CN1010901B - Apparatus for direct conversion of radioactive decay energy to electrical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

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 circuit inductance comprises a coil wound on a core composed of radioactive nuclides connected in series with the primary winding of a power transformer. The core is fabricated from a mixture of three radioactive materials which decay primarily by alpha emission and provides a greater flux of radioactive decay products than the equivalent amount of a single radioactive nuclide.

Description

Apparatus for direct conversion of radioactive decay energy to electrical energy

Relate generally to of the present invention is a kind of to be the device of electric energy with the energy conversion of radioactive decay product directly, relates in particular to utilize alpha particle source to keep and strengthen vibration in the L-C pierce circuit.

Today, for small-sized, exquisite, reliable, light and dress up one and durable power supply need be in continuous growth so that for electric automobile, family, industry, agricultural, entertainment undertakings, long distance control system and satellite like this some applications electric power is provided.Today, most satellite was with solar cell and traditional chemical battery sets supply capability, and only required that low amounts of power is to support operation.The platform of radar, advanced telstar, particularly various advanced technology weapons, the much bigger electric power source that the space electric system that requires than today can be provided.For the application scenario of this very big power, nuclear reactor seemingly is suitable for.But for medium power range, 10 to 100 kilowatts, nuclear reactor has brought a series of insoluble technical matterss.With the efficient of today, provide 100 kilowatts, can require the solar absorption panels of many acre areas.Equally, in one period effective time, be enough to provide 100 kilowatts of required chemical fuels, also will be too heavy, too clumsy, so that can not be put to practicality.

In the past, several known, methods that radioactivity energy that natural radioactive element is discharged is converted to electric energy were once arranged in decay period.As far back as this century early fifties just developed a kind of radioisotope thermoelectric generator of picture grape fruit size, it is the heat that alpha particle produced of radiation when having utilized plutonium-238 decay.But its output power only limits to several hectowatts.The some other method that directly with the radioactivity decay energy conversion is electric energy is at United States Patent (USP) the 3rd, 290, and the 522, the 3rd, 409, the 820 and the 3rd, 939, open in No. 366.

Be presented to the United States Patent (USP) the 3rd that is entitled as " nuclear radiation electric organ " of Robert, Ji Naier (Robert Ginell) on Dec 6th, 1966, announced for 290, No. 522 and a kind ofly be restricted to the device that charging particle cloud density in the enclosure space of magnetic field provides electric power by modulation.Radiomaterial is placed in the central authorities of a hollow ball, and the inside surface plating of ball one deck silver.This spheroid is centrally placed between the two poles of the earth of a permanent magnet.The variation of charging particle cloud density causes the variation in the magnetic field that this particle cloud is set up.This variation cutting conductive mechanism in magnetic field is set up current potential and electric current therein.Electrostatic field and electromagnetic field that cycle is changed are used for restricted charging particle cloud, can change the density of charging particle cloud.Electric energy is, to obtain from the kinetic energy that gives charged particle (decay product) when the radioactive disintegration phenomenon occurring between decay period at radiomaterial.But the conversion efficiency of generating electricity in this way is very low, and the electric power magnitude that provides is too little so that can not be applied to most of occasions.

Be presented to the United States Patent (USP) that is entitled as " electric device " the 3rd, 409 of James O uncle's gram (James O.Burke) November 5 nineteen sixty-eight, thereby disclose a kind of device for No. 820 by radiomaterial conduction current amplified current.Although this device provides certain electric current amplification, require to have an external power source simultaneously, Chang Gui electric battery for example, thereby the electric power of abundance can not be provided for most of application scenarios.

Be presented to being entitled as of people such as Yasuro Ato the United States Patent (USP) the 3rd of " device that the radioactivity energy is converted to the method for electric energy and is used to finish this conversion " on February 17th, 1976,939, No. 366 a kind of device is disclosed, wherein to be converted into electric energy be by using the radioactive decay product irradiation semiconductor material to the radioactivity energy, thereby electronics one hole that makes this material production some is to realizing.Make a magnetic field, along perpendicular to electronics one hole to diffusion and perpendicular to adding magnetic field direction pass through this semiconductor material so that electronics and hole are collected by the electrode place that is provided with, thereby on this semiconductor material, produce current potential on the relevant end face of this semiconductor material.Though much higher by uncle's gram or the disclosed device of Ji Naier that the conversion efficiency of the disclosed this devices of people such as Ato compares, yet the output power of this device still is not enough to satisfy the requirement of using such as electric automobile or this class of satellite.

Primary and foremost purpose of the present invention is that providing a kind of is the device of electric energy with the radioactivity decay energy conversion directly.

Another purpose is, provide a kind of small-sized, exquisite, reliable, light, dress up one and durable, thereby be applicable to the power supply of automobile, family, industry, agricultural and entertainment aspect and satellite.

Also have a purpose to be, provide a kind of and can supply a large amount of electric power in the time a segment length, and few power supply of wanting or not safeguarding or add fuel.

