Background of the Invention

This invention relates to closed reciprocating engines, i.e., ones which do not require an air supply and do not emit exhaust gases, and more particularly to such engines which use inert gases as fuel. It also concerns such inert gas fuels and apparatus for preparing same.

Currently available internal combustion engines suffer from several disadvantages. They are inefficient in their utilization of the energy present in their fuels. The fuel itself is generally a petroleum derivative with an ever-increasing price and sometimes limited availability. And the burning of such fuel normally results in pollutants which are emitted into the atmosphere. These engines re¬ quire oxygen and, therefore, are particularly unsuitable in environments, such as underwater or outer space, in which gaseous oxygen is relatively unavailable. Present internal combustion engines are, furthermore, relatively complex with a great number of moving parts. Larger units, such as fossil-fuel electric power plants, escape some of the dis¬ advantages of the present internal combustion engine, but not, inter alia, those of pollution, price of fuel and availability of fuel. Several alternative energy sources have been pro¬ posed, such as the sun (through direct solar power de¬ vices) , nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. But because of lack of public acceptance, cost, other pollutants, techni¬ cal problems, and/or lack of development, these sources have not wholly solved the problem.

Moreover, the preparation of fuel for nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactors has heretofore been a complicated process requiring expensive apparatus.

Summary of the Invention

Among the several objects of the present inven¬ tion may be noted the provision of an engine which is ef¬ ficient; the provision of an engine which does not require frequent refueling; the provision of an engine which devel¬ ops no pollutants in operation; the provision of an engine which is particularly suited for use in environments devoid of free oxygen; the provision of an engine which requires no oxygen in operation; the provision of an engine having a relatively small number of moving parts; the provision of an engine of a relatively simple construction; the provi- sion of an engine which can be used in light and heavy-duty applications; the provision ^" of an engine which is rela¬ tively inexpensive to make and operate; the provision of a fuel which uses widely available components; the provision of a fuel which is relatively inexpensive; the provision of a fuel which is not a petroleum derivative; the provision of relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus for prepar¬ ing inert gases for use as a fuel; the provision of such apparatus which mixes inert gases in precise, predetermined ratios; and the provision of such apparatus which eli i- nates contaminants from the inert gas mixture. Other ob¬ jects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, in one aspect the engine of the present invention includes a head having a generally concave de- pression therein, the head defining one end of a chamber, a

piston having a generally se itoroidal depression in its upper surface, the piston defining the other end of the chamber, and a plurality of electrodes extending into the chamber for exciting and igniting the working fluid. The piston is axially movable with respect to the head from a first position to a second position and back, the volume of the chamber being determined by the position of the piston relative to the head.

In another aspect, the engine of the present in- vention includes a head which defines one end of the cham¬ ber, a piston which defines the other end of the chamber, a plurality of magnetic coils wound around the chamber for generating magnetic fields inside the chamber, and at least four electrodes extending into the chamber for exciting and igniting the working fluid. The piston is axially movable with respect to the head from a first position to a second position and back, the volume of the chamber being deter¬ mined by the position of the piston relative to the head. The magnetic coils are generally coaxial with the chamber. The electrodes are generally equidistantly spaced from the axis of the chamber and are each disosed generally 90° from the adjacent electrodes. Lines between opposed pairs of electrodes intersect generally on the axis of the chamber to define a focal point. In a further aspect, the engine of the present invention includes a head which defines one end of a cham¬ ber, a piston which defines the other end of the chamber, at least two electric coils wound around the chamber for generating magnetic fields inside the chamber, and a plu- rality of electrodes extending into the chamber for excit¬ ing and igniting the working fluid. The piston is axially movable with ^' respect to the head from a first position to a

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second position and bac , the volume of the chamber being determined by the position of the piston relative to the head. The electric coils are generally coaxial with the chamber. And the working fluid includes a mixture of inert gases.

The apparatus of the present invention for pre¬ paring a mixture of inert gases for use as a fuel includes a chamber, electric coils for generating predetermined mag¬ netic fields inside the chambe , tubing adapted to be con- nected to sources of preselected inert gases for flow of the gases from the sources to the chambe , and ionizers for ionizing the gases.

The fuel of the present invention includes a mixture of inert gases including approximately 36% helium, approximately 26% neon, approximately 17% argon, approxi¬ mately 13% krypton, and approximately 8% xenon by volume.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an engine of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of an engine of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a top plan of an engine of this inven¬ tion;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view generally along line 4—4 of Fig. 3 of an engine of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a cylinder of an engine of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan of the base of a cylinder head of an engine of this invention;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of an electrode rod of an engine of. this invention;

Fig. 8 is an elevation, with parts broken away, of one type of electrode used in an engine of this inven- tion;

Fig. 9 is a view taken generally along line 9—9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second type of electrode used in an engine of this invention; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig.

5 showing the piston in its uppermost position;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing an alternative cylinder used in an engine of this invention; Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view similar to

Figs. 5 and 12, but on a reduced scale and with parts broken away, showing an additional embodiment of a cylinder head used in an engine of this invention;

Figs. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams of the electrical circuitry for an engine of this invention;

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an alternative high-voltage ignition system for an engine of this inven¬ tion;

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of an electronic switching unit for an engine of this invention;

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a regulator/ electronic switching unit for an engine of this invention; Figs. 17A - 17D are schematic diagrams of a fuel mixer of the present invention; Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the mixing chamber portion of the fuel mixer shown in Figs. 17A - 17D;

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Figs. 19A - 19E are schematic diagrams of a por¬ tion of the electrical circuitry of the fuel mixer shown in Figs. 17A - 17D;

Figs. 20A - 20F are schematic diagrams of the rest of the electrical circuitry of the fuel mixer shown in Figs. 17A - 17D.

Corresponding reference characters indicate cor¬ responding parts throughout the several views of the draw¬ ings.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 a two-cylinder engine 11 comprising a block 13 preferably of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, a nonmagnetic head 15, and a pair of cylinder heads 17A and 17B of a ag- netizable material such as 0.1 - 0.3% carbon steel. Also shown in Fig. 1 is a flywheel 19 attached to a crankshaft 21, a generator 23, a high-voltage coil 25, a distributor 27 attached by a gear arrangement shown in part at 29 to the crankshaft, and an electrical cable 31 which is con- nected to the distributor and to both cylinders. Cable 31 (see Fig. 2) is also electrically connected to a switching unit 33 which preferably comprises a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) or transistors. Also shown in Fig. 2 is a second electrical connection of the cable to the cylinders, which connection is indicated generally at 35. Turning to Fig. 3, there is shown a starter motor 37 as well as a clearer view of the connections 35 to each cylinder .

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A cross section of the engine is shown in Fig. 4. The cylinder heads have associated therewith pistons, designated 39A and 39B, respectively, the heads and pistons defining opposite ends of a pair of ^" chambers or cylinders 41A and 41B respectively. The pistons are made of a mag¬ netizable material. Although only two chambers are shown, the engine can include any number. It is preferred, how¬ ever, for reasons set forth below, that there be an even number of cylinders. Pistons 39A and 39B move axially with respect to their corresponding heads from a first position (the position of piston 39A in Fig. 4) to a second position (the position of piston 39B) and back, each piston being suitably connected to crankshaft 21. As shown in Fig. 4, this suitable connection can include a connecting rod CR, a wrist pin WP, and a lower piston portion or power piston LP. The connecting rods and/or power pistons must be of non agnetizable material. When a split piston is used, pistons 39A and 39B are suitably connected to lower piston portions LP by bolting, spring-loaded press fitting, or the like. Pistons 39A and 39B are attached 180° apart from each other with respect to the crankshaft so that when one piston is at top dead center (TDC) the other will be at bottom dead center (BDC) and vice versa. Additional pairs of cylinders may be added as desired but the pistons of each pair should be attached to the crankshaft 180° from each other. Of course, the relative position of. each pis¬ ton with respect to its respective head determines the vol¬ ume of its chamber.

Integral with the piston bodies are walls 43 which form the walls of the chambers. Preferably, a set of air-tight bellows 45, of similar construction to that sold under the designation ME 197-0009-001 by the Belfab Company

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of Daytona Beach, Florida, are suitably secured between walls 43 and cylinder heads 17A and 17B respectively to form an airtight seal between each piston and its cylinder head. While walls 43 and piston 39 can be made of one mag- netizable piece, a preferable and more efficient construc¬ tion has walls 43 separate from piston 39 and made of a nonmagnetizable material. The length of time that a given engine will run is a function of the efficacy of its seal¬ ing system. Means, such as bellows 45, for hermetically sealing the cylinders will optimize said length of time.

