EP0243149A2 - Appareil pour la conversion directe de l'énergie de désintégration radioactive en énergie électrique - Google Patents

Appareil pour la conversion directe de l'énergie de désintégration radioactive en énergie électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0243149A2
EP0243149A2 EP87303505A EP87303505A EP0243149A2 EP 0243149 A2 EP0243149 A2 EP 0243149A2 EP 87303505 A EP87303505 A EP 87303505A EP 87303505 A EP87303505 A EP 87303505A EP 0243149 A2 EP0243149 A2 EP 0243149A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
core
radioactive
energy
inductor
primary winding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87303505A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0243149A3 (fr
Inventor
Paul M. Brown
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NUCELL Inc
Original Assignee
NUCELL Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NUCELL Inc filed Critical NUCELL Inc
Publication of EP0243149A2 publication Critical patent/EP0243149A2/fr
Publication of EP0243149A3 publication Critical patent/EP0243149A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
    • G21H1/00—Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes, nuclear or atomic batteries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
    • G21H1/00—Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes, nuclear or atomic batteries
    • G21H1/04—Cells using secondary emission induced by alpha radiation, beta radiation, or gamma radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to apparatus for the direct conversion of the energy of radioactive decay products to electrical energy and, more particularly, to the utilization of an alpha source to sustain and amplify oscillations in an LC oscillator circuit.
  • nuclear reactors appear to be the answer. However, for the intermediate power range, 10 to 100 kilowatts (kw), the nuclear reactor presents daunting technical problems. Given today's efficiencies, it would require many acres of solar panels to provide 100 kw. Similarly, enough chemical fuel to provide 100 kw for any significant period of time would be too heavy and bulky for practical use.
  • a radioactive material is positioned at the center of an enclosing hollow sphere having its inner surface coated with silver.
  • the sphere is centrally positioned between the poles of a permanent magnet.
  • the variation in the density of the cloud of charged particles causes a variation in the magnetic field created by the cloud. This variation in the magnetic field cuts an electrically conductive means to create an electrical potential and current therein.
  • the density of the cloud of charged particles may be varied by applying a periodically varying electro-static or electro-magnetic field to the confined cloud of charged particles.
  • the electrical energy is derived from the kinetic energy imparted to the charged particles (decay products) on the occurrence of a spontaneous disintegration event during the decay of the radioactive material.
  • the conversion efficiency is very low and the amount of electrical power provided too small for most applications.
  • a magnetic field is applied across the semiconductor material in a direction perpendicular to the direction of diffusion of the electron-hole pairs and to the direction of the applied magnetic field thus collecting the electrons and the holes at electrodes provided on the respective end faces of the semiconductor material to produce an electric potential across the semiconductor material.
  • the conversion efficiency of the system disclosed by Ato et al. is considerally higher than that disclosed by either Burke or Ginell, the power output of the system is not great enough for applications such as electric automobiles or satellites.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the direct conversion of the energy of radioactive decay to electric energy.
  • Another object is to provide an electric power source which is small, compact, reliable, lightweight, self-contained and rugged and therefore adaptable for use in automobiles, homes, industrial, agricultural and recreational applications and satellites.
  • Still another object is to provide an electric power source capable of providing large amounts of power for long periods of time with little or no maintenance or refueling required.
  • a nuclear battery in which the energy imparted to radioactive decay products during the spontaneous disintegrations of radioactive material is utilized to sustain and amplify the oscillations in a high-Q LC tank circuit is provided.
  • the inductance in the tank circuit comprises the primary of a power transformer and is wound about a core composed of a mixture of radioactive materials.
  • a mixture of radioactive materials produces a greater flux of radioactive decay products than the use of a single radioactive material by itself produces thereby providing the necessary flux for large power output from a small core volume.
  • Use of long-lived isotopes, such as radium ensures that the nuclear battery will have a constant output for at least ten years.
  • An equivalent electrical circuit of a nuclear battery constructed according to the principles of the present invention is shown.
  • An LCR circuit 1 is comprised of a capacitor 3, inductor 5, transformer T primary winding 9 and resistance 11 connected in series. It is assumed that the electrical conductors connecting the various circuit elements and forming the inductor 5 and primary winding 9 are perfect conductors; i.e., no DC resistance.
