EP0830688A1

EP0830688A1 - Triode apparatus for control of nuclear fusion

Info

Publication number: EP0830688A1
Application number: EP96915598A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Evan L. Ragland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-06-05
Filing date: 1996-05-08
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Also published as: AU5733896A; WO1996039700A1

Abstract

An apparatus and process for controlled nuclear fusion of hydrogen ions. The apparatus utilizes three or more electrodes in an electrolytic cell, preferably a single cathode with two anodes which direct current to different faces of the cathode. The current applied to the anodes is varied in a manner which disrupts the hydrogen ion absorption equilibrium within the cathode, resulting in increased absorption of hydrogen ions, and overcrowding of the cathode with hydrogen ions. Adsorption of hydrogen ions by the cathode is enhanced further by preparation of the cathode in a manner which provides molecular pathways through the cathode, such as by epitaxial layering of palladium or other metals on various substrates, micro lithography, masking or etching of the cathode.

Description

Description Triode Apparatus for Control of Nuclear Fusion

Technical Field This invention relates to controlled nuclear fusion and more particularly to controlled nuclear fusion of hydrogen ions within a three electrode (triode) nuclear fusion cell whereby external control of electrical inputs applied to two of the electrodes permits controlled loading of hydrogens ions into the body of the third electrode, switching of the nuclear fusion reaction on and off, and control of the level of nuclear fusion reaction within the cell apparatus.

Background Art

The efforts heretofore to develop apparatuses, methods, and constructions to effect controlled nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms span most of the twentieth century. Speculative research into hydrogen atom fusion was inspired by Einstein's 1905 Theory of Special Relativity predicting enormous energy was locked within the atom. In 1926, Fritz Panneth and Kurt Peters at the Chemical Institute of the University of Berlin reported fusion of hydrogen into helium in palladium capillary tubes. In April 1927, they retracted this claim but not before John Tandberg, a researcher at the Electrolux Laboratory in Stockholm, had begun research for fusion within a palladium cathode in electrolysis.

In 1932, the neutron, the neutral particle suggested by Ernest Rutherford in 1920, was discovered by James Chadwick at the Cavendish Laboratories in England. Also in 1932, Harold Urey of Columbia University discovered "heavy hydrogen," the deuterium isotope with one proton and one neutron in its nucleus. These discoveries inspired Tandberg to experiment with deuterated palladium wires in which he attempted to electrically shock deuterium atoms to fusion. These experiments were unsuccessful.

During the Second World War, development of nuclear fission dominated nuclear research. However, nuclear fusion was not completely forgotten. In May 1941, Japanese physicist Tokutaro Hagiwara of the University of Kyoto lectured on the linkage of nuclear fission and thermonuclear fusion. Subsequently and independently, Enrico Fermi suggested to Edward Teller in September 1941 that a nuclear fission bomb might be used to heat deuterium to thermonuclear fusion. Thereafter, Teller became the leading advocate and theoretical proponent for development of the thermonuclear fusion bomb. On January 31, 1950, President Harry Truman approved the development of the fusion bomb. Teller, collaborating with Stanislaw Ulam of Princeton University, fashioned the architecture of the bomb. It was developed at Los Alamos in 1951-52, and the first fusion bomb was exploded on Eugelab Island, Eniwetok on November 1, 1952.

In the early 1950's, some scientists in the United States and Europe envisioned containment of high temperature fusion within a "magnetic bottle." Reduction of this relatively simple concept called magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) to practice could obviate nuclear fission as a power source. Scientists envisioned small, safe, environmentally benign, and compact "fail safe" reactors burning cheap, abundant fuel. In 1951, the Atomic Energy Commission initiated Project Sherwood, a classified program for research into controlled nuclear fusion.

Lack of knowledge and experience in the physics of high temperature plasmas plagued all efforts at magnetic containment, but a Russian apparatus, the tokamak, conceived in 1951 by physicists Andrei D. Sakharov and Igor Y. Tamm, progressed further than others. In 1969, Lev A. Artsimovich et al. at the I. V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy announced significant increases of plasma confinement time and temperatures. British confirmation of these claims in mid- 1969 led to worldwide adoption of the tokamak as a research vehicle. The largest tokamaks presently in use are Princeton's Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR), the DIII-D tokamak at General Atomics in San Diego, the Joint European Torus (JET) in Culham, England, the T-15 tokamak in Russia, and the JT-60 tokamak in Japan.

