CPC Definition - Subclass G21B

Last Updated Version: 2016.11
FUSION REACTORS (uncontrolled reactors G21J)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reactors in which energy release is caused by the controlled fusion of atomic nuclei, namely:

Thermonuclear fusion reactors.

Low-temperature nuclear fusion reactors, e.g. alleged cold fusion reactors.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Uncontrollable fusion reactions; applications thereof

G21J

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Controlled fission reactors

G21C

Generating plasma; Handling plasma

H05H 1/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Confinement

Controlled compression of fusion nuclei to overcome their electrostatic repulsion.

Fusion

Combination of two or more nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, a by-product of which is the release of energy.

Thermonuclear

Relating to fusion at high temperatures.

Thermonuclear fusion reactors
Definition statement

This place covers:

systems and components for producing energy by nuclear fusion reactions taking place in a thermonuclear plasma, in particular all parts related to the confinement, ignition and sustainment of the plasma.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Low-temperature fusion systems

G21B 3/00

Nuclear fission reactors

G21C

Investigating plasma

H05H 1/00

Generating plasma other than for nuclear fusion reactions

H05H 1/24, H01J 37/32

Special rules of classification

The general rule of classification in this subclass follows the IPC rules, i.e. the invention information is classified with an EC class.

Hybrid fission-fusion nuclear reactors
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reactors composed of nuclear fusion systems combined with nuclear fission systems, whereby neutrons generated by the fusion reactions are used for generating nuclear fission reactions.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Nuclear fission reactors

G21C

with inertial plasma confinement
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reactors in which nuclear fusion reactions are initiated by heating and compressing a fuel target, typically in the form of a pellet containing the nuclear fuel.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Target compression by charged particle beam

G21B 1/23

Target compression by laser

H05H 1/22

with magnetic or electric plasma confinement
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reactors in which nuclear fusion reactions take place between atomic nuclei of a nuclear fuel in a plasma state, whereby magnetic fields are used to confine the plasma and electromagnetic fields are used to ignite and sustain the plasma.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements for confining plasma

H05H 1/02

Closed loop vessels

H05H 1/12

Straight vessels

H05H 1/14

{reversed field configuration}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Reactors in which the plasma containment system comprises a chamber, a magnetic field generator for applying a magnetic field in a direction substantially along a principle axis, and an annular plasma layer that comprises a circulating beam of ions, wherein the internal magnetic field reverses direction.

media0.jpg

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements for confining plasma

H05H 1/02

Straight vessels

H05H 1/14

{Stellarators}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Closed-loop reactors in which the magnetic confinement is produced with a single coil system. As the helical twisting of field lines is achieved solely with external coils, the latter have to be twisted accordingly.

media1.jpg

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements for confining plasma

H05H 1/02

Closed loop vessels

H05H 1/12

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Torsatron

Stellarator with continuous helical coils

Heliotron

Stellarator with added poloidal field coils

Heliac

Stellarator in which the magnetic field forms a toroidal helix

Helias

Helical Advanced Stellarator

{Tokamaks}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Closed-loop reactors using magnetic fields to confine the plasma in the shape of a torus with a doughnut cross-section. A toroidal magnetic field is generated by electromagnets encircling the torus. A poloidal field is generated by a poloidal electric current that flows inside the plasma, this current being induced inside the plasma by a second set of electromagnets.

media2.jpg

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements for confining plasma

H05H 1/02

Closed loop vessels

H05H 1/12

Straight vessels

H05H 1/14

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

First wall, blanket, divertor

G21B 1/13

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

ITER

International Thermonuclear Reactor

JET

Joint European Torus

ASDEX

Axial Symmetric Divertor Experiment

Details
Definition statement

This place covers:

Specific components of the inertial and/or magnetic fusion confinement reactors and auxiliary systems associated, e.g. electromagnets.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Electrical components and details

G21B 1/21

Electromagnets in general

H01F 7/06

Magnets for particle accelerators

H05H 7/04

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Targets for producing thermonuclear reactions

G21B 1/19

Lasers for injection plasma heating

G21B 1/23

Details of closed-loop containment structures

H05H 1/12

{Tritium recovery}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for recovering the tritium generated in the blanket of a nuclear fusion reactor.