  • Resistor 11 is a lump resistance equivalent to the total DC resistance of the actual circuit components and conductors.
  • the inductor 5 is wound on a core 7 which is composed of a mixture of radioactive elements decaying primarily by alpha particle emission.
  • the energy absorbed by inductor 5 from the radioactive decay of the core 7 materials will sustain the oscillations as long as the amount of energy absorbed is equal to the amount of energy dissipated in the ohmic resistance of the circuit 1. If the energy absorbed is greater than the amount of energy lost through ohmic heating, the oscillations will be amplified. This excess energy can be delivered to a load 17 connected across the transformer T secondary winding 13.
  • each alpha particle will collide with one or more atoms in the conductor knocking electrons from their orbits and imparting some kinetic energy to the electrons. This results in increased numbers of conduction electrons in the conductor thereby increasing its conductivity.
  • the alpha particle Since the alpha particle is a positively charged ion, while the alpha particle is moving it will have an associated magnetic field. When the alpha particle is stopped by the conductor, the magnetic field will collapse thereby inducing a pulse of current in the conductor producing a net increase in the current flowing in the circuit 1. Also, there will be additional electrons stripped from orbit due to ionization produced by the positively charged alpha particles.
  • the nuclear battery 20 is constructed in a cylindrical configuration.
  • Inductor 5 is constructed of copper wire wound in a single layer around the radioactive core 7. Decay products, such as alpha particles, are emitted radially outward from the core 7 as indicated by arrows 2 to be absorbed by the copper conductor forming inductor 5.
  • Eight transformers 15 are arranged in a circular pattern to form a cylinder concentric with and surrounding inductor 5. The transformers 15 have primary windings 9a - 9h connected in series which are then connected in series with inductor 5 and capacitor 3 to form an LCR circuit.
  • the central core 7, inductor 5 and the eight transformers 15 are positioned within a cylindrical-shaped container 19.
  • Copper wire is wound in a single layer on the outside wall and the inside wall of cylinder 19 to form windings 23 and 21 respectively.
  • the transformers 15 secondary windings 13a - ­ 13h and windings 21 and 23 are connected in series to output terminals 25 and 27.
  • the configuration of inductor 5 is designed to insure maximum irradiation of the copper conductor by the radioactive core source 7.
  • the cylindrical configuration of the power transformer insures maximum transformer efficiency with minimum magnetic flux leakage.
  • the radioactive core 7 comprises a radium needle 39 surrounded by a cylinder of powered thorium 31 having a plurality of uranium rods 33 positioned within the thorium 31.
  • the powered thorium 31 is contained by concentiric cylinder walls 35 and 37.
  • the inductor core 7 consists of radium needle 39 positioned longitudinally in the center of a cylinder of powered thorium 31.
  • the powered thorium 31 is contained by concentric cylinder walls 35 and 37 (a material such as light cardboard may be utilized for this purpose).
  • Inductor 5 is formed from two layers of American Wire Gage (AWG) #8 copper wire, one layer 41 wound on the inward facing wall 37 surrounding the radium needle 39 and the other layer 43 wound on the outside of wall 35 thereby surrounding the powered thorium 31 and uranium rods 33.
  • AMG American Wire Gage
  • the inductor core 7 is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 6 inches long, with an overall diameter of 1 5/8 inches for inductor 5.
  • the eight transformers 15 each have a core 45 of laminated silicon steel 3/4 inches square by 6 inches in length.
  • the primary windings 9a - 9h each consist of four layers of AWG #18 copper wire and the secondary windings 13a - 13h each consist of two layers of AWG #12 copper wire.
  • the transformers 15 have an overall outside diameter of 1 1/4 inches.
  • the outer cylinder 19 is laminated silicon steel and an inner winding 21 of AWG #12 copper wire and an outer winding 23 of AWG #12 copper wire.
  • End plates 47 and 49 consisting of 1/2 inch thick annular rings of laminated silicon steel having an inner diameter of 2 3/4 inches and outer diameter of 4 3/4 inches are utilized to provide a low reluctance path to complete the magnetic circuit as shown by dashed line 51.
  • the capacitor 3 used in the LCR circuit is a high Q energy discharge resonant capacitor of the oil filled type.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Coils Or Transformers For Communication (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Magnetic Ceramics (AREA)
  • Primary Cells (AREA)
  • Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
EP87303505A 1986-04-23 1987-04-22 Appareil pour la conversion directe de l'énergie de désintégration radioactive en énergie électrique Withdrawn EP0243149A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US85560786A 1986-04-23 1986-04-23
US855607 1986-04-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0243149A2 true EP0243149A2 (fr) 1987-10-28
EP0243149A3 EP0243149A3 (fr) 1988-10-26