Such a hermetic seal should- be secured between walls 43 and cylinder heads 17 to form an airtight seal therebetween. This seal could be the airtight bellows system shown or some other sealing system such as an oil sealing system. Cylinder bodies 47 (see Fig. 4) , made of nonmag¬ netic material such as stainless steel, extend from the point of attachment of each bellows to its cylinder head to the base of the corresponding pistons, forming sleeves for each piston in which each piston moves. Three sets of electric coils 49A, 49B, 51A, 51B, and 53A, 53B, are wound around sleeves 47, and hence around chambers 41A and 41B, respectively, for generating magnetic fields in the cham¬ bers, said coils being generally coaxial with their respec¬ tive chambers. Each of these coils has an inductance of approximately 100 mH. It is preferred that 14-19 gauge wire be used to wind these coils and that the coils be coated with a -suitable coating, such as #9615 hardener from Furane Plastics, Inc., of Los Angeles, California or the coating sold by the Epoxylite Corp. of South El Monte, California under the trade designation Epoxylite 8683. Each chamber is also surrounded by a pair of capacitors, CIA, C1B and C2A, C2B wound therearound, capacitors CIA, C1B having a capacitance of approximately 1.3 micro-F and

capacitors C2A, C2B having a capacitance of approximately 2.2 micro-F. The coils and capacitors are potted in hard¬ ened epoxy or fiberglass material 55. The epoxy resin and hardener sold under the designations EPI Bond 121 and #9615 hardener by Furane Plastics, supra, are satisfactory, but other epoxy material which will remain stable at tempera¬ tures up to 200°F. would probably also be acceptable. It is preferred that a small amount of graphite such as that sold under the trade designation Asbury 225 by Asbury Graphite, Inc. of Rodeo, California, be included in the epoxy potting to prevent nuclear particles formed in the chamber from escaping from the apparatus. Ten to 15% graphite to epoxy by weight is more than enough.

A typical cylinder is shown in section in Fig. 5, showing the piston in its fully extended position with re¬ spect to the head and showing many details on a somewhat larger scale than that of Fig. 4. A set of seals 57, made of a material such as that sold under the trade designation Teflon by the DuPont Company of Delaware, is disposed be- tween the cylinder head and wall 43 to prevent escape of the working fluid from chamber 41. A filler tube 59 with a ball valve at its lower end is used in filling the chamber with the working fluid but is closed during operation of the engine. The cylinder head has a generally concave depres¬ sion therein, indicated at 61, which defines the top end of the chamber. A plurality of electrodes for exciting and igniting the working fluid extend through the cylinder head into the chamber. Two of those electrodes, shown in sec- tion in Fig. 5 and labelled 63 and 65, have tungsten points 75 (see infra), while the other two, labelled 67 and 69 (see Fig. 6 for electrode 69) are containers called, re¬ spectively, the anode and the cathode. The electrodes are

generally equidistantly spaced from the axes of their cham¬ bers and are generally coplanar to each other , their mutual plane being perpendicular to the axes of their chambers. Each electrode is disposed 90° from adjacent electrodes in this embodiment and are generally disposed such that a line from the anode to the cathode and a line between the other two electrodes intersect at a focal point generally on the axis of the respective chamber. The radial distance of each electrode from the focal point is fixed for a reason discussed below. The general construction of electrodes 63 and 65 is shown in Figs. 6-9. These electrodes include a conductive rod 71 (see Fig. 7) preferably of brass or cop¬ per; a conductive, generally rectangular plate 73 (see Figs. 6, 8 and 9); and tungsten point 75 mounted in a con- ductive base 77 generally at right angles to the plate (see Figs. 8 and 9) .

The construction of the anode and cathode is shown in Fig. 10. Each includes a conductive rod 79 and a container 81-. The cathode container is substantially pure aluminum. If desired, aluminum alloys with, e.g., less than 5% copper, 1% manganese and 2% magnesium may be used. In one embodiment, the cathode container contains approxi¬ mately four grams of thorium-232 and is filled with argon. In this same embodiment the anode container is copper or brass and contains approximately two grams of rubidium-37 and approximately three grams of phosphorus-15 hermetically sealed in mineral oil. In a second embodiment, the cathode is still aluminum, but it contains at least two grams of rubidium-37 in addition to the approximately four grams of thorium-232 in either -argon or mineral oil. In this second embodiment, the anode is also aluminum and contains at least 4 grams of phosphorus-15 and at least 2 grams of

thorium-232 in argon or mineral oil. Alternatively, meso- thorium may be used for the thorium, strontium-38 may be used for the rubidium, and sulfur-16 may be used for the phosphorus. Rods 71 and 79 respectively extend through cylinder head 17 to the exterior thereof where electrical connections are made to the electrodes. Each rod is sur¬ rounded by one of four insulating sleeves 83, the lower portion of each of which being flared outwardly to firmly seat in the cylinder head. The piston has a generally semitoroidal depres¬ sion in its upper surface (see Figs. 4, 5 and 11) and car¬ ries a conductive discharge point 85 of copper, brass or bronze generally along the axis of the chamber. When the piston is generally extended, the discharge point is a sub- stantial distance from the electrodes. But when the piston is in its upper position (see Fig. 11) , the discharge point is disposed generally intermediate all four electrodes and in close proximity thereto, there being gaps between said electrodes and the discharge point. When the piston is in this upper position, the electrodes extend somewhat into the semitoroidal depression in the piston's upper surface and the chamber is generally toroidal in shape. The volume of the chamber shown in Fig. 11 can be from approximately 6.0 cubic inches (100 cm3) or larger. Given the present state of the art, 1500 cubic inches (25,000 cm3) appears to be the upper limit. A plurality of ports 87 and one-way valves 89 return working fluid which escapes from the cham¬ ber back thereto, so long as a sealing system such as bel¬ lows 45 is used. An alternative cylinder head/piston arrangement is shown in Fig. 12. The main difference between this ar¬ rangement and that of Fig. 5 is that the chamber walls,

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here labelled 43' are integrally formed with the head. As a result seals 57 are carried by the piston rather than by the head , the attachment of bellows 45 is somewhat differ¬ ent, and the fluid-returning valves and ports are part of the piston rather than of the head. Otherwise these ar¬ rangements are substantially the same. Preferably, the cylinders of both arrangements are hermetically sealed.

An additional embodiment of a cylinder head/ piston arrangement used in the present invention is shown in Fig. 12A. In this arrangement, a tapered sleeve 17C is disposed in mating relation between cylinder head 17 and piston 39, a plurality of seals 57 are provided, and elec¬ trodes 67 and 69 have a somewhat different shape. More¬ over, in this embodiment a chamber 90 is provided in cylin- der head 17 for storing additional working fluid, i.e., the purpose of chamber 90 is to extend the operating time be¬ tween refueling by circulating the working fluid, viz. the- mixture of inert gases described infra, between cylinder 41 and chamber 90 as needed so that the reactions in cylinder 41 are not adversely affected. To accomplish this, this embodiment further includes a two-way circulation valve 90B, a relief valve 90C, and duct or passageway 90D for evacuating and filling chamber 90, a duct or passageway 90E for evacuating and filling cylinder 41, a passageway 90F between chamber 90 and cylinder 41 in which two-way valve 90B is disposed, a sensor 90G and a plurality of small pressure relief holes 90H. Relief holes 90H serve to re¬ lieve the pressure on bellows 45 as the piston moves from BDC to TDC. In larger engines holes 90H should be replaced with one way valves. Two-way valve 90B is either con¬ trolled by sensor 90G or is manually operable, as desired, to allow the circulation of gases between chamber 90 and

cylinder 41. The sensor itself detects a condition requir¬ ing the opening or closing of valve 90B and signals that condition to the valve. For example, sensor 90G can meas¬ ure pressure in cylinder 41 while the piston is at top dead center. A predetermined cylinder pressure can cause a spring to compress, causing the valve to open or close as appropriate. A subsequent change in the cylinder pressure would then cause another change in the valve. Another sen¬ sor (not shown) could measure the physical location of the piston by a physical trip switch or an electric eye, or it could measure angular distance from top dead center on the distributor or the crankshaft. The sensor must keep the gas pressure in chamber 90 at one atmosphere + 5% and, at top dead center , cylinder 41 should also be at that pres- sure. If gas is lost from the system, it is more important to maintain the proper pressure in cylinder 41. Alterna¬ tively, a small passage between cylinder 41 and chamber 90 could function in a passive manner to satisfactorily ac¬ complish the same result. From the above, it can be seen that this embodiment utilizes the hollowed out center of the cylinder head for storing additional working fluid, which fluid is circulated between chamber 90 and cylinder 41 through a valving system comprising valve 90B and sensor 90G with the moving piston causing the gases to circulate. The electrical circuitry for engine 11 includes

(see Fig. 13A) a 24 V battery Bl, an ignition switch SW1, a starter switch SW2, starter motor 37, a main circuit switch SW4, a step-down transformer 93 (e.g., a 24 V to 3.5 V transformer) , a switch SW6 for supplying power to ignition coil 25 (shown in Figs. 13A and 13B as two separate igni¬ tion coils 25A and 25B) , and various decoupling diodes.

