US Patent 7978805 Liquid gallium cooled high power neutron source target

Patent 7978805 was granted and assigned to Massachusetts Institute of Technology on July, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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Is a

Patent

Patent attributes

Current Assignee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Patent Jurisdiction

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number

7978805

Date of Patent

July 12, 2011

Patent Application Number

09360582

Date Filed

July 26, 1999

Patent Primary Examiner

‌

Johannes P Mondt

Patent abstract

A neutron source includes a low atomic number element target that is bombarded by incident energetic particles to provide a neutron flux. The source receives a controlled flow of liquid gallium that cools the target. The energetic particles may be for example protons or deuterons and the target is housed in a moderator/reflector assembly. Advantageously, the liquid gallium provides improved heat transfer, smaller flow rates and reduced stress on the target in comparison to prior art liquid coolants.