Rotating element including a liquid metal liner and having multiple valves

Abstract

The apparatus is configured to rotate within a vacuum vessel of a plasma compression system. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical outer wall configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of symmetry. The outer wall includes an outer surface, an inner surface at least partially enclosing an interior volume of the apparatus, and a plurality of channels extending therethrough. The interior volume is configured to contain a liquid medium. The apparatus further includes a plurality of valves attached to the outer wall, the plurality of valves being in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. The plurality of valves are configured to selectively control the flow of pressurized gas from outside the outer surface through the plurality of channels into the interior volume.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application generally relates to a system and method for applying pressure to a rotating liquid metal liner to compress a plasma surrounded by the liquid metal liner. [Background technology]

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the material described in this section is not prior art to the claims of this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] General Fusion's magnetized target fusion (MTF) technology uses liquid metal to compress a magnetized hydrogen isotope (e.g., deuterium-tritium) plasma to initiate the fusion of the hydrogen isotopes, forming helium or tritium, and producing high-energy neutrons or protons, respectively. The high-energy particles can be absorbed, heating the liquid metal and extracting heat, thereby providing an energy source. The plasma is placed within a roughly cylindrical vortex cavity formed by rotating the liquid metal within a rotating cylinder within a fusion containment vessel. Centrifugal force drives the liquid metal against the wall of the rotating cylinder, forming a liquid metal liner surrounding the vortex cavity. The liquid metal liner is compressed by externally applied pressure, causing it to collapse radially and axially, thereby imploding the vortex cavity and creating a spherical collapse cavity. The plasma contained therein is compressed as the liquid metal liner collapses. During this compression, fusion conditions are achieved within the plasma, and heat is released into the liquid metal liner as the fusion reaction occurs. This thermal energy can be removed by circulating heated liquid metal through a heat exchanger.

[0004] Conventional systems use mechanical compression systems to radially compress and apply pressure to a liquid metal liner. For example, the LINUS system, developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the 1970s, utilized a compression piston that rotated around the liquid metal liner along with the reactor vessel. As another example, U.S. Patent No. 6,269,492 (developed by General Fusion Inc.) discloses a system in which a rotating liquid metal liner is formed by rotating liquid metal into a vortex cavity within a pressure vessel, with plasma positioned in the central cavity of the vortex. Implosion of the liquid metal liner and compression of the plasma within the cavity are driven by acoustic pressure waves generated by a piston moving within a bore fixedly attached to the outer wall of the pressure vessel, which impacts anvils positioned radially around the pressure vessel. As yet another example, U.S. Patent No. 6,269,492 (developed by General Fusion Inc.) discloses a rotor that circulates a liquid medium to create a liquid liner. The liquid liner is collapsed by a compression driver positioned radially outside the pressure vessel and fixedly attached to the pressure vessel. The liquid medium partially fills the compression driver, allowing the liquid medium to extend into the gap between the rotor and the non-rotating pressure vessel. In a further development by General Fusion Inc. (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,273,629), liner implosion and plasma compression are driven by the movement of pressurized gas from compression drivers positioned radially around the pressure vessel. The liner initially begins as a cylindrical vortex cavity, and during compression the liquid metal liner dynamically shapes as it radially converges, intentionally evolving the liner's inner shape to a spherical shape to maximize plasma compression and heat the plasma to fusion conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,002,680 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 10,798,808 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2022 / 155725 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In certain embodiments, an apparatus is configured to be rotated within a vacuum vessel of a plasma compression system. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical outer wall configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of symmetry. The outer wall includes an outer surface, an inner surface at least partially enclosing an interior volume of the apparatus, and a plurality of channels extending therethrough. The interior volume is configured to contain a liquid medium. The apparatus further includes a plurality of valves attached to the outer wall and in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. The plurality of valves are configured to selectively control pressurized gas flow from outside the outer surface through the plurality of channels into the interior volume.

[0007] In certain embodiments, a plasma compression system is configured to receive and contain a plasma within a volume at least partially surrounded by a circulating metal-liquid medium and controllably compress the liquid medium surrounding the plasma, thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma. The system includes a plasma containment vessel, a plurality of pressurized gas sources fixedly attached to the vessel, and an apparatus within the vessel. The apparatus contains the metal-liquid medium within an interior volume at least partially surrounded by the apparatus and is configured to rotate within the vessel about a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of valves configured to receive pressurized gas from the plurality of pressurized gas sources. The plurality of valves are configured to controllably actuate the pressurized gas directly against the metal-liquid medium within the interior volume to compress the metal-liquid medium in a predetermined pattern.