The circuitry of Fig. 13A also includes a high frequency voltage source or oscillator 95 for supplying rapidly varying voltage through two electronic current reg¬ ulators 97A, 97B (see Fig. 13B for regulator 97B) to the anode and cathode electrodes of each cylinder, and a high voltage distributor 99 for distributing 40,000 volt pulses to the cylinders. Distributor 99 has two wipers 99A and 99B and supplies three pulses to each cylinder per cycle. Wipers 99A and 99B are 180° out of phase with each other and each operates to supply pulses to its respective cylin¬ der from TDC to 120° thereafter. More pulses are desirable and therefore a better distributor arrangement (shown in Fig. 14) may be used. The arrangement shown in Fig. 14 in¬ cludes ^* two ignition coils 101, 103, a simple distributor 105 and a pair of magnetic ignition circuits 107, 109, de¬ scribed below. Of course many other ignition systems could also be developed. For example, a single circuit might be used in place of circuits 107, 109, additional induction coils might be added to the ignition coils to assist in starting or a resistor could be added to the ignition coils to ensure a constant 40,000 volt output regardless of en¬ gine rpm. Moreover, a solid-state distributor could be used instead of the mechanical distributor labelled 99.

Referring back to Fig. 13A, for engines of more than 1000 hp a high frequency source 95 could be used to control engine RPM. The output frequency is controlled by a foot pedal similar to an accelerator pedal in a conven¬ tional automobile. The output frequency varies through a range of from approximately 2.057 MHz to approximately 27.120 MHz with an output current of approximately 8.4

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amps. The speed of engine 11 is controlled by the output frequency of source 95. The high frequency current, as de¬ scribed infra, is directed to each cylinder in turn by cir¬ cuitry described infra. For engines producing from 300 to 1000 hp (not shown) , a high frequency source having a con¬ stant output of 27.120 MHz with a constant current of 3.4 amps which is continually supplied to all cylinders could be used. In this case an autotransfσrmer , such as that sold under the trade designation Variac by the General Radio Company, controlled by a foot pedal varies the volt¬ age to each cylinder from 5 to 24 volts d.c. at 4.5 amps, using power from the batteries or the alternator. The d.c. current from the Variac is switched from cylinder to cylin¬ der by two.small electronic switching units which in turn are controlled by larger electronic switching units. For the smallest engines (not shown) , a high frequency genera¬ tor could supply a constant output of 27.120 ^' MHz with a constant current of 4.2 amps to the cylinders during start¬ ing only. Speed control would be achieved by a Variac as described above which controls the d.c. voltage supplied to the cylinders in turn within a range of from 5 to 24 volts at a current of 5.2 amps. In this case, once the engine is running, the full voltage needed to ignite the (smaller) quantity of gases is obtained from the electrodes in the other cylinder of the pair .

The circuitry of Fig. 13A also includes the gen¬ erator, a voltage regulator and relay 111, five electronic switching units 113, 115, 117, 119 and 121, electrodes 63 and 65 associated with chamber 41A (hereinafter chamber 41A is sometimes referred to as the "A ^π cylinder and chamber - 41B is sometimes referred to as the "B" cylinder) , anode 67, cathode 69, magnetic coils 49A, 51A and 53A, capacitors

CIA and C2A, and various decoupling diodes. The electronic switching units can take a variety of forms. For example, one simple form (see Fig. 15) includes a pair of SCRs 123 and 125. The switching unit is connected at terminal IN to the corresponding line on the input side and at terminal OUT to the corresponding line on the output side. When a voltage of 3.5 volts is supplied from the battery through a distributor, for example, to the ON terminal, SCR 125 con¬ ducts, thereby completing a circuit through the switching unit. Conversely, when 3.5 volts is applied to the OFF terminal, SCR 123 conducts and the circuit is broken. Likewise, the circuit for regulators 97A and 97B (see Fig. 16) includes two SCRs 127 and 129 and a PNP transistor 131. In this circuit when SCR 127 is gated on, it forces transistor 131 into conduction, thereby completing the cir¬ cuit through the regulator. When SCR 129 is gated on, the circuit through transistor 131 is broken. A number of other configurations may be used in place of those of Figs.. 15 and 16 and not all would use SCRs. For example, one triode could be used to replace two main SCRs, or transis¬ tors could be used instead of SCRs.

A pair of low-voltage distributors 135 and 137 are also shown in Fig. 13A. Distributors 135 and 137 pro¬ vide gating pulses for the electronic switching units of Figs. 13A and 13B. Of course, solid-state distributors could also replace mechanical distributors 135 and 137.

In addition, the engine circuitry includes (see Fig. 13B) five electronic switching units 143, 145, 147, 149 and 151 corresponding to units 113, 115, 117, 119 and 121 of Fig. 13A, electrodes 63 and 65 of the "B" cylinder _r anode 67, cathode 69, electric coils 49B, 51B and 53B, ca¬ pacitors C1B and C2B, and various decoupling diodes. The

circuitry of Fig. 13B is generally the same as the corre¬ sponding portions of Fig. 13A, so the description of one for the most part applies to both. Of course, if more than two cylinders are used, each would have associated there- with circuitry such as that shown in Figs. 13A and 13B.

The circuitry of Fig. 13A is connected to that of Fig. 13B by a plurality of lines LI - L17.

The working fluid and the fuel for the engine are one and the same and consist of a mixture of inert gases, which mixture consists essentially of helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon. It is preferred that the mixture con¬ tain 35.6% helium, 26.3% neon, 19.9% argon, 12.7% krypton, and 8.5% xenon by volume, it having been calculated that this particular mixture gives the maximum operation time without refueling. Generally, the initial mixture may con¬ tain, by volume, approximately 36% helium, approximately 26% neon, approximately 17% argon, approximately 13% kryp¬ ton, and approximately 8% xenon. This mixture results from a calculation that equalizes the total charge for each of the gases used after compensating for the fact that one in¬ ert gas, viz. radon, is not used. The foregoing is con¬ firmed by a spectroscopic flashing, described infra, that occurs during the mixing proces.s. If one of the gases in the mixture has less than the prescribed percentage, it will become over-excited. Similarly, if one of the gases has more than the prescribed percentage, that gas will be under-excited. These percentages do not vary with the size of the cylinder.

Operation of the engine is as follows: At room temperature, each cylinder is filled with a one atmosphere charge of the fuel mixture of approximately 6 cubic inches (100 cm3)/cylinder (in the case of the- smallest engine)

by means of filler tube 59. The filler tubes are then plugged and the cylinders are installed in the engine as shown in Fig. 4, one piston being in the fully extended po¬ sition and the other being in the fully retracted posi- tion. To start the engine, the ignition and starter switches are closed, as is switch SW6. This causes the starter motor to crank the engine, which in turn causes the wiper arms of the distributors to rotate. The starting process begins, for example, when the pistons are in the positions shown in Fig. 4. Ignition coil 25 and distribu¬ tor 99 (see Fig. 13 ) generate a 40,000 volt pulse which is supplied to electrode 65 of chamber 41A. Therefore, a mom¬ entary high potential exists between electrodes 63 and 65 and the plates on each. The discharge point on piston 39A is adjacent these electrodes at this time and sparks occur between one or more of the electrodes and the discharge point to partially excite the gaseous fuel mixture.

The gaseous fuel mixture in cylinder 41A is fur¬ ther excited by magnetic fields set up in the chamber by coil 49A. This coil is connected to the output side of electronic switching unit 121 and, through switching unit 113, to the battery and the generator. At this time, i.e., between approximately 5° before TDC and TDC, distributor 135 is supplying a gating signal to unit 121. Any current present on the input side of unit 121, therefore, passes through unit 121 to energize coil 49A. Moreover, high fre¬ quency current from oscillator 95 is supplied via regulator 97A to coil 49A. This current passes through regulator and relay 97A because the gating signal supplied from distribu- tor 135 to unit 121 is also supplied to relay 97A. The current from switching unit 121 and from oscillator 95 also is supplied to the anode and the cathode. It is calculated

that this causes radioactive rays (x-rays) to flow between the anode and the cathode, thereby further exciting the gaseous mixture.