At the Geneva Summit in 1985, Mikhail S. Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan called for a joint effort to develop fusion. In 1987, the European Community, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. formed a joint venture to build an experimental tokamak reactor named the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). In April 1992, the ITER Advisory Committee proposed a schedule for reactor construction to complete about 2020. The purpose of the ITER reactor is research and development of data, information, technologies and materials necessary for design and construction of a commercial electric generating system. Government classified laser weapons research led to the concept of focused laser radiation to compress tritium and deuterium to nuclear fusion. The concept, called inertial confinement fusion, (ICF), focuses scores of laser beams on the spherical surface of a deuterium/tritium pellet. The enormous radiant energy, trillions of kilowatts, theoretically implodes the pellet thereby compressing the deuterium and tritium to nuclear fusion. Laser driver requirements exceed by many times the power of the world's largest laser, a neodymium-glass laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In the late 1980's, Department of Energy plans proposed a "Laboratory Microfusion Facility" (LMF) to build an ICF laser driver. Proponents of the project were the National Laboratories at Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore, the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, and the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Critics maintained that even if such a driver could be built, its required pulse rate would be self destructive. Plans for the LMF were shelved in 1991; however, experimental research continues using the Nova and a 24-beam ICF laser driver at the University of Rochester.

In 1948, F.C. Frank at the University of Bristol and Andrei Sakharov in Russia independently speculated that the muon might catalyze deuterium-deuterium (d-d) fusion. In 1956, at the University of California Luis Alvarez research group observed what appeared to be muon triggered fusion but determined the muon decayed before triggering enough reactions to reach breakeven. In 1977, Russian theorists Leonid Ponamarev and S.S. Gerschstein predicted the reaction rate for muon induced deuterium-tritium (d-t) fusion was thousands of times the d-d fusion rate. In 1979, Stephen E. Jones tests of the Russian d-t theory at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility proved inconclusive. In March 1982, the Office of Advanced Energy Projects at DOE began funding Jones' research. In 1983, Jones et al. reported, in Physical Review Letters, observing a rate of one hundred fusion reactions per muon. In July 1987, Scientific American published an article by Jones and Johann Rafelski. Renaming the reaction "cold fusion" the article emphasized that it, ". . . can take place at room temperature in a simple chamber . . .", and might, "eliminate the need for powerful lasers or high temperature plasmas. . . . [and] . . . one day become a commercial energy source."

Stanley Pons of the University of Utah and Martin Fleischmann of the University of Southampton in England claimed in press conferences on March 23, 1989, they had achieved nuclear fusion at room temperature in simple laboratory electrolysis apparatus by loading deuterium into palladium cathodes. The announcement electrified the scientific community and triggered expansive international research. Laboratories and universities worldwide now regularly report observations of anomalous excess power generation in hydrogen palladium systems. While theory of the phenomenon is not firmly established, the generation of large excesses of heat can best be attributed to nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms. In May 1991, Evan Ragland postulated mechanics of nucleonic conduction, he called "viviance," of hydrogen atoms in metals and submitted for peer review "The Theory of Crowding Fusion," a theoretical paper explaining the natural mechanistic behavior of the phenomenon observed by Pons and Fleischmann. Independently Masayoshi Tamaki and Kanji Tasaka at Nagoya University experimentally verified the electro-transport (viviance) of hydrogen atoms in palladium. Both the Ragland and Tamaki-Tasaka papers were presented at the Third International Conference on Cold Fusion, in Nagoya, Japan, October 1992 and published by Universal Academy Press, Tokyo, July 1993.