[0008] The drawings are provided to illustrate examples of embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The sizes and relative positions of devices in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes and angles of various devices are not drawn to scale, and some of these devices have been arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve the readability of the drawings. Reference numerals may be reused throughout the drawings to indicate correspondence between referenced devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate cross-sectional side views of a plasma compression system according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 1B] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a partial cross-sectional view of a plasma compression system according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 2A] 1A and 1B are perspective views of an exemplary device according to certain implementations described herein, each of which shows an azimuthal arc segment of the device extending approximately halfway around the device's longitudinal axis of symmetry. [Figure 2B] 2A and 2B are perspective views of a smaller azimuthal arc segment of the device shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. [Figure 2C] 1A and 1B illustrate schematic diagrams of an exemplary device according to certain implementations described herein, including a cross-sectional view of an azimuthal arc segment of the device in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry; [Figure 2D] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of an azimuthal arc segment of another exemplary measuring device in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry, illustrating various additional configurations. [Figure 3A] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a partially transparent perspective view of an exemplary valve according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 3B] 10A and 10B schematically illustrate a partially transparent perspective view of another exemplary valve according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 4A]3C schematically illustrates an exploded perspective view of the exemplary valve of FIG. 3B. [Figure 4B] 3C schematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary valve of FIG. 3B in a closed state. [Figure 4C] 3C schematically illustrates a side view of the exemplary valve of FIG. 3B in an open state. [Figure 4D] 3C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the device with multiple exemplary valves of FIG. 3B. [Figure 5A] 3C and 3D are schematic cross-sectional views of the example valve of FIG. 3B in different states according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 5B] 3C and 3D are schematic cross-sectional views of the example valve of FIG. 3B in different states according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 5C] 3C and 3D are schematic cross-sectional views of the example valve of FIG. 3B in different states according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 5D] 3C and 3D are schematic cross-sectional views of the example valve of FIG. 3B in different states according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 6] 10 is a series of simulated images that schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of a liquid liner at various times during a steady-state phase, a compression phase, and a recovery phase, according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 7A] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of an example tool configured to controllably adjust a valve mounted on an outer wall, according to certain implementations described herein. [Figure 7B] 10A-10C schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of another example tool configured to controllably adjust valves mounted on an outer wall, according to certain implementations described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In contrast to previous systems that use a pusher piston within a rotating core to collapse the liquid liner, certain embodiments described herein utilize direct gas pressure on the liquid liner to collapse the liquid liner and compress the plasma enclosed within the liquid liner. Previous rotating cores with pusher pistons function adequately using a fill level of approximately 150% of the cavity volume. This fill level determines the amount of compression energy applied to achieve a given compression time, with higher fill levels requiring more compression energy. Certain embodiments described herein can reduce the fill level (e.g., to approximately 30% of the cavity volume) and operate using less compression energy for the same compression time compared to pusher piston-based systems, resulting in smaller and faster compression systems. By using direct pressure compared to pusher piston-based systems, certain embodiments offer simplicity (e.g., reduced complexity) and reduced angular momentum of the rotating core.

[0011] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a cross-sectional side view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of a plasma compression system 100 according to certain embodiments described herein. The system 100 comprises a plasma containment vessel 110, a plurality of pressurized gas sources 120 fixedly attached to the vessel 110, and a rotating device 130 (e.g., a rotating element such as a rotating core or rotor) within the vessel 110. The device 130 is configured to include a liquid liner (not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B ) and to rotate within the vessel about a longitudinal axis of symmetry 132 of the device 130. The device 130 comprises a plurality of valves 134 configured to receive pressurized gas from the plurality of pressurized gas sources 120, and each valve 134 of the plurality of valves 134 is controllably actuated to apply the pressurized gas directly to a liquid liner within an interior volume 136 at least partially enclosed by the device 130 to compress the liquid liner in a predetermined pattern.

[0012] 1A and 1B, the vessel 110 includes an outer wall 112 with a plurality of ports 114 extending through the outer wall 112 (e.g., from the outer surface to the inner surface of the outer wall 112) and in fluid communication with a plurality of pressurized gas sources 120. The pressurized gas sources 120 may be configured to supply pressurized gas (e.g., pressurized helium) via the ports 114 to a gap volume 116 between the inner surface of the outer wall 112 and the device 130. For example, each of the pressurized gas sources 120 may include a compression driver having a driver bore in fluid communication with a corresponding port 114 in the outer wall 112 and a driver piston controllably driven to slide within the driver bore to compress (e.g., pressurize) gas within the driver bore, with the compressed (e.g., pressurized) gas flowing from the driver bore to the gap volume 116. In another example, each pressurized gas source 120 can include a driver valve (e.g., a fast-acting poppet valve) in fluid communication with a corresponding port 114 in the outer wall 112 and configured to be controllably actuated (e.g., opened) to controllably pressurize the gap volume 116 (e.g., by allowing the flow of pressurized gas from the port 114 to the gap volume 116). Examples of ports 114 and pressurized gas sources 120 compatible with certain embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, the ports and compression drivers disclosed by U.S. Patent Application No. 2009 / 0129990. In contrast to the disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 2009 / 0129990, in which the compression driver is utilized with a rotating core including multiple pusher pistons slidable within multiple pusher bores, the pressurized gas sources 120 according to certain embodiments described herein are configured to be utilized with the apparatus 130 described herein. Examples of pressurized gas sources 120 compatible with certain embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, the valves disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 268,045, filed February 15, 2022.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the inner surface of the outer wall 112 and the outer surface 212 of the device 130 are spaced apart (e.g., by a distance ranging from 5 millimeters to 50 millimeters) to define a gap volume 116 between the outer wall 112 and the device 130. As shown generally by FIGS. 1A and 1B, the vessel 110 can be generally cylindrical with a generally cylindrical outer wall 112, and the device 130 can be generally cylindrical with a generally cylindrical outer surface (e.g., that matches the curvature of the inner surface of the outer wall 112 of the vessel 110 to define the annular gap volume 116). The vessel 110 can comprise a single cylinder or an assembly of a series of stacked rings (e.g., joined by welding or other means, such as bolts, to apply an axial tension force to the stacked rings), with the outer wall 112 having a straight (e.g., cylindrical) or curved inner surface (e.g., with a curvature that matches the curvature of the outer surface of the device 130). In certain embodiments, the inner surface of the outer wall 112 of the container 110 can have circular steps (not shown) of varying radial diameters, and the device 130 can have an outer surface with steps having radial diameters that match the steps on the inner surface of the outer wall 112 of the container 110. Other shapes of the container 110 and the device 130 (e.g., spherical, oval) are also compatible with certain embodiments described herein.