As the starter motor continues cranking, piston 39A begins moving downward, piston 39B begins moving up¬ ward, and the wiper arms of the distributors rotate. (Needless to say, a solid-state distributor would not ro¬ tate. The distributor could utilize photo cells, either light or reflected light, rather than contact points.) Af- ter 45° of rotation, distributor 135 supplies a gating pulse to electronic switching unit 119, thereby completing a circuit through unit 119. The input to unit 119 is con¬ nected to the same lines that supply current to coil 49A. The completion of the circuit through unit 119, therefore, causes coil 51A to be energized in the same manner as coil 49A. After an additional 45° of rotation, distributor 135 gates on electronic switching unit 117 which completes a circuit to the same lines. The output terminal of unit 117 is connected to coil 53A, and so this coil is energized when unit 117 is gated on. All three coils of the "A" cyl¬ inder remain energized and, therefore, generating magnetic fields in chamber 41A until piston 39A reaches BDC.

As piston 39A moves from TDC to BDC, two addi¬ tional 40,000 volt pulses (for a total of three) are sup- plied from distributor 99 to the "A" cylinder. These pulses are spaced approximately 60° apart. If more pulses are desired, the apparatus shown in Fig. 14 may be used. In that case, the solenoids indicated generally at 107A, 107B and 109A, 109B are energized to create a number of rapid, high-voltage pulses which are supplied as indicated in Fig. 14 to the cylinders, distributor 105 operating to supply pulses to only one of the pair of cylinders at a time.

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As piston 39A reaches BDC, distributor 135 sends a pulse to the OFF terminals of electronic switching units 121, 117 and 119, respectively, causing all three coils 49 , 51A and 53A to be deenergized. At about the same time, i.e., between approximately 5° prior to TDC and TDC for piston 39B, distributor 137 supplies a gating pulse to the ON terminals of electronic switching units 113 and 115. The power inputs to units 113 and 115 come from the generator through regulator 111 and from the battery, and the outputs are directly connected to coils 49A and 53A. Therefore, when units 113 and 115 are gated on, coils 49A and 53A are reenergized. But in this part of the cycle, the coils are energized with the opposite polarity, causing a reversal in the magnetic field in chamber 41A. Note that coil 51A is not energized at all during this portion of the cycle. Capacitors CIA and C2A are also charged during the BDC to TDC portion of the cycle. (During the TDC to BDC portion of the cycle, these capacitors are charged and/or discharged by the same currents as are supplied to the an- ode and cathode since they are directly connected thereto.) As piston 39A moves upward, electrodes 63 and 65 serve as pick-up points in order to conduct some of the current out of chamber 41A, this current being generated by the excited gases in the chamber. Said current is trans- ferred via line L7 to electronic switching unit 151. The same gating pulse which gated on units 113 and 115 was also supplied from distributor 137 via line L12 to gate on switching unit 151, so the current from the electrodes of chamber 41A passes through unit 151 to the anode, cathode and capacitors of chamber 41B, as well as through switching units 147 and 149 to coils 49B, 51B and 53B. Thus it can be seen that electricity generated in one cylinder during a

portion of the cycle is transferred to the other cylinder to assist in the excitation of the gaseous mixture in the latter. Note that this electricity is regulated to main¬ tain a constant in-engine current. It should be noted that twenty four volts from the generator is always present on electrodes 63 and 65 during operation to provide for pre- excitement of the gases.

From the above it can be seen that distributors 135 and 137 in conjunction with electronic switching units 113, 115, 117, 119, 121, 143, 145, 147, 149 and 151 consti¬ tute means for individually energizing coils 49A, 49B, 51A, 51B, 53A and 53B. More particularly they constitute means operable to energize all the coils of a given cylinder from the other cylinder when the first cylinder's piston is mov- ing from TDC to BDC and operable to energize only two

(i.e., less than all) of the coils from the alternator when that piston is moving from BDC to TDC. Additionally, these components constitute means for energizing the coils with a given polarity when the piston of that cylinder is moving from TDC to BDC and for energizing the first and third coils with the opposite polarity when that piston is moving from BDC to TDC.

As can also be seen, switching units 121 and 151 together with distributors 135 and 137 constitute means for closing a circuit for flow of current from chamber 41A to chamber 41B during the BDC to TDC portion of the cycle of chamber 41A and for closing a circuit for flow of current from chamber 41B to chamber 41A during the TDC to BDC por¬ tion of the cycle of chamber 41A. Oscillator 95 consti- tutes means for supplying a time varying electrical voltage to the electrodes of each cylinder, and oscillator 95, dis¬ tributors 135 and 137, and regulators 97A and 97B together

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constitute means for supplying the time varying voltage during a predetermined portion of the cycle of each pis¬ ton. Moreover, distributor 99 together with ignition coils 25A and 25B constitute means for supplying high voltage pulses to the cylinders at predetermined times during the cycle of each piston.

The cycle of piston 39B is exactly the same as that of piston 39A except for the 180° phase difference. For each cylinder, it is calculated that the excitation as described above causes the gases to separate into layers, the lowest atomic weight gas in the mixture, namely helium, being disposed generally in the center of each chamber, neon forming the next layer , and so on until we reach xenon which is in physical contact with the chamber walls. The input current (power) to do this is the calculated poten¬ tial of the gas mixture. Since helium is located in the center of the chambe , the focal point of the electrode discharges and the discharges between the anode and cathode is in the helium layer when the piston is near TDC. As the piston moves slightly below TDC, the electrons from elec¬ trodes 63 and 65 will no longer strike the tip of the pis¬ ton, but rather will intersect in the center of the cylin¬ der (this is called "focal point electron and particle col¬ lision") as will the alpha, beta and gamma rays from the anode and cathode. Of course, the helium is in this exact spot and is heavily ionized at that time. It is calculated that as a result of all the aforementioned interactions, an ignition discharge occurs in which the helium splits into hydrogen in a volume not larger than 2 or 3 times 10~6 cubic millimeters at a temperature of approximately

100,000,000°F. Of course this temperature is confined to a very small space and the layering of the gases insulates

the cylinder walls therefrom. Such heat excites adjacent helium such that a plasma occurs. Consequently, there is a minute fusion reaction in the helium consisting of the en¬ ergy conversion of a single helium atom, which releases sufficient energy to drive the piston in that chamber to¬ ward BDC with a force similar in magnitude to that gener¬ ated in a cylinder of a conventional internal combustion engine. Electrodes 63 and 65 extend into the argon layer while each piston is in its BDC to TDC stroke so as to pick up some of the current flowing in that layer. It may take a cycle or two for the gases in the cylinders to become sufficiently excited for ignition to occur.

Once ignition does occur, the electrical opera¬ tion of the engine continues as before, less the operation of the starter motor. Distributor 99 supplies three pulses per cycle (or more if the magnetic ignition system of Fig. 14 is used) to each cylinder; and distributors 135 and 137 continue to supply "on" and "off" gating pulses to the electronic switching units. The rpm of the engine is, as explained above, governed by the frequency of the current from oscillator 95 (or in the case of smaller horsepower units, by the dc voltage supplied to the cylinders from the aforementioned Variac) .

Because of the minute amount of fuel consumed in each cycle, it is calculated that a cylinder can run at

1200 rpm approximately 1000 hours, if not more, on a single charge of gas. Note that even at 1200 rpm, there will be intense heat occurring only 0.002% of the time. This means that input power need be applied only sporadically. And this power can be supplied to a cylinder from the other cylinder of its pair by means of electronic switching units which, in the case of SCRs, are themselves triggered by low

voltage (e.g. 3.5V) current. Thus, since electrical power generated in one cylinder is used to excite the gases in the other cylinder of a pai , it is practical that the cyl¬ inders be paired as discussed above. Condensers are, of course, used to store such energy for use during the proper portion of the cycle of each cylinder.