All nuclear fusion art developed this century centers on fusion of the hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium. Presently, the actively pursued arts are thermonuclear, MCF, ICF, muon, and Pons-Fleischmann. Of these, only thermonuclear has been reduced to practice, proving enormous energy release in d-d and/or d-t nuclear fusion, but controlled only by explosive trigger. Tokamak apparatuses have advanced the art of MCF; however, fusion in these apparatuses has yet to generate power breakeven with input power and the "ignition" or self-sustaining level of fusion is still another order of magnitude removed. Further, envisioned reactor size has grown in scale from "backyard" dimensions to reactors larger in size and cost than any existing nuclear fission reactor. Finally, projected costs for ITER require global investments over the next fifty years that may be unaffordable to the participating industrial nations. While proof of principal of ICF art is claimed, no laser drivers exist that are within orders of magnitude large enough to test and evaluate the principle, nor is there an active program to develop such lasers. Again, the question of scale arises; projected ICF reactors dwarf even the anticipated size of commercial tokamak reactors. Significant theoretical progress has been made in muon triggered d-t fusion and the principal is soundly proven; however, even proponents do not forecast breakeven power generation. Worldwide observations by reputable scientific laboratories of anomalous excess power generation in Pons-Fleischmann palladium cathode hydrogen cells, both electrolytic and gaseous discharge, has led to claims of nuclear fusion reactions in the cathode of the cells. Excess heat far above breakeven generated in these experiments exceeds any known chemical reaction, is self-sustaining, and the cells are small in size, relatively inexpensive and can be operated at room through industrial temperatures. However, there is no proof of the mechanism of nuclear fusion in these cells, experiments are empirical, reproducibility of the phenomenon is happenstance, and methods for control of the phenomenon are unknown.

The present invention concerns technical improvements that teach new art and methods for solving the problems associated with Pons-Fleischmann cells and for reduction of those type cells to practice. This invention specifically relates to three electrode cell apparatuses in which the third electrode serves to provide means of control for loading the cell, initiating and terminating fusion reactions, and for regulating the output energy of the cell.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a nuclear fusion apparatus consisting of an electrolytic or gas discharge cell with an arrangement of three electrodes so fashioned as to permit external control of the: (1) loading of fusion fuel in the form of hydrogen ions into the cell, (2) activation and deactivation of the nuclear reaction, (3) level of the fusion fuel burn during activation, and (4) extraction of the heat generated during fusion burn. The invention is an order of magnitude improvement over two electrode apparatuses of prior art in which means of external control are limited to control of primary cell current. In particular, the improvement permits external control functions to: (1) overcome the nature and properties of a cell to reach an equilibrium state before sufficient fuel is loaded for spontaneous ignition of fusion, (2) switch the cell into and out of ignition, (3) set the level of the fusion reaction rate, (4) through dynamic feed back establish and maintain equilibrium of the fusion reaction rate which otherwise spontaneously responds to internal disturbances and perturbations, and (5) automatically shut the fusion reaction down in the event of primary cell malfunction or secondary malfunction of some other part of the system in which the cell is used. In the present invention a plurality of anodes are utilized in conjunction with a single cathode. In an aqueous electrolyte, electrical current travels from each anode to the cathode, creating hydrogen ions (including deuterium and tritium ions) within the electrolyte. A small percentage of these hydrogen ions are absorbed into the cathode material. In most cathode materials an equilibrium is reached were the electrical charge of the absorbed hydrogen ions prevents absorption of any further ions. However, in certain materials, most notably palladium, under certain conditions, enough hydrogens ions may be absorbed to result in fusion of hydrogen ions within the cathode, resulting in the formation of helium, and the release of substantial quantities of energy.

In the presently known two-electrode systems, equilibrium is usually reached prior to the initiation of fusion, even using a Palladium cathode. However, it is evident that some two-electrode, palladium cathode systems do reach fusion initiation, although the reason why some succeed and most fail is not understood. It is postulated that the physical structure of some palladium cathodes allow for greater absorption of hydrogen ions than other cathodes not sharing the same physical attributes. The present invention uses a plurality of anodes and means of varying the current applied to these anodes to periodically alter the equilibrium state within the cathode. It is believed that the altering of the equilibrium state within the cathode results in further absorption of hydrogen ions by the cathode, leading to initiation of nuclear fusion.

