Flexible helical-axis stellarator

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866557

Harris, Jeffrey H ^[1]; Hender, Timothy C ^[2]; Carreras, Benjamin A ^[1]; Cantrell, Jack L ^[1]; Morris, Robert N ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Abingdon, GB2

An 1=1 helical winding which spirals about a conventional planar, circular central conductor of a helical-axis stellarator adds a significant degree of flexibility by making it possible to control the rotational transform profile and shear of the magnetic fields confining the plasma in a helical-axis stellarator. The toroidal central conductor links a plurality of toroidal field coils which are separately disposed to follow a helical path around the central conductor in phase with the helical path of the 1=1 winding. This coil configuration produces bean-shaped magnetic flux surfaces which rotate around the central circular conductor in the same manner as the toroidal field generating coils. The additional 1=1 winding provides flexible control of the magnetic field generated by the central conductor to prevent the formation of low-order resonances in the rotational transform profile which can produce break-up of the equilibrium magnetic surfaces. Further, this additional winding can deepen the magnetic well which together with the flexible control provides increased stability.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4735765
• OSTI ID: 866557
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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