Bumper wall for plasma device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
InventorThomas A. Coultas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Operation of a plasma device such as a reactor for controlled thermonuclear fusion is facilitated by an improved bumper wall enclosing the plasma to smooth the flow of energy from the plasma as the energy impinges upon the bumper wall. The bumper wall is flexible to withstand unequal and severe thermal shocks and it is readily replaced at less expense than the cost of replacing structural material in the first wall and blanket that surround it.
Claims4
An improved bumper wall for placement about a region containing a plasma, the improved bumper wall comprising
- a plurality of strips of a refractory material, each of the strips overlapping a portion of the next of the strips to form an enclosed region partially surrounding the plasma region;
- a plurality of webs, each of the webs connected to one of the strips in an area less than the surface area of the strips;
- and
- an outer structure of circular cross-section connected in rigid engagement to each of the webs, wherein the strips may flex with respect to one another by bending of the webs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.