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US 12,652,745 B2Granted
System and method for generating and containing a plasma
OwnerJack A. Huntinventor
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Abstract
A novel plasma generation and containment system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and an electromagnet. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically coupled via a wire to form an open circuit. The voltage is asserted on the open circuit to form a spark between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a closed circuit. Then, a current is asserted on the closed circuit to form a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electromagnet provides a magnetic field to contain and compress the plasma.
Claims18
A system comprising:
- an annular electrode;
- a second electrode disposed within an interior of said annular electrode, said annular electrode and said second electrode defining a space therebetween;
- a plasma generator configured to initiate a high energy plasma within said space;
- a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field that permeates said space and at least partially confines said plasma within said space;
- a current source coupled to provide electrical current between said annular electrode and said second electrode and through said plasma to maintain said plasma;
- and
- a voltage source coupled to assert a voltage across said annular electrode and said second electrode, said voltage being sufficient to form a spark between said annular electrode and said second electrode;
- and wherein
- said current source is operative, after said spark is formed, to
- provide said current through a conductive path provided by said spark,
- provide a DC voltage across said annular electrode and said second electrode, and
- superimpose an AC voltage on said DC voltage, whereby said high energy plasma is maintained.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.