[0014] In certain embodiments, apparatus 130 is configured to contain a liquid medium (e.g., a liquid metal such as lithium, lead, or a combination thereof). Apparatus 130 is configured to rotate (e.g., using an electric drive motor, a steam turbine, or other form of rotary drive) to circulate the liquid medium. The resulting central force causes the liquid medium to flow toward the interior surface of apparatus 130, forming a liquid liner surrounding a central cavity within interior volume 136. The liquid medium is completely contained within apparatus 130, does not contact exterior wall 112, and rotates solidly with apparatus 130, minimizing turbulence or perturbation of the cavity surface. In certain embodiments, the liquid medium is entirely within interior volume 136, while in certain other embodiments, a majority of the liquid medium is within interior volume 136. A plasma can be injected into the central cavity (e.g., using a plasma generator), and a pressurized gas source 120 can be operated to transmit a pressure pulse across the gap volume 116 to an apparatus 130, which controls the flow of pressurized gas to push the liquid medium inward and collapse the liquid liner in a predetermined pattern, compressing the plasma, as described in more detail below.

[0015] 2A-2D schematically illustrate an exemplary device 130 according to certain embodiments described herein. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an azimuthal arc segment of the device 130 extending approximately halfway about the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132 of the device 130. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a smaller azimuthal arc segment of the device 130 shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the azimuthal arc segment of the device 130 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132. FIG. 2D is another cross-sectional view of an azimuthal arc segment of another exemplary device 130 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132, illustrating various additional configurations.

[0016] In certain embodiments, device 130 comprises a single unit, while in certain other embodiments, device 130 comprises multiple shaped sections joined together to form device 130. Construction of device 130 or sections thereof can use traditional metal forming and mill-writting techniques, or metal printing (e.g., additive manufacturing) techniques can be used to create internal web structures that optimize topology and stress loading within device 130.

[0017] 2A-2C , device 130 comprises an outer wall 210 configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of symmetry 132, outer wall 210 comprising an outer surface 212, an inner surface 214 that at least partially surrounds an interior volume 136 of device 130, and a plurality of channels 216 extending through outer wall 210 (e.g., from outer surface 212 to inner surface 214). Device 130 further comprises a plurality of valves 220 attached to outer wall 210, the plurality of valves 220 in fluid communication with the plurality of channels 216, each valve 220 of the plurality of valves 220 configured to selectively control the flow of pressurized gas from outside outer surface 212, through a corresponding one of the plurality of channels 216, and into interior volume 136. In certain embodiments, valve 220 is passive (e.g., responsive to pressures or other environmental conditions occurring during operation, as well as the inherent design, materials, and / or dimensions of the device), while in other certain embodiments, valve 220 is active (e.g., responsive to trigger control signals or other externally applied signals, such as from sensors, during operation). The exemplary device 130 of FIGS. 2A-2C further includes first and second end plates 230 a,b at opposite ends of outer wall 210 and a plurality of partitions 240 extending radially from inner surface 214 into interior volume 136, wherein partitions 240 at least partially enclose a plurality of regions 250 within interior volume 136 between first and second end plates 230 a,b. Each region 250 of the plurality of regions 250 is in fluid communication with a corresponding valve 220 of the plurality of valves 220. Exemplary materials 240 for the outer wall 210, first and second end plates 230a, b, and the plurality of dividers 240 include, but are not limited to, stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys, and other alloys configured to withstand high pressures and temperatures and not react effectively with the liquid liner and / or pressurized gas.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the outer wall 210 is configured to separate the gap volume 116 from the liquid liner in the interior volume 136. As shown generally by FIGS. 2A-2C , the outer wall 210 of the apparatus 130 may be generally cylindrical, have a longitudinal axis of symmetry 132, and have a height (e.g., the distance between two end plates 230 a, b) in the range of 1 meter to 10 meters (e.g., in the range of 2.5 meters to 4.5 meters). The outer surface 212 and the inner surface 214 of the outer wall 210 may be generally cylindrical with inner and outer radii in the range of 0.5 meters to 5 meters (e.g., in the range of 2 meters to 3.5 meters). The thickness of the outer wall 210 (e.g., the difference between the outer radius of the outer surface 212 and the inner radius of the inner surface 214) may be in the range of 0.05 meters to 1 meter (e.g., 0.1 meters to 0.5 meters). Each channel 216 of the plurality of channels 216 may have a longitudinal axis that extends generally radially (eg, generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132 of the device 130 ) from the outer surface 212 to the inner surface 214 .