From the above, it should be appreciated that the engine of this invention has several advantages over pres¬ ently proposed fusion reactors, such as smaller size, lower energy requirements, etc. But what are the bases of these advantages? For one, presently proposed fusion reactors use hydrogen and its isotopes as a fuel instead of inert gases. Presumably this is because hydrogen requires less excitement power. While this is true, the input power that is required in order to make hydrogen reactors operate makes the excitation power almost insignificant. For ex¬ ample, to keep a hydrogen reactor from short circuiting, the hydrogen gas has to be separated from the reactor walls while it is in the plasma state. This separation is accom- plished by the maintenance of a near vacuum in the reactor and by the concentration of the gas in the center of the reactor (typically a toroid) by a continuous, intense mag¬ netic field. Accordingly, separation requires a large amount of input energy. In the present invention, on the other hand, the greater excitation energy of the fuel is more than compen¬ sated for by the fact that the input energy for operation can be minimized by manipulation of the unique characteris¬ tics of the inert gases. First, helium is the inert gas ^* used for fusion in the present invention. The helium JLs primarily isolated from the walls of the container by the layering of the other inert gases, which layering is caused

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by the different excitation potential (because of the dif¬ ferent atomic weights) of the different inert gases, said excitation being caused by the action of the electrodes, anode and cathode in a magnetic field. This excitation 5 causes the gases each to be excited in inverse proportion to their atomic numbers, the lighter gases being excited correspondingly more. Helium, therefore, forms the central core with the other four gases forming layers, in order, around the helium. The helium is secondarily isolated from 10 the walls of the container by a modest vacuum (in compari¬ son to the vacuum in hydrogen reactors) which is caused partially by the "choking" effect of the coils and par¬ tially by the enlargement of the combustion chamber as the piston moves from TDC to BDC. (Unexcited, the gases are at 15 one atmosphere at TDC.) Second, argon, the middle gas of the five, is a good electrical conductor and becomes an ex¬ cellent conductor when (as explained infra) it is polarized during the mixing process. By placing the electrodes such that they are in the argon layer, electrical energy can be 20 tapped from one cylinder for use in the other. During a piston's movement from BDC to TDC, the gases are caused to circulate in the cylinder by the change in the polarity of the coils, which occurs at BDC. During such circulation, the gases remain layered, causing the argon atoms to be 25 relatively close to each other, thereby optimizing the con¬ ductivity of the argon. This conductivity optimization is further enhanced by a mild choking effect that is due to the magnetic fields. The circulation of the highly conduc¬ tive argon results in a continuous cutting of the magnetic 30. lines of force so that the current flows through the elec¬ trodes. This production of electricity is similar to the rotating copper wire cutting the magnetic lines of force in

a conventional generator except that the rotating copper wire is replaced by the rotating, highly conductive argon. The amount of electricity that can be produced in this man¬ ner is a function of how many magnetic field lines are available to be cut. If one of the coils, or all three of the coils or two adjacent coils were energized, there would be only one field with electricity produced at each end. By energizing the top and the bottom coil, two separate fields are produced, with electricity produced at four points. A five coil system, if there were sufficient space, would produce three fields with the top, bottom and middle coils energized. Six points for electricity produc¬ tion would result. The number of coils that can be in¬ stalled on a given cylinder is a function of space limita- tions. The recombination of gas atoms during the BDC to TDC phase causes the radiation of electrical energy which also provides a minor portion of the electricity that the electrode picks up. Additional non-grounded electrodes in each cylinder would result in more electricity being tapped off. It should be noted that during the BDC to TDC phase, the anode and the cathode are also in the argon layer and, like the electrodes, they pick up electricity, which charges the capacitors around the cylinder. Third, inert gases remain a mixture and do not combine because of the completeness of the electron shells. They are therefore well suited to a cycle whereby they are continually organ¬ ized and reorganized. Fourth, as the helium atoms are con¬ sumed, the other gases have the capacity to absorb the charge of the consumed gas so that the total charge of the mixture remains the same.

The second basis of these advantages of the pres¬ ent engine over proposed fusion reactors concerns the fact that hydrogen reactors develop heat which generates steam to turn turbines in order to generate electrical power. This requires tremendous input energy on a continuous bas- is. The present invention operates on a closed cycle, utilizing pistons and a crankshaft which does not require a continuous plasma but rather an infrequent, short duration (10 ^~ 6 second) plasma that therefore requires much less input energy. In the present invention, a plasma lasting longer than 10 ^~< *> second is not necessary because suffi¬ cient pressure is generated in that time to turn the en¬ gine. A plasma of longer duration could damage the engine if the heat were sufficiently intense to be transmitted through the inert gas layers to the cylinder walls. A sim¬ ilar heat buildup in the engine can occur if the repetition rate is increased. Such an increase can be used to in¬ crease the horsepower per engine size but at the cost of adding a cooling system, using more expensive engine compo- nents, and increasing fuel consumption. Note that even though layers of inert gases insulate the cylinder walls, there might be some slight increase in the temperature of the gas layers after a number of cycles, i.e., after a num¬ ber of ignitions. Whereas hydrogen fusion reactors cannot directly produce power by driving a piston (because of the required vacuum) , the present invention uses the layered inert gases to transmit the power from the plasma to each gas in turn until the power is applied to a piston, which can easily be translated into rotary motion. ^* The layered gases ^* also --

cushion the piston from the full force of the ignition. Moreover, the fields inside the cylinder undergoing expan¬ sion cause the gases to shrink, thereby taking up some of the pressure generated by the explosion and preventing rup- turing of the cylinder walls.

Turning now to Figs. 17A - 17D, there is shown apparatus 201 for preparing the fuel mixture for engine 11. For convenience apparatus 201 is called a mixer al¬ though it should be understood that the apparatus not only mixes the gases which form the fuel but also performs many other vital functions as well. The five constituent inert gases are introduced in precise, predetermined propor¬ tions. The mixer extracts, filters and neutralizes the non-inert gases and other contaminants which may be found in the gas mixture. It also increases the potential capac¬ ity of gas atoms, discharges the krypton and xenon gases, polarizes the argon gases, ionizes the gases in a manner such that the ionization is maintained until the gas has been utilized and otherwise prepares them for use as a fuel in engine 11. In particular, the mixer makes the gases easier to excite during operation of the engine. Mixing does not mean an atomic or molecular combination or unifi¬ cation of gases because inert gases cannot chemically com¬ bine, in general, due to the completeness of the outer shell of electrons. During mixing, the various gases form a homogeneous mixture. The mixing of the five inert gases in apparatus 201 is somewhat analogous to preparing a five part liquid chemical mixture by titration. In such a mix¬ ture, the proportions of the different chemicals are accu- rately determined by visually observing-the-end point of each reaction during titration. In apparatus 201, a visi¬ ble, spectroscopic flash of light accompanies the desired

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end point of the introduction of each new gas as it reaches its proper, precalculated proportion. (Each gas has its own distinctive, characteristic, spectroscopic display.) The ends points are theoretically calculated and are deter- mined ^* by pre-set voltages on each of a group of ionizing heads, described infra, in the apparatus.

Mixer 201 includes (see Fig. 17A) an intake port, indicated generally at 203, which during operation is con¬ nected to a source 205 of helium gas, a gauge 206, glass tubing 207 comprising a plurality of branches B10 - B25 for flow of the gases through the mixer, a plurality of valves VI - Vll in the branches, which valves may be opened or closed as necessary, three gas reservoirs 209, 211 and 213 for storing small quantities of helium, argon and neon gas respectively,, an ionizing and filtering unit 215 for fil¬ tering undesired non-inert gases and contaminants out of the fuel mixture, for regulating the gas atom electron charge and to absorb the free flowing electrons, a gas flow circulation pump 217, two ionizing heads 219 and 221, and three quality control and exhaust valves V12 - V14. The mixer also comprises (see Fig. 17B) a high frequency dis¬ charge tube 225, a nondirected cathode ray tube 227, two more ionizing heads 229 and 231, two additional gas reser¬ voirs 233 and 235 for storing small quantites of xenon and krypton, a quadruple magnetic coil 237, a plurality of valves V15 - V24, valves V23 and V24 being quality control and exhaust valves, and a plurality of additional glass, tubing branches B26 - B32.

