GB832270A - Improvements in or relating to gas discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

832,270. Nuclear fusion reactors UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. June 19, 1958 [June 20, 1957], No. 19513/57. Class 39(4). A thermonuclear reactor comprises a toroidal vessel within which a gaseous ring discharge is induced by a primary winding confining a conducting toroid divided into a plurality of sectors electrically insulated from one another, each sector being fed substantially simultaneously with a pulse from an electrical energy source. In Fig. 1 a gas-tight toroidal vessel 1 of insulating material is enveloped in a primary winding forming a toroid divided into six sectors 2a-2# electrically insulated from each other and provided with flanges 3 at their ends. Each sector is connected on the load of a transmission line pulse forming circuit. For example, sector 2a is connected in the circuit comprising transmission lines 4a, 5a, the outer conductors of which are earthed and the inner conductors of which are connected respectively to the flanges 3 at each end of the sector. The lines are initially charged through a resistance 6a and discharged by firing a spark gap 7a, the six spark gaps of the six sector circuits being fired simultaneously. Each sector can alternatively be energised from a separate condenser through a separate spark gap, or, Fig. 3 (not shown) a single condenser can be used and connection taken to the flanges through a single spark gap. Specifications 826,071 and 830,252 are referred to.