[0019] Each channel 216 may have a generally circular, oval, rectangular, or square cross-sectional shape in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel 216. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the channel 216 (e.g., a width ranging from 30 millimeters to 80 millimeters) is generally uniform along the longitudinal axis of the channel 216, while in other certain embodiments, the cross-sectional size of the channel 216 varies along the longitudinal axis of the channel 216 (e.g., the width of the channel 216 at the outer surface 212 may be greater than the width of the channel 216 at the inner surface 214, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 216 may be tapered along a radial direction to maximize volume utilization).

[0020] In certain embodiments, the first and second end plates 230 a,b are generally annular, generally perpendicular to, and generally concentric with the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132. The first and second end plates 230 a,b can be configured to axially constrain the liquid liner (e.g., prevent the liquid liner from flowing out of the top or bottom ends of the device 130) and allow the liquid liner to rotate in a solid rotation (e.g., without fluid shear) immediately prior to compression of the liquid liner. The first and second end plates 230 a,b can also be configured to provide a sealing point for the vacuum boundary and a connection point for the device 130 to the rest of the plasma compression system.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the plurality of partitions 240 divide a portion of the interior volume 136 adjacent to (e.g., at least partially surrounded by) the exterior wall 210 into a cellular structure (e.g., a generally rectangular cellular structure as shown schematically in FIGS. 2A-2C, a generally hexagonal cellular structure, or a "honeycomb" structure). For example, as shown schematically in FIGS. 2A-2C, the plurality of partitions 240 comprises a plurality of axial partitions 240a extending generally parallel along the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132 of the device 130 and a plurality of azimuthal partitions 240b extending generally perpendicularly around the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132. Adjacent (e.g., adjacent) axial partitions 240a can be generally evenly spaced from one another, and adjacent (e.g., adjacent) azimuthal partitions 240b can be generally evenly spaced from one another. The axial partitions 240a and azimuthal partitions 240b can comprise interlocking planar devices that are generally perpendicular to one another. The thickness of the axial partitions 240a and azimuthal partitions 240b can be in the range of 8 millimeters to 32 millimeters (e.g., in the range of 10 millimeters to 15 millimeters).

[0022] 2A and 2B, the distance that the axial partition 240a extends from the inner surface 214 into the interior volume 136 is equal to or greater than the distance that the azimuthal partition 240b extends from the inner surface 214 into the interior volume 136. The distance that the axial partition 240a extends from the inner surface 214 into the interior volume 136 can vary as a function of position along the axial partition 240a. For example, as shown schematically in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ends of the axial partition 240a (e.g., the portions adjacent the first and second end plates 230a,b) can extend a greater distance than the central portion of the axial partition 240a (e.g., the portions spaced from the first and second end plates 230a,b). In certain embodiments, the distance that azimuthal partitions 240b extend from inner surface 214 into interior volume 136 can be approximately equal around device 130.

[0023] In certain embodiments, region 250 bounded by two adjacent axial partitions 240a and two adjacent azimuthal partitions 240b has the shape of a trapezoidal prism (e.g., a truncated cone) with a rectangular (e.g., square) front surface 252 open to interior volume 136 and a rectangular (e.g., square) rear surface 254 closed by interior surface 214 and in fluid communication with corresponding valve 220. Due to axial partitions 240a and azimuthal partitions 240b extending radially from interior surface 214 into interior volume 136, front surface 252 of region 250 is smaller than rear surface 254 of region 250. The number of axial partitions 240a across the inner circumference of device 130 (e.g., in the range of 50-150) and the number of azimuthal partitions 240b between first end plate 230a and second end plate 230b (e.g., in the range of 20-80) can be selected so that each channel 216 and each valve 220 is in fluid communication with a corresponding region 250 of the plurality of regions 250. In certain embodiments, the plurality of axial partitions 240a and the plurality of azimuthal partitions 240b are configured to provide structural support (e.g., strength) to hold device 130 together. In certain embodiments, the plurality of regions 250 are configured to break up pressure waves generated by pressurized gas acting on the liquid liner to enhance controlled shaping of the inner surface of the liquid liner facing the plasma.

[0024] The azimuthal arc segment of FIG. 2B comprises a single axial column of channels 216, valves 220, and regions 250, while the azimuthal arc segment of FIG. 2C comprises a portion of a single azimuthal row (e.g., layer) of channels 216, valves 220, and regions 250 (e.g., multiple valves 220 are arranged in an array of axial columns and azimuthal rows). As described more fully herein, valves 220 in a common azimuthal row can operate at substantially the same pressure and substantially the same time, while valves 220 in different azimuthal rows can operate at different pressures and / or times. As a result of the different valve actuations of multiple valves 220 in apparatus 130 from layer to layer, pressurized gas from valves 220 can have non-uniform axial (e.g., vertical) pressure and / or timing, pushing directly against the liquid liner to controllably shape the liquid liner compression (e.g., so that the plasma compresses the liquid liner in a manner that is approximately spherically symmetric).

[0025] In certain embodiments, to provide substantially spherically symmetric compression, all valves 220 in the same azimuthal row (e.g., layer) are actuated (e.g., opened) simultaneously with one another, but valves 220 in different azimuthal rows are actuated at different times. For example, all valves 220 in the same azimuthal row may open within a fraction of a millisecond of one another (e.g., within 250 microseconds of one another).