Family

ID=25321675

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87303505A Withdrawn EP0243149A3 (fr) 1986-04-23 1987-04-22 Appareil pour la conversion directe de l'énergie de désintégration radioactive en énergie électrique

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0243149A3 (fr)
JP (1) JPS62257100A (fr)
KR (1) KR870010565A (fr)
CN (1) CN1010901B (fr)
AU (1) AU597644B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1258925A (fr)
IL (1) IL82058A (fr)
NO (1) NO871281L (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2680613A1 (fr) * 1991-08-19 1993-02-26 Meyer Michel Activateur pour mutation isotopique.

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4961880A (en) * 1988-08-31 1990-10-09 Altran Corporation Electrostatic voltage excitation process and apparatus
US5076971A (en) * 1987-10-23 1991-12-31 Altran Corporation Method for enhancing alpha decay in radioactive materials
US20070007844A1 (en) * 2005-07-08 2007-01-11 Levitronics, Inc. Self-sustaining electric-power generator utilizing electrons of low inertial mass to magnify inductive energy
FR2939968B1 (fr) * 2008-12-17 2013-06-07 Eads Europ Aeronautic Defence Generateur electrique excite par rayonnements cosmiques.
EP2636055A1 (fr) * 2010-11-05 2013-09-11 Levitronics, Inc. Unités de bobines semi-conducteur métal et appareil électrique les comprenant
JPWO2021084570A1 (fr) * 2019-10-28 2021-05-06
CN112863727B (zh) * 2020-12-24 2023-03-17 吉林大学 一种核电池和一种提供电能的方法

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2548225A (en) * 1948-09-17 1951-04-10 Rca Corp Method of and means for generating and/or controlling electrical energy
US2748339A (en) * 1951-08-17 1956-05-29 Rudenberg Reinhold Charged particle a. c. generator
US3409820A (en) * 1964-07-10 1968-11-05 James O. Burke Electric power apparatus
AU2443171A (en) * 1971-01-18 1972-07-20 YONWIN and STEVE JOHN MORAITIS MICHAEL Radioisotope battery
US4489269A (en) * 1982-12-01 1984-12-18 Edling Ellsworth A Atomic battery with beam switching
US4487269A (en) * 1983-04-22 1984-12-11 J. I. Case Company Dozer blade angle adjustment mechanism

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2680613A1 (fr) * 1991-08-19 1993-02-26 Meyer Michel Activateur pour mutation isotopique.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU597644B2 (en) 1990-06-07
NO871281L (no) 1987-10-26
KR870010565A (ko) 1987-11-30
AU7171987A (en) 1987-10-29
CN87103077A (zh) 1987-11-04
CA1258925A (fr) 1989-08-29
NO871281D0 (no) 1987-03-26
EP0243149A3 (fr) 1988-10-26
CN1010901B (zh) 1990-12-19
JPS62257100A (ja) 1987-11-09
IL82058A (en) 1991-03-10

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