According to a kind of nuclear battery that the principle of the invention provided, the energy of radiomaterial radioactive decay product that gives during radioactive disintegration wherein is used to keep and strengthens a vibration in the high Q value L-C oscillation circuit.Inductance in the oscillation circuit comprises a winding of power transformer, and is to be centered around around the core body of being made up of the radiomaterial mixing.The potpourri of radiomaterial produces bigger radioactive decay product flux than being used alone radiomaterial, so for the high-power necessary flux that provides is provided from little volume core body.Such as the use of the such long-lived isotope of radium, guaranteed that nuclear battery has decade-long stable output at least.

By detailed description below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, the present invention other and further purpose and advantage will come into plain view.In the accompanying drawing

Fig. 1 is the L-C equivalent resonant circuit sketch that draws according to the principle of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the wiring diagram according to the nuclear battery of principle of the invention body plan;

Fig. 3 is the planimetric map at nuclear battery radioactivity core body shown in Figure 2 top;

Fig. 4 is the planimetric map at nuclear battery shown in Figure 2 top; And

Fig. 5 is the side cutaway view of being got along nuclear battery A-A line shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to Fig. 1, this figure has showed the equivalent electrical circuit according to the nuclear battery of principle of the invention body plan.L-C-R circuit 1 comprises the winding 9 of capacitor 3, inductor 5, transformer T and the resistance 11 that is connected in series.Suppose that the electric conductor that connects each circuit component and form an inductor 5 and a winding 9 is a perfect conductor, that is do not have direct current resistance.Resistance 11 is lumped resistances that are equivalent to total direct current resistance of side circuit parts and conductor.Inductor 5 is on core body 7, and the latter is by mainly being to form by the decay potpourri of radioelement of radiation alpha particle.

When electric current circulated in circuit, energy was with the form dissipation of heat or loses.Like this, when inducting when vibration in the L-C-R circuit, because the energy loss in the circuit, unless constantly give the circuit makeup energy to keep this vibration otherwise this vibration will reduce gradually.In L-C-R circuit shown in Figure 1, between decay period, when decay product is formed the conductor absorption of inductor 5, give the portion of energy of decay product (for example alpha particle) at the radiomaterial that constitutes inductor core body 7, just be introduced among the circuit 1.The vibration in case inducted in this L-C-R circuit 1, as long as the energy that inductor 5 absorbs from the material radioactivity decay of core body 7 equals the energy that Ohmage dissipated at circuit 1, the energy of this absorption just will be kept this vibration.If the energy that is absorbed is greater than the energy total value of being lost by the Ohmage heating, this vibration will be reinforced.Unnecessary energy can flow to the load 17 on the Secondary Winding 13 that is connected across transformer T.

The energy conversion that is discharged by radiomaterial radioactive disintegration is that the process of electric energy is numerous and complicated.By radiation alpha particle or the natural radioactivity of beta particle decay material, may follow the radiative process of gamma rays.As the material of inductor core body 7, preferably selecting for use mainly is radiation alpha particle and the radiomaterial that decays.The speed of radiation alpha particle is very high, is about 1.6 * 10 ⁷The order of magnitude of meter per second, so, very high kinetic energy is arranged.The alpha particle of radiation is made up of two parts when having been found that for example radium decay, has 48.79 * 10 ⁵The electron-volt kinetic energy part and have 46.95 * 10 ⁵Electron-volt energy part.These kinetic energy must dissipate when alpha particle is formed the conductor absorption of inductor 5.In the absorption process, each alpha particle all will bump against with the one or more atoms in the conductor, their some electronics be hit leave the right or normal track, and give these electronics certain kinetic energy.Its result has increased the number of conduction electron in the conductor, thereby has improved its conductance.

Because alpha particle is the ion of positively charged, when alpha particle moves, has the magnetic field of following and occur.When alpha particle during by the conductor retardation motion, magnetic field will disappear, thereby induct a current impulse in conductor, make the electric current that flows through in the circuit 1 produce the amount of having a net increase of.And, because the ionizing event of positively charged alpha particle also has some electronics to de-orbit in addition.

Referring now to Fig. 2, nuclear battery 20 is pressed the cylindrical shape structure.Inductor 5 is to make around radioactivity core body 7 with the copper cash individual layer.Such as the such decay product of alpha particle (then indicated) as arrow 2, radially outward radiate from core body 7, absorb by the copper conductor that forms inductor 5.Eight transformers (15 among Fig. 4) are arranged to circular, form one and surround inductor 5 and coaxial with it right cylinder.Described transformer has a winding 9a-9h who is connected in series, and they are connected in series with inductor 5 and capacitor 3 subsequently again, to form the L-C-R circuit.Central core 7, inductor 5 and eight transformers are placed on columniform container 19 the insides simultaneously.Copper cash by individual layer on the outer wall and inwall of right cylinder 19, to form winding 23 and 21 respectively.The Secondary Winding 13a-13h of described transformer and winding 21 and 23 are connected to lead-out terminal 25 and 27.The configuration of inductor 5 designs to such an extent that can guarantee that copper conductor is subjected to the maximum irradiation of core body radiation source 7.The cylindrical shape of power transformer has guaranteed the magnetic flux of sewing of maximum transformer efficiency and minimum.