Turning, to Fig. 17C, mixer 201 also includes ad- ditional ionizing heads 239, 240 and 241, additional valves V25 - V46, V39A and V40A, valves V29 and V32 being quality control and exhaust valves and valve V39A being a check

valve, a vacuum and pressure gauge 242 between valves V35 and V36, tubing branches B34 - B49 (branch B39 consisting of two parts B39A and B39B) , a pair of intake ports 243 and 245 which during operation are connected to sources 247 and 249 of argon and neon gas respectively, gauges 250A and

250B, a spark chamber 251, a.hydrogen and oxygen retention chamber 253 containing No. 650 steel dust in a silk filter, an ion gauge 255 (which can be an RG 75K type Ion Gauge from Glass Instruments, Inc. of Pasadena, California) for removing excess inert gases from the mixture, inner and outer coils of glass tubing 257 and 259 surrounding a mix¬ ing chamber 261, a focused x-ray tube 263 for subjecting the mixture flowing therethrough to 15 - 20 millirem alpha radiation and 120 - 125 millirem beta radiation, a directed cathode ray tube 265, two twin parallel magnetic coils 266 and 267, and a focusing magnetic coil 269. It is important that coils 266 and 267 be immediately adjacent mixing cham¬ ber 261. . And (see Fig. 17D) the mixer also comprises three more ionizing heads 271, 273 and 275, two entry ports 277 and 279 which during operation are connected to sources 281 and 283 of krypton and xenon respectively, gauges 284A and 284B, a high frequency discharge tube 285, a twin parallel magnetic coil 287 surrounding a polarizer 289 for polariz¬ ing the argon, said polarizer containing fine steel parti- cles which are polarized by coils 287 and which in turn po¬ larize argon, a second hydrogen retention chamber 291, a pair of tubing branches B50 and B51, two filters 293 and 295 and a plurality of valves V47 - V59, valves V57 and V59 being quality control and exhaust valves. Inner and outer glass tubing coils 257 and 259 and mixing chamber 261 are shown in cross section in Fig. 18. Intermediate glass coils 257 and 259 are two magnetic

coils 297 and 299 having an inductance of approximately 130 niH. A yoke coil 301 is semicircularly disposed around mix¬ ing chamber 261. Inside mixing chamber 261 are located a pair of screens 303 and 305, insulators 307 and 309, and a pair of spark gaps indicated generally at 311 and 313. A high frequency amplitude modulated source provides 120 V ac, 60 Hz, 8.4 amp, 560 watt, 27,120 to 40,000 MHz + 160 KHz current via heavily insulated wires 315 and 317 to the chamber. These wires are about twelve gauge, like those used as spark plug wires on internal combustion engines. Additionally 95 V direct current is supplied thereto via a smaller (e.g. sixteen to eighteen gauge) insulated wire 319. As described below, the gases to be mixed and pre¬ pared flow through chamber 261 and are suitably treated therein by the action of the various fields present in the chamber .

The magnetic coils, ionization heads, and pump 217, along with the required electrical interconnections, are schematically shown in Figs. 19A - 19E. More particu- larly, heads 239 and 241 are shown in Fig. 19A, as is pump 217. Each ionizing head has two electrodes with a gap therebetween to cause ionization of gases flowing through said head, the electrodes being connected to a source of electrical power. Pump 217 is directly connected to a source of power (either a.c. or d.c. as required by the particular pump being used) . The connections between the circuitry on Fig. 19A and that on Fig. 19B are shown as a plug 321, it being understood that this plug represents a suitable one-to-one connection between the lines of Fig. 19A and tlose of Fig. 19B. -

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The r emaining ionizing heads and all the magnetic coils are shown in Fig . 19B. For clarity , the coils are shown in an unconventional form . Quadr uple coil 237 (shown at the top of Fig . 19B) has one side of each winding con- nected in commo but the other sides are connected to dif¬ ferent lines . Coil 223 consists of two windings in paral¬ lel . Coils 297 and 299 , the ones around the mixing cham¬ ber , are shown overlapping , it being understood that coil 297 is actually interior of coil 299. Yoke coil 301 , as shown , extends half-way from the bottom to the top of coils 297 and 299. Twin parallel magnetic coils 267 are con¬ nected in parallel with each other , both sides of focusing coil 269 being connected to one node of coils 267. Like¬ wise coils 287 are connected in parallel. The connections between the lines of Figs . 19B and those of Figs . 19C and 19D are shown as plugs 323 and 325 , although other suitable one-to-one connections could certainly be made . Fig. 19C shows the interconnecting lines between Figs . 19B and 19E. A plug 327 or other sui table one-to-one connections con- nects the lines of Figs . 19C and 19 Ξ.

A plurality of power sources , like the above- mentioned Variacs , of suitable voltages and currents as well as a plurality of relays 329 , and plugs 331 are shown on Figs . 19D and 19Ξ. The connections between these two Figs , is shown as a plug 333. It should be appreciated that the Variacs can be adj usted by the operator as neces¬ sary to supply the desired voltages to the aforementioned coils and ionizing heads . It should also be realized that the desired relays can be closed or opened as needed by connecting or disconnecting the two parts of the corre- . sponding plug 331. That is , by use of plugs 331 , the oper¬ ator can control the ener gizing of the ioni zing heads arid

magnetic coils as desired. Plugs 331 are also an aid in checking to ensure that each component is in operating con¬ dition just prior to its use. Of course, the manipulation of the power sources and the relays need not be performed manually; it could be automated.

The remaining circuitry for the mixer is shown on Figs. 20A-20F. For convenience, plugs 335, 337, 339, 341, 343, 345 and 347 are shown as connecting the circuitry shown in the various Figs., although other suitable one-to- one connections may be used. The chassis of the apparatus is shown on these Figs, in phantom and is grounded. The power supply for the apparatus is shown in part on Figs. 20A and 20D and includes an input 349 (see Fig. 20D) which is connected to 120 V, 60Hz power during operation and an input 351 which is connected to the aforementioned high frequency generator or some other suitable source of ap¬ proximately 27,120 MHz current. The power supply includes a pair of tuners 353, numerous RLC circuits, a triode 355, a pentode 357 with a ZnS screen, a variable transformer 359, an input control 361, a second variable transformer

363 (see Fig. 20A) which together with a filter 365 forms a 2.0 volts (peak-to-peak) power supply 367, a pentode 369, a variable transformer 371, and a resistor network indicated generally at 373. Exemplary voltages in the power supply during operation are as follows: The anode of triode 355 is at 145 V, the control grid at 135 V and the cathode at -25 V. The voltage at the top of the right-hand winding of transformer 359 is -5 V. The anode of pentode 357 is at 143 V, the top grid is grounded (as is the ZnS screen) , the bottom grid is connected to transformer 359, and the con¬ trol electrode is at 143 V. The input to supply 367 is 143 volts ac while its output, as stated above, is 2 V (peak- to-peak) . The anode of pentode 369 is at 60 V, the grids

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at -1.5 V, the control electrode at 130 V, and the cathode is substantially at ground. And the output of resistor network 373, labelled 375, is at 45 V.

Also shown on Fig. 20D is spark chamber 251. Spark chamber 251 includes a small amount of thorium, in¬ dicated at 377, and a plurality of parallel brass plates 379. When the gases in the mixer reach the proper ioniza¬ tion, the alpha particles emitted by the thorium shown up as flashes of light in the spark chamber. Turning now to Fig. 20B, ionizing and filtering unit 215 includes a pair of conductive supports 381 for a plurality of conductors 383, said supports and conductors being connected to a voltage source, an insulative support 385 for additional conductors 387, and a ZnS screen 388 which emits light when impurities are removed from the gas¬ eous fuel mixture. Unit 215 also includes a second set of interleaved conductors indicated generally at 389, a cold- cathode tube 391, and an x-ray tube indicated generally at 393. Also shown on Fig. 20B is an RLC network 395 which has an output on a line 397 which is at 35 V, this voltage being supplied to the x-ray tube.

High frequency discharge tube 225 (see Fig. 20C) has a conductive electrode 399 at one end to which high frequency current is applied to excite the gases in the mixer, and an electrode/heater arrangement 401 at the oth¬ er, a voltage of 45 V being applied to an input 402 of said tube. It is desirable that a small quantity of mercury, indicated at 403, be included in tube 225 to promote dis¬ charge of the helium gas. Magnetic coils 237 have disposed therein a pair of generally parallel conductors 405 to which a high frequency signal is applied. When gas flows through coils 237 and between parallel conductors 405,

therefore, it is subjected to the combination of a DC mag¬ netic field from the coil and high frequency waves from the conductors, which conductors act as transmitting antennas. The resulting high frequency magnetic field causes the atoms to become unstable, which allows the engine to change a given atom's quantum level with much less input power than would normally be required. The volume of each gas atom will also be smaller. Also shown on Fig. 20C is non- directed cathode ray tube 227. The grids of tube 227 are at 145 V, the control electrode is at ground, while the an¬ ode is at 35 V to 80 V (peak-to-peak) . The purpose of non- directed cathode ray tube 227 is to add photons to the gas mixture. To generate these photons, tube 227 has a two layer ZnS coating indicated generally at 407. Chamber 261, described above, is also shown schematically on Fig. 20C, along with an RLC network 409.

