Patents – Ernest
Orlando Lawrence
(1950 1956) Lawrence Page ·
Resources with Additional Information · Lawrence
Honored
· Cyclotrons · Patents
(19571960)
US 2,530,169 ELECTRONIC REGULATOR – Lawrence, E. O.; Schmidt, F. H.; Waithman,
V. B.; Nov 14, 1950 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission)
Top
The patent describes an electronic regulator
and protector circuit for a device having a filamentary cathode and a bombardment-heated
cathode to automatically extinguish an arc formed between the two cathodes
and simultaneously regulate the arc current between the bombardment-heated
cathode and an arc block.
US 2,709,222 METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS – Lawrence, E. O.; May 24, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) The design and method of operation are described
for a device known as the calutron useful in effecting macro-scale separation
or enrichment of isotopes by electromagnetic means. Among other things the
patent describes apparatus and a method of operation whereby it is possible
to operate with ion beam currents many thousands of times greater than in any
mass spectrograph. Space charge effects and the spreading of particle velocities
are overcome by operating in a critical pressure range of about 10-4 to 10-5
mm. of mercury, and maintaining the potential of the beam with respect to the
walls at a low value.
US 2,713,641 CALUTRON STRUCTURE – Lawrence, E. O.; Wright, B. T.; Jul 19, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) An improved method is presented for adjusting
the relationship between the accelerating electrode and the exit slit in the
ion source in an electromagnetic type of isotope separating apparatus. The
operation of a calutron can be improved by having the accelerating electrode
offset laterally slightly with respect to the exit slit in the ion source.
The adjustment is made in the amount of offset by bodily rotating the ion source
itself on trunnions. This adjustment is accomplished by means of push rods
which cause the ion source to be tilted so that the exit end is accurately
adjusted. This eliminates the need for making adjustments in the electrodes
themselves so that the gap setting will not be disturbed, and the necessity
of adjusting a component at a high potential is obviated since the ion source
units are grounded.
US 2,714,664 CALUTRONS – Lawrence, E. O.; Aug 2, 1995 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) The patent relates to a calutron comprising
a plurality of ion sources arranged to transmit a corresponding plurality of
ion beams in an evacuated tank space so disposed in a substantially regular
pattern in the tank and arranged to transmit a corresponding plurality of substantially
regularly disposed ion beams within the evacuated tank space.
US 2,715,682 ION SOURCE FOR CALUTRONS – Lawrence, E. O.; Aug 16, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) An ion source for a calutron has been
modified so that the total number o electrical leads is reduced. This
is accomplished by providing an E shaped cathode comprised of a back
portion with three legs projecting therefrom. The back portion of the
cathode is located adjacent an arc block comprised of individual arc
chambers in such a manner that electrons are emitted into the various
chambers from different sections of the back portion of the E shaped
cathode. current is supplied to each of the aforesaid legs of the cathode
for heating the back portion to an electron emitting temperature and
control means are connected to the three legs so that the electron
emission from each section of the back portion may be regulated. In
this manner one cathode is made to serve a plurality of arc chambers.
(auth)
US 2,721,272 CALUTRONS – Lawrence, E. O.; Oct 18, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) The track assembly of a calutron is composed
of a plurality of substantially fluid-type tanks, magnetic field structure
associated with these tanks and arranged to set up a magnetic field therethrough,
a header associated with the tanks together with valve means for selectively
connecting the tanks to the header, means for evacuating the header, a plurality
of transmitters disposed in the tanks for transmitting a plurality of ion beams
through the magnetic field, and a plurality of receivers disposed in the tanks
to receive the ion beams. By this arrangement of the tanks and magnetic cores
great economy of space is realized; the isotope separating capacity is increased
in the order of 16 times that of a conventional calutron although the overall
dimensions and the vacuum pumping equipment are only somewhat larger; and the
common equipment ay be operated continuously in spite of the fact that one
or more of the individual tanks may be removed from operation for adjustment
or repair. (auth)
US 2,726,805 ION PUMP – Lawrence, E. O. ; Foster, J. S. Jr.; Dec 13, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) Large volumes of gas at very low pressures can
be electromagnetically pumped by ionizing the gas and causing the ions to move
to a remote position where they are neutralized and retained. The ions are
formed by introducing the gas into the central portion of a space containing
an elongated magnetically collimated arc discharge where they are created at
the center of the arc discharge and urged toward the ends of the arc by virtue
of the potential gradient which exists. The ions are then collected at the
ends of the arc by the cathodes in such a manner that any gas not retained
diffuses back into the arc wherein it is again re-ionized and returned to the
cathodes. The pump of this design has a very high pumping speed and is capable
of attaining a vacuum of 10-7 mm of mercury. (auth)
US 2,727,150 CALUTRONS – Lawrence, E. O.; Dec 13, 1955 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A calutron transmitter having an ion source
at high positive potential with respect to the calutron tank is modified to
minimize the high voltage current drain to reduce wear and erosion of the electrodes.
