US 12,219,686 B2
Electrode configuration for extended plasma confinement
Eric T. Meier, Seattle, WA (US); Brian A. Nelson, Edmonds, WA (US); and Uri Shumlak, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to Zap Energy, Inc., Everett, WA (US)
Filed by ZAP ENERGY, INC., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed on May 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/827,396.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/194,877, filed on May 28, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/194,866, filed on May 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0392651 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. H05H 1/06 (2006.01); G21B 1/05 (2006.01); G21B 1/21 (2006.01); H05H 1/54 (2006.01)
CPC H05H 1/06 (2013.01) [G21B 1/05 (2013.01); G21B 1/21 (2013.01); H05H 1/54 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device, comprising:
a first electrode positioned to define an outer boundary of an acceleration volume;
a second electrode arranged coaxially with respect to the first electrode and positioned to define an inner boundary of the acceleration volume;
at least one power supply to drive an electric current along a Z-pinch plasma column between the first and second electrodes; and
a set of valves to provide gas to the acceleration volume to fuel the Z-pinch plasma column,
wherein the electric current flows in a first direction from the second electrode to the first electrode.