In addition, the present invention addresses the physical attributes of the cathode. It is postulated that molecular pathways within the cathode may facilitate further absorption of hydrogen ions. Thin layers of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium on various substrates result in a cathode with increased molecular pathways, providing for increased absorption of hydrogen ions and increased opportunity to reach nuclear fusion before being blocked by achieving equilibrium. Use of micro lithography, masking, or etching of the thin outer layer of the cathode also results in increased molecular pathways for hydrogen ions. Accordingly, the present invention teaches the use of three or more electrodes which provides a method for disrupting the equilibrium of hydrogen ion absorption achieved within the cathode and further teaches the use of various cathode designs which facilitate the absorption of hydrogen ions into the cathode.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be obvious from more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

A better understanding of the invention may be had from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail drawing of the end bells of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail drawing of the end mounts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagramming the control functions of the electrodes of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of cathode of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line A- A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates viviant pathways along a crystalline boundary for nucleonic travel; FIG. 8 is a characteristic voltage current graph of the over voltage characteristic of palladium; and

FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e show diagrammatically absorption sites of a face centered cubic crystal unit cell illustrating primary and secondary absorption sites.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The primary object of the present invention is to teach new and novel means of control for loading and sustaining a Pons-Fleischmann electrolytic cell or a corresponding gas discharge cell to nuclear fusion ignition levels. While the present invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, the method and art of control may be explained in connection with FIG. 1 which presents in cross section view a detailed illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein and FIG. 2 which presents a cut away view of the same embodiment. The embodiment illustrated is an electrolyte flow-through cell with three electrodes, a cathode 1, an inner anode 2, and an outer anode 3. These electrodes are concentrically arranged on end mounts 4 so that the inner anode 2 is contained within and extends the length of the cathode 1, which is tubular in shape, and the outer anode 3 encompasses and extends the length of the tubular cathode 1. Seats in the cell outer casing 5 physically locate and position the end mounts 4. Electrical contacts 6, 7, and 8 on the end mounts 4 make electrical contact respectively with the electrodes 1, 2, and 3 and are electrically and separately wired to the external connector 9. Six threaded bolts flange mount end bells 10 through bolt holes 11 shown in FIG. 3 to threads 12 in the outer casing 5 and compress and hydraulically seal O-ring gasket 13 against the cell casing 5 and the end mounts 4. Compression type hydraulic connectors 14 on the end bells 10 provide for external hydraulic connections to the cell. Referring to FIG. 4, the details of end mount 4 illustrate the interior circular mounting surface 15 for the inner anode 2, the exterior circular mounting surfaces 17 for the cathode 1, the exterior circular mounting surface 16 for the outer anode 3, and the openings 18 and 19 which provide for electrolyte flow through the cell.

A description of the fundamentals of cathode loading mechanics and crowding fusion theory is helpful in understanding the new art taught by the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the wall cross section of cathode 1 denoted as section A-A in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 6, the preferred cross section structure of the cathode is a thin plating of palladium metal 20 on a silver metal 21 substrate. Both metals are face centered cubic crystal in structure. Since the crystal lattice constants are slightly different, the over plating of palladium on silver causes a polycrystalline mosaic 22 to form in the plated palladium metal. In this embodiment, the total thickness of the substrate is approximately 1 millimeter, with the thin coatings being approximately 5 microns on both inner and outer surfaces. The incomplete crystal structure along boundaries between polycrystalline elements abounds in sites for reversible formation and dissociation of the hydrides of palladium. The mechanics of formation and dissociation, herein termed "viviance", create conductive pathways 23 for the nuclei of the hydrogens to travel as illustrated in FIG. 7 along the crystalline boundary 24 or across the crystalline boundary 25. This activity across and along "viviant" pathways tends to equalize absorbed hydrogen nucleonic charges between crystalline neighbors and to short circuit nucleons through charged regions in the palladium metal.