This is achieved by minimizing the volume of the electric field surrounding
the ion source in which electron oscillation may occur, thereby reducing the
total path traversed by the oscillating electrons and thus decreasing the overall
ionization through the gaseous region immediately surrounding the ion source.
The structure for accomplishing this is comprised of an electric shield surrounding
the ion source having a concavity formed in opposing walls thereof, a second
electric source and having a pair of opposing fins extending therefrom into
the concavity and substantially normal to the magnetic field. (auth)
US 2,733,349 CALUTRON – Lawrence, E. O. et al; Jan 31, 1956 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) An electromagnetic device is utilized for moving
mechanical elements back and forth between predetermined positions in a calutron.
Heretofore, during focusing of a calutron ion beam on the viewing face of a
receiver, a suitable door mounted on the receiver is closed in order to avoid
contaminating the pocket or pockets of the receiver. This was accomplished
by mechanical linkages which required an air seal where they passed through
the walls of the tank so as to enable remote operation from the exterior of
the tank. By providing a mechanism disposed within a calutron tank and adapted
to make an auxiliary electrodynamic or electromagnetic use of the magnetic
field in the tank for opening and closing the aforesaid doors, the need for
such exteriorly operated mechanical linkage is eliminated. (auth)
US 2,737,799 CONDENSABLE VAPOR EXTRACTION APPARATUS – Lawrence, E. O.; Mar 13, 1956 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A devise has been developed for obtaining a
very high vacuum in a large tank. The pumping out operation is considerably
expedited when the vacuum pump is augmented by a condensable vapor extraction
trap. This trap, containing a coolant such as liquid air or liquid nitrogen,
located in the tank condenses out much of the contained vapor, thereby substantially
halving the time required for pumping out. Heretofore, these traps containing
the condensed vapors have remained in the tank necessitation the constant addition
of coolant to keep the vapors condensed. This device permits the removal of
such a trap after the desired vacuum has been obtained and seals the opening
after removal thus eliminating the need of constantly adding the expensive
coolant during the period the vacuum is maintained, which may be many days.
(auth)
US 2,754,423 CALUTRONS OF THE MULTIPLE ION BEAM TYPE – Lawrence, E. O.; Jul 10, 1956 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) Design modifications of a calutron of the multiple-ion-beam
type are outlined. The single transmitter unit consists of a plurality of mutually
insulated gas ionizing devices supplied with gas to be ionized from a single
chamber arranged to transmit a plurality of ion beams traversing paths of different
curvatures. Means are provided for focusing the ion beams onto the receiver
to collect the separated isotopes. (auth)
US 2,773,195 BEAM REGULATOR – Lawrence, E. O. ; Kerns, Q. A.; Dec 4, 1956 (to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) A circuit is described for automatically regulating
the accelerating voltage of a calutron in order that the ion beam may maintain
a stable path to the collector elements, thereby obtaining maximum separation
of the isotopic mixture. This beam adjustment may be maintained independent
of the spacing of the collector elements, thereby largely overcoming errors
in spacing, and maintained independent of sparking or electrical discharge
that would tend to reduce separation of the isotopes. (auth)
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