First wall; Blanket; Divertor
Definition statement

This place covers:

Details of the structural elements in contact with the plasma and/or affected by the fusion generated neutrons, and auxiliary systems associated, e.g. first wall cooling systems.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

FW

First wall

Particle injectors for producing thermonuclear fusion reactions, e.g. pellet injectors
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for injecting the nuclear fuel targets (e.g. pellets) into an inertial confinement reactor, and the nuclear fuel into the plasma in a magnetic confinement reactor.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Lasers and related optical systems for producing plasma by target irradiation

G21B 1/23

Vacuum chambers; Vacuum systems
Definition statement

This place covers:

The reactor vessel in which the fusion reactions take place, and the auxiliary systems associated, e.g. systems for creating the desired pressure conditions within the vessel.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Closed loop vessels

H05H 1/12

Straight vessels

H05H 1/14

Targets for producing thermonuclear fusion reactions, e.g. pellets for irradiation by laser or charged particle beams
Definition statement

This place covers:

Targets containing the nuclear fuel apt to generate nuclear fusion reactions under compression, e.g. pellets for irradiation by laser or charged particle beams.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Targets for producing nuclear reactions

H05H 6/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Lasers for target irradiation

G21B 1/23

Electric power supply systems, e.g. for magnet systems, switching devices, storage devices, circuit arrangements {(methods or means for discharging superconducting storage windings H01F 6/003)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

All the circuits and devices used in a nuclear fusion power plant for supplying energy to the plasma energizing systems.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Means for discharging superconducting storage windings

H01F 6/003

Systems for supplying RF to particle accelerators

H05H 7/02

Optical systems, e.g. for irradiating targets, for heating plasma or for plasma diagnostics
Definition statement

This place covers:

All the devices and systems used for irradiating fuel targets in an inertial confinement reactor (e.g. lasers), and the devices and systems using irradiation methods for measuring plasma parameters in nuclear fusion reactors.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Lasers in general

H01S

Arrangements for investigating plasma in systems other than nuclear fusion reactors

H05H 1/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Arrangements for sustaining plasma by injection heating in laboratory systems

H05H 1/22

Maintenance, e.g. repair or remote inspection
Definition statement

This place covers:

Auxiliary equipments used for the construction, inspection, maintenance and repair of systems and components of nuclear fusion power plants.

Low temperature nuclear fusion reactors, e.g. alleged cold fusion reactors
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and components for producing energy by nuclear reactions not involving the generation of a thermonuclear plasma, e.g. fusion reactions.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Conversion of elements by electromagnetic or particle irradiation

G21G 1/00

Radioactive sources

G21G 4/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Cold fusion

Nuclear (fusion) reactions taking place at ordinary temperatures

Thermonuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion reactions involving the generation of a plasma at extremely high temperatures(i.e. million degrees)

{Fusion by absorption in a matrix}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for inducing fusion of hydrogen isotopes by diffusion in a host matrix, or reactions of hydrogen isotopes with the nuclei of a host matrix at ordinary temperatures.

{Catalyzed fusion, e.g. muon-catalyzed fusion}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for inducing fusion of hydrogen isotope nuclei by using the catalyzing properties of muons in a hydrogen isotope environment.

{Fusion by impact, e.g. cluster/beam interaction, ion beam collisions, impact on a target}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for promoting nuclear fusion at ordinary temperatures using a beam of particles reacting with other particles or with a target.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Conversion of elements by electromagnetic or particle irradiation

G21G 1/00

{Fusion by pressure waves}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems and methods for promoting nuclear fusion of a (gaseous, liquid or solid) target by subjecting it to pressure or shock waves.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Sonoluminescence

H05H 1/2475