During use of the apparatus, ionic clouds of positive ions of hydrogen form near the surfaces of the cathode 1, the totality of which creates positive over voltages Ej (inner) and E₀ (outer). Characteristically, these voltages increase rapidly with increasing current density, which relationship is shown graphically in FIG. 8. Only a relatively few ions in the clouds reach the cathode 1 and of that few only 0.1 % are so oriented as to penetrate the cathode metal. Those ions are absorbed into potential wells within the crystal structure. FIG. 9a diagrams the basic fourteen atom unit cell of a face centered cubic crystal structure. FIG. 9b shows the twelve primary or octal sites where negative potential wells may absorb ions of the hydrogens. FIG. 9c shows the tetrahedral structure forming secondary negative potential wells at the eight corners of the unit cell. FIG. 9d shows ions of the hydrogens occupying the tetrahedral sites. FIG. 9e shows the unit cell with all octal and tetrahedral sites occupied. In most metals such as silver these sites fill only to the depth of penetration of kinetic ions. Thereafter, further absoφtion of ions of the hydrogens occurs in accordance with the generally accepted rules for diffusion of the hydrogens in metals. However, in palladium, viviant pathways tend to short circuit ions of the hydrogens through the region of kinetic absoφtion. This accounts for the relative huge quantities of hydrogen ions absorbed by palladium metal. The charged region of kinetic absoφtion acts as a containment barrier for those ions absorbed deeper into the palladium due to the metal's vivant characteristics. As more and more ions short circuit through the barrier, they spread beneath it increasing the depth of the barrier. Inopportune distribution of viviant pathways in palladium specimens generally limits this absoφtion mechanism, with coloumbic equilibrium being reached within the cathode, blocking further absoφtion prior to onset of fusion. Occasionally palladium specimens with opportune viviant characteristics dramatically evidence nuclear fusion. These disparate experimental results— failure to reach fusion ignition in most experiments and dramatic success in a random few experiments— coupled with the erratic results observed in attempts to duplicate successful experiments underlie the controversy in this research field.

Only two mechanisms must be functionally active for the absoφtion of huge quantities of hydrogen ions into palladium metal. First, the mechanism of kinetic ion absoφtion by interstitial octal sites must form a rigid electrostatic containment barrier to the escape of deeply absorbed hydrogen ions; and second, the viviant mechanism must create pathways through the containment barrier for hydrogen ions to permeate further into the metal. The theory of crowding fusion teaches that unless the accumulation of contained ions reaches a state of coloumbic equilibrium, the accumulation of contained hydrogen ions will ultimately crowd deuterons near the center of absoφtion to nuclear fusion. The probability of coloumbic equilibrium blocking hydrogen ion absoφtion before nuclear fusion ignition is reached is so high it is an anomaly when this occurs, even in palladium metal cathodes fraught with polycrystalline boundaries. Presently, there is no known way to fabricate or grow optimized polycrystalline cathode structures to overcome blocking of the crowding mechanism by coloumbic equilibrium. A number of experimentalists have manipulated cell parameters and environment factors in searches for external means of control. Among these are physical shock, thermal shock, radio frequency stimulation, ultrasonic stimulation, cathode current pulsing, cathode current ramping, magnetic field disturbance, and combinations of two or more of these methods. A few of these manipulations happen to marginally effect the state of coloumbic equilibrium . No comprehensive approach to external control has developed as a result of these experiments.