[0026] During the initial stages of the liner compression process, expanding volumes of pressurized gas in contact with the liquid liner in adjacent regions 250 can communicate with each other (e.g., via paths extending through valve orifices), and flow size and conditions (e.g., presence or absence of blockages) can affect the interaction between these expanding volumes. Various configurations of the apparatus 130 (e.g., valve orifice size) can be configured to control such communication between adjacent regions 250 to facilitate control of individual instabilities (e.g., Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities) during liquid liner compression. In certain embodiments, valve orifice size is configured to customize communication between adjacent regions 250, while in other specific embodiments, other configurations contribute to customizing communication between adjacent regions 250. Figure 2D schematically illustrates some example configurations according to certain embodiments described herein.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the apparatus 130 includes features configured to increase gas flow sharing between channels 216 in the same azimuthal row (e.g., layer) and control instabilities resulting from one valve 220 opening slightly faster or slower than an adjacent valve 220 in the same azimuthal row. For example, the apparatus 130 can include multiple holes extending through the outer wall 210 such that adjacent channels 216 in the same azimuthal row are in fluid communication with one another. The holes 260 are configured to allow gas to flow from a channel 216 in the same azimuthal row upstream from the valve 220 to two adjacent channels 216 (e.g., before the valve 220 opens, and after the valve 220 opens).

[0028] In certain embodiments, the apparatus 130 comprises a feature configured to reduce gas flow sharing between channels 216 in the same azimuthal row (e.g., layer) through a gap volume 116 between the inner surface of the outer wall 112 of the vessel 110 and the outer surface 212 of the apparatus 130. For example, the apparatus 130 may comprise a plurality of protrusions 262 extending from the outer surface 212 of the outer wall 210 into the gap volume 116. The protrusions 262 may comprise ridges (e.g., fins) extending along the outer surface 212 parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132 of the apparatus 130. The protrusions 262 are configured to reduce gas flow between adjacent channels 216 in the same azimuthal row through the gap volume 116 (e.g., during rotation of the apparatus 130).

[0029] In certain embodiments, the apparatus 130 includes features configured to increase gas flow sharing between regions 250 in the same azimuthal row (e.g., layer) (e.g., adjacent rear surfaces 254 of the regions 250) and control instabilities resulting from one valve 220 opening slightly faster or slower than an adjacent valve 220 in the same azimuthal row. For example, the apparatus 130 can include multiple holes 264 extending through the axial partition 240a such that adjacent regions 250 in the same azimuthal row are in fluid communication with one another. The holes 264 are configured to allow liquid medium to flow from the regions 250 in the same azimuthal row downstream from the valves 220 to two adjacent regions 256 (e.g., before the valves 220 open and after the valves 220 open).

[0030] Figure 3A schematically illustrates a partially transparent perspective view of an exemplary valve 220 according to certain embodiments described herein. Figure 3B schematically illustrates a partially transparent perspective view of another exemplary valve 220 according to certain embodiments described herein. Figures 4A-4C schematically illustrate an exploded perspective view, a side view in a closed state, and a side view in an open state, respectively, of the exemplary valve 220 of Figure 3B. Figure 4D schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view (in an axial plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132) of a portion of an apparatus 130 including multiple exemplary valves 220 of Figure 3B.

[0031] In certain embodiments, valve 220 comprises a casing 310 having a first portion 312 configured to be in fluid communication with channel 216, a second portion configured to be in fluid communication with interior volume 136 (e.g., including a liquid liner), and at least one orifice 316 in fluid communication with interior volume 136. Valve 220 further comprises a poppet 320 and a spring 330 in mechanical communication with poppet 320 and casing 310. Spring 330 is configured to apply a restoring force to poppet 320 in response to movement of poppet 320 relative to casing 310, and poppet 320 is configured to move relative to casing 310 in response to pressurized gas 305 from channel 216 having a gas pressure greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, the centripetal force exerted on the poppet 320 by the rotational movement and / or the restoring force exerted on the poppet 320 by the spring 330 can have a predetermined magnitude such that when the gas pressure of the pressurized gas 305 in the channel 216 exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure (e.g., a threshold pressure of 45 MPa or less), the poppet 320 moves (by the pushing force from the pressurized gas 305 on the poppet 320 counteracting the centripetal force and / or restoring force from the spring 330 on the poppet 320) to allow the pressurized gas 305 to flow from the channel 216 into the internal volume 136 of the device 130.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the restoring force of the springs 330 may be controllably adjustable (e.g., by an adjustment nut that controls the compression of the springs 330), and the restoring forces 330 of the springs 330 of different valves 220 may be different from one another so that different valves 220 are controllably actuated (e.g., opened) at different times during application of a pressurized gas pulse to the gap volume 116 (e.g., the plurality of channels 216). For example, the predetermined threshold pressure at which the valves 220 adjacent to the end plates 230 a, b act may be lower than the predetermined threshold pressure at which the valves 220 farther from the end plates 230 a, b act. As another example, the flow rate of pressurized gas through the valves 220 adjacent to the end plates 230 a, b may be greater than the flow rate of pressurized gas through the valves 220 farther from the end plates 230 a, b. As yet another example, the valves 220 adjacent to the end plates 230 a, b may actuate earlier than the valves 220 farther from the end plates 230 a, b. As a result of different predetermined threshold pressures for actuation of different valves 220 at different axial positions, different flow rates of different valves 220 at different axial positions, and / or different actuation timing of different valves 220 at different axial positions, the pressurized gas from valves 220 directly presses against the liquid liner, and is non-uniform in the axial direction (e.g., vertical direction) such that the liquid liner is shaped by compression. By adjusting the predetermined threshold pressures, flow rates, and / or timing of valves 220, the shape of the compressed liquid liner can be controlled (e.g., so that the plasma compresses the liquid liner to be approximately spherically symmetric).

