John E Rawls

US Patent:

43495060, Sep 14, 1982

Filed:

Jul 1, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/164989

Inventors:

John M. Rawls - Del Mar CA
Unto A. Peuron - Solana Beach CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G21B 100

US Classification:

376142

Abstract:

Apparatus is provided for controlling the plasma energy production rate of a magnetic-confinement fusion reactor, by controlling the magnetic field ripple. The apparatus includes a group of shield sectors (30a, 30b, etc. ) formed of ferromagnetic material which has a temperature-dependent saturation magnetization, with each shield lying between the plasma (12) and a toroidal field coil (18). A mechanism (60) for controlling the temperature of the magnetic shields, as by controlling the flow of cooling water therethrough, thereby controls the saturation magnetization of the shields and therefore the amount of ripple in the magnetic field that confines the plasma, to thereby control the amount of heat loss from the plasma. This heat loss in turn determines the plasma state and thus the rate of energy production.

US Patent:

20170334538, Nov 23, 2017

Filed:

May 17, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/157132

Inventors:

- San Diego CA, US
John Marshall Rawls - Del Mar CA, US
Alberto Alvarez-Calderon F. - La Jolla CA, US
Brian Maskew - Winthrop WA, US

International Classification:

B64B 1/26
B64B 1/08

Abstract:

An energy efficient and lighter-than-air high altitude platform (HAP) is disclosed that allows for sustained station keeping at high altitudes of about 50,000-80,000 feet for prolonged periods of time. The HAP includes an aerodynamically streamlined body that may have the topology of a torus. The body may be inflated with a lighter-than-air gas in an amount sufficient to provide lift to the high altitudes. The HAP has a duct extending through the pressurized body that diverts flow through the duct and reduces aerodynamic drag. The HAP may include one or more propellers situated in the duct to provide propulsion and maintain a given location of the HAP relative to ground. There may also be a control system, a solar energy collection system, an energy storage system, and/or any of a variety of payloads to accomplish various tasks, such as communication and/or situational awareness applications.