All of these experiments have been performed with conventional two electrode cell apparatuses. The present invention describes a three electrode cell apparatus in which the third electrode provides external means to overcome the effect of coloumbic equilibrium and thus prevent blocking of the crowding mechanism. Referring now to FIG. 8, inspection of the palladium over-voltage current density relationship indicates the useful control range of current density for the cathode surfaces shown in the cathode cross section of FIG. 6 lies between 200 and 1000 milliamperes per square centimeter. Since cathode current is ionic, it follows that the maximum rate of ionic absoφtion is directly related and approximately proportional (~ 0.1%) to current density. A considerable body of experimental data exists for palladium cathode charging over this range of current density. From this data, it is generally concluded that, with reference to FIG. 9b, the octal sites must at least be fully occupied by absorbed ions before it is possible to reach the threshold of fusion ignition. At this level of absoφtion there are twelve hydrogen ions in each unit cell of fourteen ions, or expressed another way, the ratio of hydrogen nuclei to metal nuclei is approximately 0.85. A number of experimentalists conclude a ratio of at least 0.95 is required for fusion ignition. This higher ratio is in general agreement with the theory of crowding fusion. Experimental data indicates that even the 0.85 ratio level is difficult to achieve which suggests most experimental cathode specimens reach coloumbic equilibrium before this level is reached. A criterion of the present invention is that for practical puφoses, it must be assumed that the cell cathode always reaches coloumbic equilibrium before adequate loading is realized. Given this criterion, the bulk structure of the cathode may be made of any otherwise appropriate metal, ceramic, or plastic so long as its outer surface is plated with palladium. Silver was chosen for the embodiment described in this disclosure for the reasons previously given in description of FIG. 6. Aluminum, copper, several ceramics, or some plastics might serve as well. Similarly, the metal palladium is used in this disclosure in a generic sense in that nickel, platinum and titanium also exhibit comparable properties. The palladium plating serves two useful functions. First, through absoφtion of kinetic ions, it forms a containment vessel for deeper penetrating ions. Second, it provides viviant pathways for ion transport through the containment barrier further into the palladium cathode interior. In explanation of the external control advantage of the present invention, with reference again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, assume different currents are supplied to the inner anode 1 and the outer anode 3, and further assume selected current density on the inner cathode surfaces Ij (inner) is 200 milliamperes per square centimeter and selected current density on the outer cathode surfaces I„ (outer) is 400 milliamperes per square centimeter. The cathode will absorb kinetic ions until it reaches coloumbic equilibrium. But referring to FIG. 6 for the selected current densities, the over-voltage E₀ is greater than the over- voltage Ej, and thus for coloumbic equilibrium to be reached, this difference in over-voltages must be offset by greater accumulated charge beneath the outer surface of the cathode than that beneath the inner surface. Referring to the schematic of FIG. 5, the independent external control of interior current I_t and exterior current I₀ provides means to overcome this state of coloumbic equilibrium within the cell. If, for example, the current levels supplied to the inner anode 1 and the outer anode 3 are reversed, the levels of current density are reversed, and the distribution of absorbed charge within the cell is removed from coloumbic equilibrium. Restoration of equilibrium requires a period of time for redistribution of absorbed ionic charge. During this time additional ions absorb into the cathode along viviant pathways and into interstitial potential wells vacated in the dynamic process of charge redistribution. External control of anode currents can be used again to upset equilibrium and initiate a new restoration cycle. Through repetitive switching of interior current I; and exterior current I„ blocking of the cell loading process by coloumbic equilibrium can be overcome or avoided. This permits the loading of the cell with hydrogen ions to a point supportive of fusion ignition. Once fusion is initiated, substantial energy is released in the form of heat. This heat is transferred to the aqueous electrolyte which is passing through the apparatus. Heat may be removed from the electrolyte by well known means, and used to provide heat, to generate electricity, etc. Control of the nuclear fusion reaction can be achieved by control of the current to the anodes. Continued absoφtion of hydrogen ions is required for the fusion reaction to be maintained. Accordingly, if the source of hydrogen ions is removed, the reaction will slow and stop. Ceasing current flow to the anodes in the present invention will remove the source of hydrogen ions. Similarly, the maintenance of coloumbic equilibrium will slow the absoφtion of hydrogen ions and slow or stop the nuclear fusion reaction. Accordingly, the frequency or extent to which equilibrium is disrupted by varying the current flow to the anodes provides a mechanism for control of the rate of the fusion reaction.

It is noted that fusion of deuterium-deuterium ions and deuterium-tritium ions occurs far easier than fusion of common hydrogen ions. Accordingly, use of "heavy" water (water rich in deuterium and/or tritium isotopes) will increase the number of deuterium/tritium ions absorbed into the cathode, and increase the likelihood of reaching nuclear fusion prior to blocking of the reaction.

As already stated, the apparatus of the present invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments. Description of the flow through a tubular cathode cell embodiment was preferred because of the relatively complex structure of the cell and the anticipated general application of this embodiment. Other flow through cells can be designed using the three electrode control structure and art disclosed in this patent which utilize cathode and double anode structures of various configurations and different materials. For example, the art can also be applied in vat and self contained modular design. It is an applicable improvement in electrolytic fusion cell designs using natural water, heavy water, and natural water containing enhanced proportions of heavy water. It is an applicable improvement in electrolytic fusion cell designs using other electrolyte materials in which the electrolysis process frees hydrogen ions for cathodic or anodic attraction and absoφtion. It is an applicable improvement in numerous embodiments of gas discharge fusion cell designs using the hydrogens, mixtures of the hydrogens, or other gasses in which the ionization process frees hydrogen ions for cathodic or anodic attraction and absoφtion. It is an applicable improvement to employ additional anodes to create current densities and overvoltage distributions on more than two surfaces of the cathode, providing the means to disrupt the equilibrium of hydrogen ion absoφtion in a more complex and varied manner.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in terms of a particular embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications, omissions, and changes may be made in structural configurations, ionization media, materials, and methods of manufacture, without departing in any way from the scope of the art taught in the disclosure of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

Claims I claim:

1. An apparatus for conducting controlled nuclear fusion comprising: a vessel defining a chamber; means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber; a cathode located within said vessel defining a chamber; a plurality of anodes located adjacent to said cathode; means to independently control the electrical input level applied to each of said plurality of anodes; and means to remove generated heat from said vessel defining a chamber.