[0033] In certain embodiments, the casing 310 is generally cylindrical, and a first portion (e.g., a seal bore) of the casing 310 is configured to form a seal with the channel 216. In certain embodiments, the first and second portions 312, 314 are a single device, while in certain other embodiments, the first and second portions 312, 314 are separate devices attached to one another (e.g., using threads and seals). Exemplary materials for the casing 310, including the first portion 312, poppet 320, and spring 330, include, but are not limited to, stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys, and other alloys configured to withstand high pressures and temperatures and not appreciably react with the liquid liner and / or pressurized gas 305. The poppet 320 of certain embodiments may be comprised of a hollow titanium core material, an interface material overlying the titanium core material, and a shell material overlying the interface material. The shell material may be configured to seal against a surface of the casing 310 when the poppet 320 is in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the poppet 320 and the spring 330 are a single device (see, e.g., FIG. 3A ), while in certain other embodiments, the poppet 320 and the spring 330 are separate devices in mechanical communication with one another. In certain embodiments, the at least one orifice 316 includes a plurality of orifices 316 (e.g., 16 orifices as schematically illustrated by FIG. 3A , 2 orifices as schematically illustrated by FIG. 3B ). Other numbers of orifices 316 at other locations relative to the casing 310 are also compatible with certain embodiments described herein. In the case of the exemplary valve 220 of FIG. 3A , the first portion 312 is configured to be attached to the outer surface 212 of the outer wall 210 of the device 130, and the casing 310, including the second portion 314, is configured to extend into the channel 216. In the case of the exemplary valve 220 of FIG. 3B, the first portion 312 is configured to be attached to the inner surface 214 of the outer wall 210 of the device 130, and the casing 310 including the second portion 314 is configured to extend into the region 250.In certain embodiments, as shown schematically in FIG. 4D, first portion 312 of casing 310 is configured to fit at least partially within channel 216 and be attached to channel 216 (e.g., by a locking ring).

[0034] 5A-5D schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of the example valve 220 of FIG. 3B in multiple states, according to certain embodiments described herein. For example, as schematically illustrated by FIG. 4B and FIG. 5A, during a steady-state operation phase of the plasma compression system 100, the valve 220 has a closed (sealed) state in which the poppet 320 is in a sealing position (e.g., the first portion 322 of the poppet 320 is pressed against the surface 410 of the casing 310 by the spring 330 to form the seal 412). For example, in a closed state (e.g., a steady state), the seal 412 is circumferentially disposed around the end of the channel 216 such that the seal 412 prevents gas from the channel 216 from reaching the at least one orifice 316 (e.g., prevents the pressurized gas 305 from flowing from the channel 216 through the at least one orifice 316 into the internal volume 136) and such that the seal 412 prevents the liquid liner from flowing radially through the channel 216 (e.g., prevents the liquid liner from flowing from the internal volume 136 through the at least one orifice 316 into the channel 216), thereby retaining the liquid liner within the internal volume 136 of the device 130.

[0035] As shown schematically by Figures 4C and 5B-5D, during a compression phase of operation of the plasma compression system 100, the valve 220 has at least one open state that allows pressurized gas 305 to flow through at least one orifice 316 (e.g., to compress the liquid liner inward from the outer wall 210 toward the longitudinal axis of symmetry 132). For example, as shown schematically in FIG. 5B , in the first open state, the pressure of the pressurized gas 305 in the channel 216 exceeds the predetermined threshold pressure of the valve 220 (e.g., the pushing force from the pressurized gas 305 exceeds the combined force of the restoring force from the spring 330 and the centripetal force from the rotating liquid liner), causing the pressurized gas 305 to move the poppet 320 away from the surface 410 of the casing 310 (e.g., compressing the spring 330), opening the valve 220 (crack the seal 412), and allowing the pressurized gas 305 to begin flowing between the poppet 320 and the surface 410 through at least one orifice 316 (e.g., from the channel 216 to the liquid liner in the internal volume 136).

[0036] 5C , in the second, open state, the poppet 320 moves further from the surface 410 (e.g., further compressing the spring 330), allowing more pressurized gas 305 to flow from the channel 216 into the interior volume 136 of the device 130. In certain embodiments, the valve 220 includes a hydraulic brake 420 configured to slow the poppet 320 toward the end of its range of motion (e.g., to prevent the poppet 320 from striking an end stop with damaging force). For example, as shown in FIGS. 5B-5D , the second portion 324 of the poppet 320, together with a corresponding portion 422 of the casing 310, can have a shape configured to at least partially enclose a region 424 in fluid communication with the interior volume 136 (e.g., through one or more holes 426 through the casing 310), the region 424 containing liquid metal and having a volume that decreases as the poppet 320 moves further from the sealed position. By capturing some of the liquid metal in region 424 and forcing it through restrictive holes 426, poppet 320 and casing 310 can brake movement of poppet 320 from the sealed position. In certain other embodiments, region 424 is not in fluid communication with interior volume 136.