Referring now to Fig. 3,, radioactivity core body 7 comprises one piece of radium needle 39 that is surrounded with thorium 31 right cylinders by power, and many uranium bars 33 are placed on thorium 31 the insides.Power holds sodium between coaxial cylindrical wall 35 and 37 with thorium 31.The potpourri of these radioactive materials is used for core body 7, produces a kind of synergistic effect, this is because the fission phenomenon that occurs additionally inducting, and make that the flux ratio of the alpha particle of its generation uses separately that above any material produced want big.

Referring now to Figure 4 and 5, shown in the figure top view and side view according to the nuclear battery of principle manufacturing of the present invention.Inductor core body 7 is formed with the radium needle 39 of the cylindrical center of thorium 31 by axially being positioned over power, and power is contained between coaxial cylindrical wall 35 and 37 with thorium 31 and (can be used for this purpose such as light-duty mill bristol one class material).Inductor 5 is formed by No. 8 copper cash of two-layer American wire gage (AWG), and wherein one deck 41 is around radium needle 39, around the inboard towards wall 37, and another layer 43 be around the outside of wall 35, thereby surrounds power with thorium 31 and uranium bar 33.The diameter of inductor core body 7 is 1 1/4 inches, and long 6 inches, the outline diameter of inductor 5 is 1 5/8 inches.Eight transformers respectively have 3/4 inch square, 6 inches long iron core 45 that builds up with siliconized plate.One time winding 9a-9h respectively is made up of four floor AWG18 copper cash, and each is made up of Secondary Winding 13a-13h two-layer AWG12 copper cash.The profile outer diameter of described transformer is 1 1/4 inches.Out cylinder 19 is that siliconized plate builds up, and its internal layer winding 21 and outer winding 23 all are with AWG12 copper cash coiled.End plate 47 and 49 is by 2 3/4 inches of internal diameters, and the steel disc that overall diameter is 4 3/4 inches builds up 1/2 inch thick ring to be formed, and is used to provide the passage of a low magnetic resistance, to constitute the magnetic circuit shown in dotted line 51.

Nuclear battery is immersed in one and is full of oil and is equipped with in the metal can (not shown) of heating radiator (not shown) after assembling, so that provide necessary cooling for power transformer.The capacitor 3 that is used for the L-C-R circuit is that a kind of oil immersion type, high Q value energy discharge resonant capacitor.

In the structure shown in Fig. 2 and 3, use radium needle 39, the 200 gram uranium 33 and the 100 gram power thoriums 31 of one piece of 1 millicurie, reached under 86 kilo hertzs of sesames, to 400 volts, 23 amperes of the continuous outputs of ohmic load.Structure as shown in Figure 4, that utilize many pieces of additional radium needles 53 can be used for the output power value that reaches bigger.

Though I have showed and have illustrated this most preferred embodiment of my invention, but obviously the present invention is not limited to ad hoc structure described herein, for the personnel in the present technique field, without prejudice to spirit of the present invention or be no more than under the situation of claims scope of the present invention, may make many changes and deformation program at this point.

Claims (7)

1, be used for directly the radioactivity energy being converted to the device of electric energy, described device comprises:

A telefault, one has the capacitor that gives constant volume C; One has winding, the transformer of Secondary Winding and transformer core one time; With an output winding that links to each other with load, it is characterized in that:

Described telefault is one section electric conductor on the core body of being made up of at least two kinds of different radiomaterials;

A described winding has second inductance value;

The described just Secondary Winding of described output winding is in order to arrive operating load with couple electrical energy; With

Described device also comprises and is used for connecting described telefault with the series connection form, the electrical conductor arrangement of a described capacitor and a described winding, with form can vibration induced electricity the L-C-R series circuit, described electric oscillation is to keep and strengthen for described electric conductor by the described radiomaterial of launching charged particle by decay is given decay product during radioactivity decay energy conversion, wherein L is described first inductance value and the described second inductance value sum, and R is total direct current distributed resistance of this circuit.

According to the device of claim 1, it is characterized in that 2, described radiomaterial mainly is the material that decays by the radiation alpha particle.

According to the device of claim 2, it is characterized in that 3, described core body comprises three kinds of radiomaterials.

According to the device of claim 3, it is characterized in that 4, described three kinds of radiomaterials comprise radium, uranium and thorium.

5, the device that is used for the energy of radioactive decay product directly is converted to electric energy as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that wherein said:

Transformer is that some transformers form a right cylinder with the circular in configuration configuration usually, described core body places in this right cylinder, the longitudinal axis of described core body coincides with this cylindrical longitudinal axis, in described some the transformers each all has a winding and a Secondary Winding, a described winding all is connected in series mutually, the connection that also all is one another in series of described Secondary Winding.

6, device as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that also comprising a described cylindrical exterior circular column, and the longitudinal axis of this exterior circular column coincides with the longitudinal axis of described core body, an inboard winding that places near surface within the described exterior circular column, a lip-deep outside winding outside the described exterior circular column, described inboard and outside winding with the series connection form with being used for the described Secondary Winding that is connected in series of couple electrical energy to an operating load is connected.

7,, it is characterized in that R comprises that also one is given and decides resistance as claim 1 and 6 described energy conversion devices.

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