The power supply for the mixer (see the lower halves of Figs. 20E and 20F) also includes two pentodes 411 and 413, a transformer 415, and a diode tube 417. The con- trol electrode of pentode 411 is at 5 V to 40 V (peak-to- peak) , the grids are at 145 V, the anode is at 100 V, and the cathode is at 8 V to 30 V (peak-to-peak) . The control electrode of pentode 413 is at 115 V, while its grids and cathode are at -33 V. The anode of tube 413 is connected to transformer 415. Also shown on Fig. 20E are a relay 419 associated with ion gauge 255, and focused x-ray tube 263 associated with ionization head 240. The upper input to tube 263 is at 45 V to 80 V (peak-to-peak).

Turning to Fig. 20F, there is shown tubes 265 and 285. Directed cathode ray tube 265 is a pentode connected like tube 227. High frequency discharge tube 285 includes a phosphor screen and is connected to a high frequency

source. Also shown on Fig. 20F is a triode 421 with its anode at 30 V, its cathode at ground, and its control grid at -60 V; a pentode 423 with its anode at 135 V to 1000 V peak-to-peak, its cathode at ground, its control electrode at 143 V, its grids at 20 V; and a transformer 425. It should be understood that various arrangements of electri¬ cal components other than those described above could be designed to perform the same functions.

The operation of the mixer is best understood with reference to Figs. 17A-17D and is as follows: Before and during operation, the mixer, and particularly chamber 261 is kept hermetically sealed and evacuated. To begin the mixing process, helium is admitted into the mixer via intake port 203. Then a vacuum is again drawn, by a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to valve V38, to flush the cham¬ ber. This flushing is repeated several times to completely cleanse the tubing ^' branches of the mixer. The mixer is now ready. The ionization heads next to mixing chamber 261 are connected to a voltage corresponding to approximately 36% of the calculated total ionizing voltage, dc current is al¬ lowed to flow through magnetic coils 297 and 299 around chamber 261, and high frequency current is allowed to pass through the mixing chamber. Helium is then slowly ad¬ mitted, via port 203, into the mixer. From port 203, the helium passes through ionization head 219 into glass tubing coil 259. This glass coil, being outside magnetic coils 297 and 299, is in the diverging portion of a magnetic field. The helium slowly flowing through glass coil 259 is gently excited. From coil 259, the helium flows through branch B45 to ionization head 275 and from there, via branch B28, to ionization head 229 (see Fig. 17B) . From head 229, the gas flows through non-directed cathode ray

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tube 227 to high-frequency discharger 225. The high fre¬ quency discharger 225, with heating element, discharges, separates or completely neutralizes the charge of any radi¬ oactive and/or cosmic particles that are in the helium atom in addition to the protons, neutrons and electrons. The gas exits discharger 225 via branch B26 and passes to high- frequency discharger 285. The high frequency discharger 285, without heating element, disturbs the frequency of os¬ cillation which binds the gas atoms together. This pre- pares the helium atoms so that the electrons can more eas¬ ily be split from the nucleus during the excitation and ig¬ nition process in the engine. Discharger 285 includes a phosphorus screen or deposit (similar to the coating on a cathode ray tube) which makes discharges in the tube visi- ble. From discharger 285, the helium passes through di¬ rected cathode ray tube 265 and focused x-ray tube 263. Directed cathode ray tube 265 produces cathode rays which oscillate back and forth longitudinally underneath and along the gas carrying tu.be. Thereafter the helium passes successively through branch B21, ionization head 221, branch B23, twin parallel magnetic coil 266, and branch B25 into mixing chamber 261. Helium flows slowly into and through apparatus 201. The helium atoms become ionized as a result of excitation by magnetic force, high frequency vibrations and charge acquired from the ionization heads. When sufficient helium has entered the apparatus, the ioni¬ zation energy (which is approximately 36% of the total) is totally absorbed. A spectroscopic flash of light in the mixing chamber signals that the precise , proper quantity of helium has been allowed to enter . The entry of helium is then immediately halted by the closing of valve V3.

The next step in preparing the fuel is to add neon to the mixture. The potential on the relevant ioniza¬ tion heads, particularly head 241 (see Fig. 17C) , is raised by the addition of approximately 26% which results in a total of approximately 62% of the total calculated poten¬ tial and valve V31 is opened, thereby allowing neon to slowly enter the mixer via port 245. This gas passes through branch B36, ionization head 241, and branch B35 di¬ rectly into the mixing chamber. Since the previously ad- mitted helium is fully charged, the neon absorbs all of the increased ionization potential. As soon as the neon ac¬ quires the additional charge, a spectroscopic flash of light occurs and the operator closes valve V31.

In the same manner , the potential on the ioniza- tion heads is increased by the addition of approximately 17% for a total of approximately 79% of the total calcu¬ lated potential and then valve V30 is opened to admit argon into the mixer via port 243. This gas passes through branch B34, ionization head 239, and branch B33 into mixing chamber 261. Again, when the proper amount of argon has been admitted, it emits a spectroscopic flash of light and the operator closes valve V30. Next, the potential on the ionization heads is increased by the addition of approxi¬ mately 13% to result in a total of approximately 92% of the total calculated potential and valve V58 (see Fig. 17D) is opened to admit krypton into the system. The krypton gas passes through branch B51, ionization head 271 and branch B48 into chamber 261. Upon the emission of a spectroscopic flash of light by the gas, the operator closes valve V58. Finally, the potential on the ionization heads is increased by the addition of approximately 8% which brings the ioni¬ zation potential to the full 100% of the calculated ioniza¬ tion voltage and valve V56 is opened to admit xenon into

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the mixer via port 279. This gas passes through branch B50, ionization head 273 and branch B47 to the mixing cham¬ ber. When the proper amount of gas has been admitted, a spectroscopic flash of light occurs signalling the operator to close valve V56. Note that there are two filter/ ab¬ sorber units, labelled 253 and 291. Unit 253 is connected to the neon and argon in-let branches B33 and B35 while unit 291 is connected to the krypton and xenon inlet branches B47 and B48. These two units absorb hydrogen residue and immobilize the water vapor created when the pump circulates the gases and generates vacuum states.

After all the gases are admitted in the desired proportions, all the valves are closed. (The mixture in the mixing chamber and in the adjacent tubing is at one at- mosphere pressure at this time.) Once this is done, the internal valves of the system are all opened (but the inlet and outlet valves remain closed) to allow the mixture to circulate throughout the tubing as follows: branch B44, magnetic coils 267 and 269, ionization head 240, branch B29, ionization head 231, branch B24, ionization head 2Ϊ9, pump 217, branches B15 and B39A, ionization gauge 255, branches B38 and B42, ionization head 275, branch B28, ion¬ ization head 229, non-directed cathode ray tube 227, quad¬ ruple magnetic coil 272, ionization head 221, branch B23, twin parallel magnetic coil 266, branch B25 and mixing chamber 261. When this circuit is initially opened, the pressure of the mixture drops 40-50% because some of the tubing had previously been under vacuum. Pump 217 is then started to cause the gases to be slowly and evenly mixed. Because of dead space in the tubing and the reac¬ tion time of the operator , it may occur that the propor¬ tions of the gases are not exactly those set forth above.

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This is remedied during the circulation step. As the gas flows through ionization gauge 255, excess gas is removed from the mixture so that the correct proportions are ob¬ tained. To do this the grid of gauge 255 is subjected to 100% ionization energy and is heated to approximately

165°F. This temperature, 165°F is related to xenon's boil¬ ing point of -165°F in magnitude but is opposite in sign. Xenon is the heaviest of the five inert gases in the mix¬ ture. As the gas mixture flows through ionization gauge 255, the gas atoms that are in excess of their prescribed percentages are burned out of the mixture and their charge is acquired by the remaining gas atoms from the grid of the ionization gauge. Because the gases are under a partial vacuum, the ionization gauge is able to adjust the gas per- centages very precisely. (Note: The steps described in the last two paragraphs are repeated if the finished gases are rejected in the final quality control step described infra.)

