Plasma containment device

Patent · Tue Mar 31 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6402929

Shelton, J D

This patent describes a plasma containment device for generating and sustaining a ball of plasma comprising enclosure means for providing a sealed environment for plasma formation; primary electromagnet means having oppositely positioned pole pieces positioned in coaxial alignment with a magnetic field central axis for generating a primary magnetic field in the enclosure means; gas jet means positioned at terminal end portions of pole pieces in generally parallel alignment therewith for providing gas under pressure to the enclosure means for subsequent ionization for plasma ball formation during an initial pressurization model of operation and for preventing touching contact between the electromagnet opposite pole pieces and a plasma ball generated in the enclosure in a plasma ball sustaining model of operation; gas discharge means for selectively sealing the enclosure during the initial pressurization mode of operation and for discharging gas from the enclosure during the plasma ball sustaining mode of operation; gas ionization means for ionizing gas at a central position within the magnetic field during the initial pressurization mode of operation; plasma energizing means for selectively providing energy to the plasma ball during the plasma ball sustaining mode of operation for maintaining an energy level in the plasma ball of a selected magnitude.

• Assignee: EDB-87-136434; NOV-87-068073
• Patent Number(s): US 4654561
• OSTI ID: 6402929
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ALIGNMENT
CONFINEMENT
CONTAINERS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS FLOW
GASES
IONIZATION
IONIZED GASES
JETS
MAGNET POLE PIECES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA PRODUCTION
POSITIONING
PRESSURIZING
SEALS