2. The apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber comprises immersing said cathode and said plurality of anodes in an aqueous electrolyte, whereby hydrogen ions are produced within said vessel defining a chamber through electrolysis.

3. The apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said cathode is comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

4. The apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said cathode is comprised of a substrate of metal, ceramic material, or plastic material, and one or more layers of thin oveφlating on said substrate, said one or more layers of thin oveφlating being comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

5. The apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said cathode is comprised of a crystalline substrate, and one or more layers of thin epitaxial overgrowth on said crystalline substrate, said one or more layers of thin epitaxial overgrowth being comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

6. The apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein said cathode is treated using micro lithography, masking, or etching processes whereby pathways are provided for movement of absorbed hydrogen ions within the cathode.

7. The apparatus as in Claim 6 wherein said cathode is further comprised of semiconductor junctions located within said cathode to enhance the movement of absorbed hydrogen ions within the cathode.

8. An apparatus for conducting controlled nuclear fusion comprising: a vessel defining a chamber; means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber; a two-sided cathode located within said vessel defining a chamber; a first anode located adjacent one side of said two-sided cathode; a second anode located adjacent the side of said two-sided cathode not adjacent to said first anode; means to independently control the electrical input level applied to each of said first and said second anodes; and means to remove generated heat from said vessel defining a chamber.

9. The apparatus as in Claim 8 wherein said means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber comprises immersing said two-sided cathode and said first anode and said second anode in an aqueous electrolyte, whereby hydrogen ions are produced within said vessel defining a chamber through electrolysis.

10. The apparatus as in Claim 8 wherein said two-sided cathode is comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

11. The apparatus as in Claim 8 wherein said two-sided cathode is comprised of metal, ceramic material, or plastic material, having one or more layers of thin oveφlating on both of said two sides of said cathode, said one or more layers of thin oveφlating being comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

12. An apparatus for conducting controlled nuclear fusion comprising: a vessel defining a chamber; means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber; a cathode shaped in the form of a tube having inner and outer surfaces, said cathode being located within said vessel defining a chamber; a first anode located adjacent said inner surface of said cathode; a second anode located adjacent said outer surface of said cathode; means to independently control the electrical input level applied to each of said inner and said outer anodes; and means to remove generated heat from said vessel defining a chamber.

13. The apparatus as in Claim 12 wherein said means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber comprises immersing said cathode and said inner anode and said outer anode in an aqueous electrolyte, whereby hydrogen ions are produced within said vessel defining a chamber through electrolysis.

14. The apparatus as in Claim 12 wherein said cathode is comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

15. The apparatus as in Claim 12 wherein said cathode is comprised of metal, ceramic material, or plastic material, having one or more layers of thin oveφlating on both of said inner and outer surfaces of said cathode, said one or more layers of thin oveφlating being comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

16. The apparatus as in Claim 12 wherein said cathode is comprised of a crystalline substrate having one or more layers of thin epitaxial overgrowth on both of said inner and outer surfaces of said cathode, said one or more layers of thin epitaxial overgrowth being comprised of palladium, nickel, platinum, titanium, or alloys of palladium, nickel, platinum, or titanium.

17. The apparatus as in Claim 12 wherein said first anode and said second anode extend the full length of said cathode.

18. A method for using an apparatus for conducting controlled nuclear fusion, the apparatus including a vessel defining a chamber, means for introducing hydrogen ions into said vessel defining a chamber, a cathode located within said vessel defining a chamber, a plurality of anodes located adjacent to said cathode, means to independently control the electrical input level applied to each of said plurality of anodes, and means to remove generated heat from said vessel defining a chamber, said method comprising the steps of: introducing an aqueous electrolyte into the vessel; flowing electrical current from the plurality of anodes to the cathode; varying the level of electrical current flowing from one or more of the plurality of anodes to the cathode such that the distribution of absorbed charge within the cathode is disrupted; and removing the generated heat from the vessel.