Thomas J Weaver

US Patent:

20170221589, Aug 3, 2017

Filed:

Feb 16, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/435101

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Lyman Weaver - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G21B 1/13

Abstract:

A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for liquid lithium first walls for electromagnetic control of plasmas in fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one layer of at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. A portion of the tile(s) facing the interior of the reactor chamber includes a plurality of channels. The method further involves applying an electric charge to the liquid lithium. Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to flow into the channels and to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In some embodiments, the method also involves installing at least one magnetic coil between the tile(s) and the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber.

US Patent:

20170200513, Jul 13, 2017

Filed:

Jan 23, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/412593

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Lyman Weaver - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G21B 1/13

Abstract:

A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for a complex shape structure for liquid lithium first walls of fusion power reactor environments. In particular, the method involves installing at least one tile on the surface area of the internal walls of the reactor chamber. The tile(s) is manufactured from a high-temperature resistant, porous open-cell material. The method further involves flowing liquid lithium into the tile(s). Further, the method involves circulating the liquid lithium throughout the interior network of the tile(s) to allow for the liquid lithium to reach the external surface of the tile(s) that faces the interior of the reactor chamber. In addition, the method involves outputting the circulated liquid lithium from the tile(s). In one or more embodiments, the reactor chamber is employed in a fusion reactor. In some embodiments, the tile is manufactured from a ceramic material or a metallic foam.

US Patent:

20170069400, Mar 9, 2017

Filed:

Oct 14, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/294532

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Lyman Weaver - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G21B 1/13
G21B 1/25

Abstract:

An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.

US Patent:

20170069401, Mar 9, 2017

Filed:

Oct 14, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/294557

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Lyman Weaver - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G21B 1/13
G21B 1/25

Abstract:

An apparatus and method are disclosed for machine-replaceable plasma-facing tiles for fusion power reactor environments. The apparatus and method involve a tile that is fish scale shaped, and a tile support tube that is attached to the back portion of the tile. The tile support tube includes at least one coolant channel and at least one guard vacuum channel. In one or more embodiments, the method for removing the tile comprises providing a tile that is installed in a manifold channel of a first wall of a fusion power reactor, rotating the tile such that it is in an install/removal orientation, inserting two tines of a removal tool between the outer edges of the tile and the first wall of the fusion power reactor, rotating the removal tool such that the two tines grasp the tile support tube, and lifting the tile away from the wall with the removal tool.