The next step involves purifying the mixture so that only the five inert gases remain, absorbing any free electrons and regulating the electrical charge in the mix¬ ture. To do this, the circuit consisting of the following components is opened: Branch B44, magnetic coil 267, mag¬ netic coil 269, ionization head 240, branch B29, ionization head 231, branch B24, ionization head 219, pump 217, branches B15 and B39, magnetic coil 287 (see Fig. 17D) po¬ larizer 289, branch B17, ionizing and filtering unit 215, branches B16, B42, and B41, x-ray tube 263, branch B21, ionization head 221, branch B23, magnetic coil 266, branch ^" B25, and mixing chamber 261. The gases should complete this circuit at least three times.

The last step required to prepare the mixture for bottling is polarization of the argon. The circuit re¬ quired to do this consists of the following components: mixing chamber 261, branch B44, magnetic coil 267, magnetic coil 269, ionization head 240, cathode ray tube 265, branch B40, tubing coil 257, branches B49 and B30, ionization head 231, branch B24, ionization head 219, pump 217, branches B15 and B39, twin parallel magnetic coil 287 (see Fig. 17D) , polarizer 289, branch B17, ionizing and filtering unit 215, branches B16, B42 and B20, ionization head 229, cathode ray tube 227, magnetic coil 237, ionization head 221, branch B23 and magnetic coil 266. This too is re¬ peated at least three times. The key to the polarization of argon is polarizer 289 and twin parallel magnetic coil 287 that encircles it. Polarizer 289 is a glass bottle which is filled with finely powdered soft iron which can be easily magnetized. The filled bottle is, in effect, the iron core of the coils. The iron particles align them¬ selves with the magnetic lines of force, which lines rad- iate from the center toward the north and south poles. The ionized gas mixture is forced through the magnetized iron powder by means of pump pressure and vacuum, thereby polar¬ izing the argon gas. Filters 293 and 295 are disposed as shown in order to filter metallic particles out of the gas.

The mixture is now double-checked by means of spark chamber 251 at atmospheric pressure since the fusion reaction in the engine is started at one atmosphere. Be¬ cause the gases in mixing apparatus 201 are at a partial vacuum, sufficient gases must be pumped into spark chamber 251 to attain atmospheric pressure. To do this valves V33, V36 and V40A are closed and circulating pump 217 pumps the

gases in the mixing apparatus via branches B15 and B39A, through check valve V39A into spark chamber 251 until the vacuum and pressure gauge 242 indicates that the gases within spark chamber 251 are at atmospheric pressure. Valve V34 is then closed. The spark chamber is similar to a cloud chamber. Six or more high capacity brass capacitor plates are spaced 1/8" to 1/4" apart in the chamber. A small plastic container holds the thorium 232. One side of the chamber is equipped with a thick glass window through which spar s in the chamber may be observed. A potential is placed on the brass plates in the chamber and the cur¬ rent flowing between the plates is measured. If this cur¬ rent exactly corresponds to the ionization current, the mixture is acceptable. A difference of greater than 5% is not acceptable. A lesser difference can be corrected by recirculating the gas in the mixer and particularly through ionization gauge 255 as previously described in the circu¬ lation step. A second test is then given the gases that pass the first test. A calculated high frequency current is gradually imposed on the spark chamber capacitor plates. This excitation causes neutrons to be emitted from the thorium 232 which, if the mixture is satisfactory, can be easily seen as a thin thread of light in the chamber. If the mixture is not satisfactory, light discharges cannot be seen and the high frequency circuit will short out and turn off before the desired frequency is reached.

To bottle the .mixture , valve V33 is opened and valves V36- and V40 are closed. During bottling polarizer 289, twin parallel magnetic coil 287, ionization unit 215 and ion gauge 255 are electrically energized (all electri¬ cal circuits are previously deenergized) to improve the stability of the mixture. The prepared gases are withdrawn

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from the mixing apparatus via branches B24 and B16, ioniza¬ tion unit 215, branch B17, filters 293 and 295, polarizer 289, twin parallel magnetic coil 287, branch B39, ion gauge 255, check valve V39A, branch B38 and spark chamber 251. If desired, after bottling the mixer may be exhausted by opening valves V12, V13, V14, V23, V24, V29, V32, V57 and V59. Of course, one can also automate the fuel preparation process to be continuous so that it would never be neces- sary to exhaust the gas. In operation of mixing apparatus 201, certain operational factors must be considered. For one, no elec¬ trical devices can be on without the pump being in opera¬ tion because an electrical device that is on can damage ad¬ jacent gas that is not circulating. For another, it should be noted that directed cathode ray tube 265, non-directed cathode ray tube 227 and focused x-ray tube 263 serve dif¬ ferent functions at different points in the mixing proc¬ ess. In one mode, they provide hot cathode radiation, which can occur only in a vacuum. When gases are flowing through these devices, they provide a cold cathode dis¬ charge. For example, during argon polarization and the circulation step, focused x-ray tube 263 is under vacuum and affects the gases flowing through ionization head 240 by way of hot cathode radiation. During the introduction of the different gases into mixing apparatus 201 and during the recirculation step, the gases are flowing through fo¬ cused x-ray tube 263, which affects the gases by way of a cold cathode discharge.

It is preferred that each switchable electrical component in mixing apparatus 201 be wired into a ^* separate ^{* *} circuit despite the fact that one of the poles of each could be commonly wired. In a common ground circuit if one

device is turned on , all of the other units may also turn on because the gases in the device are conductive . In ad¬ dition , if one unit on a common circuit were ener gized with high frequency cur -rent , the others would also be af- fected. In the same vein , the high frequency current can¬ not be used when the cathode ray tubes , the x-ray tubes or the dischar gers are heated and under vacuum because the heater filaments will burn out .

Finally , the current source , the variable recti- fiers and the electrical measuring instruments must be lo¬ cated more than ten feet from mixing apparatus 201 because the high frequency current is harmful to the rectifiers , causing them to burn out or short out .

It is hoped that a brief summary of the concepts used by the inventor in developing the above invention will be helpful to the reader , it being understood that this summary is in no way intended to limit the claims which follow or to affect their validity. The first concept is that of using an inert gas mixture at approximately one at- mosphere at TDC (at ignition) as a fuel in a thermonuclear energy production process . The second concept is the layer¬ ing of the var ious inert gases , which layering is designed to confine the input energy in the innermost layers during pre-excitement and ignition , to provide thermal insulation for the container walls during and after ignition , to transmit power resulting from the ignition through the lay¬ ers in turn to the piston , to absorb the pressure generated during ignition to protect the cylinder walls , and to pro¬ vide an orderly , predictable positioning of the ar gon layer during the BDC to TDC portion of the engine cycle . The

third concept of this invention involves utilizing electric current produced in one cylinder of a pair to perform func¬ tions in the other cylinder of that pair . This concept in¬ cludes the sub-concepts of generating electric current by atomic recombination and of electric generation in place resulting from the rotation of layered inert gases within each cylinder because of the changed polarity of the en¬ circling coils at BDC, from judicious placement of coils which produce magnetic field lines which are cut by a near perfect conductor (polarized ar gon) , and f rom movement of said near perfect conductor through the magnetic field .

The fourth and f if th concepts of this invention are the transformation of rapid , intense , but short dura¬ tion thermonuclear reactions into pressure that is trans- mitted from inert gas to inert gas until it creates linear kinetic energy at the piston , which ener gy i s converted in¬ to rotary kinetic energy by a crankshaft , and the use of a shaft-dr iven generator to provide power to spaced f ield coils during the BDC to TDC por tion of the cycle of each cylinder .

The sixth concept concerns adequate preexci te ent of the inert gas f uel and more particularly • involves the sub-concepts of pre-exciting the fuel in the mixing proc¬ ess , of manipulation of the currents in the coils surround- ing each cylinder , of dischar ging the capacitors surround¬ ing each cylinder at predetermined times in the cycles , of causing a stream of electrical particles to flow between electrodes and a conductive dischar ge point on the piston , of emitting alpha , beta and gamma rays from an anode and a cathode containing low level radioactive material to the piston' s dischar ge point , of accelerating the alpha , beta and gamma rays by the application' of a high voltage field .

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and of situating capacitor plates 90 degrees from the anode and cathode to slow and reflect neutrons generated during ignition. The seventh concept involves the provision of a minute, pellet-type fission ignition, the heat from which causes a minute fusion as the result of the ignition cham¬ ber shape and arrangement, as a result of the collision of the alpha, beta and gamma rays and the electrical particles at a focal point in conjunction with the discharge of the capacitors that surround the cylinder through the elec- trodes, and as a result of increasing the magnetic field in the direction of the movement of each piston.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other ad¬ vantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above methods, constructions and products without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the ac¬ companying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

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