of annular coils with a second polarity and positioned about the electrodes along the axis, wherein the first and second polarity of the plurality of coils of the first and second magnetic field generators being adapted to cause the formation of a magnetic cusp positioned between the first and second magnetic field generators,   an annular electron collector positioned interposing the first and second magnetic field generators and about a first end of the four or more electrodes and the chamber at a formation region for the magnetic cusp, and   an ion collector positioned adjacent a second end of the four or more electrodes normal to the longitudinal axis of the converter.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second inverse cyclotron energy converter coupled to the second end of the chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the reactor and converter form a cylindrical vessel. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a resonant circuit coupled to the four or more electrodes. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a tank circuit coupled to the four or more electrodes. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the field lines of the magnetic field generatable by the field coils of the first magnetic field generator run in a direction opposite to the field lines of the magnetic field generatable by the field coils of the second magnetic field generator. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the electron collector and ion collector are electrically coupled. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the four or more electrodes are symmetrical. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first magnetic field generator further comprises first and second sets of mirror coils disposed in spaced relation about the vessel and defining a power core region therebetween. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the means for generating an azimuthal electric field comprises a current coil concentric with a principle axis of the vessel and positioned within the power core region. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the fusion reactor further comprises plasma injectors coupled to the vessel. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the plasma injectors are axially oriented to inject plasma toward a mid-plane of the power core region. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first magnetic field generator is tunable. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a control system coupled to the first magnetic field generator. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the current coil is a betatron flux coil. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the current coil includes parallel windings of a plurality of separate coils. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the fusion reactor further comprises ion beam injectors coupled to the vessel. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the ion beam injectors include a means for neutralizing the electric charge of the ion beams emitted from the injectors.