[0037] 4C and 5D, in the third open state (e.g., fully open), the poppet 320 is in a fully open position (e.g., the poppet 320 is fully extended from the surface 410 and the spring 330 is fully compressed). In certain embodiments in which the valve 220 includes a hydraulic brake 420, the region 424 has a minimum volume when the poppet 320 is in the fully open position.

[0038] During a compression phase of operation of the plasma compression system 100, the valve 220 is controllably actuated by the pressurized gas 305, which controllably applies the pressurized gas 305 to the liquid liner to compress the liquid liner inward (e.g., away from the outer wall 210 of the apparatus 130) toward the plasma in the central cavity of the internal volume 136. During a restoration phase of operation of the plasma compression system 100 after the compression phase, the compressed liquid liner expands outward (e.g., toward the outer wall 210 of the apparatus 130), and the valve 220 is configured to allow gas within the internal volume 136 (e.g., but not the liquid liner) to flow radially outward from the internal volume 136 and back into the channel 216. For example, the mass of the poppet 320 can keep the poppet 320 open from the compression phase through to the rebound phase until the restoring liquid liner material returns to the valve 220 and hydrostatic pressure from the liquid liner (e.g., comprising a material with a higher mass density than a gas) returns the poppet 320 to a closed position. For example, the restoring liquid liner material may impinge on the second portion 324 of the poppet 320 through one or more holes 426 and apply a force to the poppet 320 in the same direction as the restoring force from the spring 330 and / or the centripetal force from the rotational motion, returning the poppet 320 to the closed position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A).

[0039] 6 is a series of simulated images that schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of the liquid liner 510 at various times during the steady-state, compression, and recovery phases in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The simulated images are oriented such that the outer wall 210 and the plurality of partitions 240 are at the bottom of each simulated image, and the central cavity of the interior volume 136, where the plasma is introduced, is at the top of each simulated image.

[0040] During the steady-state phase (e.g., before actuation of valve 220 at time t), the liquid liner 510 rotates solidly (e.g., without fluid shear) with the rotating device 130, with minimal turbulence or cavity surface perturbation, such that the surface 512 of the liquid liner 510 facing the interior volume 136 is approximately cylindrical. When pressurized gas 305 is introduced into the gap volume 116 and channel 216 at time t, actuation of valves 220 adjacent to the end plates 230 a,b (e.g., due to a lower predetermined threshold pressure) occurs before actuation of valves 220 closer to the center 130 of the device 130 (e.g., due to a higher predetermined threshold pressure). As a result of the pressurized gas 305 pushing directly on the liquid liner 510 at different pressures, flow rates, and / or times, the surface 512 of the liquid liner 510 facing the plasma becomes concave.

[0041] 6 shows the evolution of the surface 512 of the liquid liner 510 at successive times t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6, and t7 during the compression phase, when the volume of the central cavity containing the plasma decreases. Throughout the compression phase, the surface 512 facing the interior volume 136 remains substantially flat (e.g., substantially unperturbed), while the portion of the liquid liner 510 in contact with the pressurized gas 305 has more structure and variation (e.g., due to perturbations). FIG. 6 also shows the evolution of the surface 512 of the liquid liner 510 at successive times t8, t9, t10, and t11 during the restoration phase, when the liquid liner 510 expands outward, increasing the volume of the central cavity containing the plasma. 10 , and t 11 2 illustrates the evolution of the surface 512 of the liquid liner 510 during this restoration phase. During this restoration phase, the pressurized gas 305 is forced back down the liquid liner 510 through the valve 220 so that it can be recovered and reused. Throughout the restoration phase, the surface 512 facing the interior volume 136 remains somewhat flat (e.g., substantially unperturbed), while the portion of the liquid liner 510 in contact with the pressurized gas 305 becomes highly disordered (e.g., substantially more perturbed).

[0042] Certain embodiments described herein can controllably actuate an array of liquid metal columns (e.g., liquid medium within region 250) to achieve a substantially symmetric (e.g., spherical) collapse of the liquid liner while simultaneously reducing (e.g., avoiding) the generation of perturbations that occur when the liquid is driven by gas pressure.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the predetermined threshold pressures, flow rates, and / or actuation timings of the various valves 220 are controllably adjusted (e.g., customized) and configured to generate compaction of the molded liquid liner. Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of two exemplary tools 600 configured to adjustably control valves 220 mounted on the outer wall 210, according to certain embodiments described herein. Each controllably adjustable valve 220 can include a mechanically adjustable mechanism (e.g., an adjustment nut, a dashpot) accessible by the tool 600 to alter the dynamic actuation (e.g., opening behavior) of the valve 220. For example, the mechanism can include at least one adjustment nut or screw configured to adjust the restoring force generated by the spring 330 or the opening cross-sectional area of ​​at least one orifice 316 of the valve 220. In another example, the mechanism can include a bypass in the dashpot configured to adjust the opening trajectory (e.g., timing) of the valve 220. The tool 600 can include at least one body 610 (e.g., a shaft) and at least one head 620 (e.g., a blade, a socket) attached to the at least one body 610 and configured to adjust a mechanism of the at least one valve 220.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7A, the features of certain embodiments are accessible from the first portion 312 of the casing 310 (e.g., via an opening through the first portion 312). The tool 600 of Figure 7A can be inserted through an orifice extending through the outer wall 112 of the vessel 110 (e.g., through the port 114 or through another orifice dedicated for use by the tool 600). As shown in Figure 7B, the features of certain embodiments are accessible from the second portion 314 of the casing 310 (e.g., from the interior volume 136). The tool 600 of Figure 7B can be inserted from above or below the device 130, through the interior volume 136 and region 250, and into the second portion 314 of the valve 220.

