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US 10,119,414 B2Granted
Hafnium turbine engine and method of operation
OwnerDavid J. Podroginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of heating a gas by directing X-rays at a mass of hafnium 178 to induce gamma rays. The gamma rays are directed at a heat exchanging apparatus, resulting in a stream of heated gas. This process powers a Hafnium gas turbine engine capable of providing shaft power or thrust to mechanical devices.
Claims18
A hafnium gas turbine engine comprising:
- an X-ray machine,
- a mass of hafnium,
- a heat exchange apparatus,
- and a gas turbine
- wherein the X-ray machine is configured such that X-rays from the X-ray machine will strike the hafnium when the X-ray machine is activated,
- and wherein the mass of hafnium is configured such that gamma rays from the hafnium are capable of heating a gas within the heat exchange apparatus,
- and wherein the heat exchange apparatus is configured to direct the heated gas towards the turbine to drive the turbine.
4 more elements
A method for driving a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of:
- providing an X-ray machine,
- providing a mass of hafnium,
- configuring the X-ray machine so that X-rays from the X-ray machine will strike the mass of hafnium when the X-ray machine is activated, resulting in the emission of gamma rays from the hafnium,
- providing a heat exchange apparatus,
- configuring the mass of hafnium and heat exchange apparatus so that gamma rays emitted from the hafnium are capable of heating a gas within the heat exchange apparatus,
- providing a gas turbine,
- and configuring the heat exchange apparatus to direct the heated gas towards the turbine to drive the turbine.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.