[0045] 7A and 7B, the tool 600 includes a single body 610 and a single head 620 configured to adjust a single valve 220 at a time, while in other specific embodiments, the tool 600 includes multiple bodies 610 and multiple heads 620 configured to adjust multiple valves 220 at a time. For example, the tool 600 can include a body 610 and a head 620 for each valve 220 along an axial valve array 220 (e.g., including 36 rows of valves 220). The tool 600 can be inserted and placed in contact with a valve 220 in a first axial valve array 220, and after adjustment, the tool 600 can be retracted from the first axial valve array 220, the apparatus 130 can be rotated (e.g., indexed) so that a second axial valve array 200 is accessible by the tool 600, and the second axial valve array 220 can be adjusted. In this manner, the tool 600 can sequentially adjust each axial valve row 220 (eg, approximately 200 axial rows) until all valves 220 in the apparatus 130 have been adjusted.

[0046] Although commonly used terms are used to describe the systems and methods of particular embodiments for ease of understanding, these terms are used herein to have their broadest reasonable interpretation. While various aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to specific examples and embodiments, the disclosed examples and embodiments should not be construed as limiting. In particular, conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless otherwise specified or understood within the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain components, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not. Thus, such conditional language generally does not imply that the components, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether those components, elements, and / or steps are included or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or prompting. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be construed as referring to elements, apparatus, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that a referenced element, apparatus, component, or step may be present, utilized, or combined with other elements, apparatus, components, or steps not expressly referenced.

[0047] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and can be combined with each other in various configurations. Also, while the disclosed methods and apparatus are described primarily in the context of plasma compression systems, the various embodiments described herein can be incorporated into a variety of other suitable apparatus, methods, and contexts. More generally, the specific embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of situations that can benefit from having a rotating apparatus as described herein. Specifically, the terms "apparatus" and "element" are understood to have the same meaning and be interchangeable within this specification.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "generally," "substantially," and other degree terms refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that is close to a stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" can refer to an amount that is within ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, ±1%, or ±0.1% of the stated amount. As another example, the terms "generally parallel" and "approximately parallel" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that deviates from strict parallelism by ±10 degrees, ±5 degrees, ±2 degrees, ±1 degree, ±1 degree, or ±0.1 degrees, and the terms "generally perpendicular" and "approximately perpendicular" refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that deviates from strict perpendicularity by ±10 degrees, ±5 degrees, ±2 degrees, ±1 degree, ±1 degree, or ±0.1 degrees. Ranges disclosed herein also include any and all overlaps, subranges, and combinations thereof. For example, terms such as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," and "between" are inclusive of the recited numbers. As used herein, the meaning of "a," "an," and "said" includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in this description, the meaning of "in" includes "into" and "on," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0049] Although methods and systems are described herein in terms of devices labeled with ordinal adjectives (e.g., first, second, etc.), the ordinal adjectives are used merely as labels to distinguish one device from another (e.g., to distinguish one signal from another, or one circuit from another), and the ordinal adjectives are not used to indicate the order of these devices or their use.

[0050] The invention described and claimed herein is not limited in scope by the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, as these embodiments are intended as illustrations of certain aspects of the invention and not as limitations. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications in form and detail of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus configured to rotate within a vacuum vessel of a plasma compression system, comprising: a generally cylindrical outer wall configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of symmetry; a plurality of valves attached to the outer wall; Equipped with the outer wall comprises an outer surface, an inner surface at least partially enclosing an interior volume of the device, and a plurality of channels extending through the outer wall; the interior volume is configured to contain a liquid medium; The apparatus, wherein the plurality of valves are in fluid communication with the plurality of channels and are configured to selectively control the flow of pressurized gas from outside the exterior surface through the plurality of channels into the interior volume.

2. first and second end plates at opposite ends of the outer wall; a plurality of partitions extending radially from the inner surface into the interior volume; Furthermore, the plurality of partitions at least partially enclose a plurality of regions within the interior volume between the first end plate and the second end plate; The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regions are in fluid communication with the plurality of valves.

3. the distance between the two end plates is in the range of 1 meter to 10 meters; the outer surface has an outer radius in the range of 0.5 meters to 5 meters; the inner surface has an inner radius in the range of 0.5 meters to 5 meters; The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the outer wall has a thickness in the range of 0.05 meters to 1 meter.

4. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second end plates are generally annular and generally perpendicular to and concentric with the longitudinal axis of symmetry.

5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of partitions divide a portion of the interior volume at least partially enclosed by the exterior wall into a cellular structure.

6. the plurality of partitions includes a plurality of axial partitions and a plurality of azimuthal partitions; the plurality of axial partitions are generally parallel to and extend along the longitudinal axis of symmetry; The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of azimuthal partitions are generally perpendicular to and extend about the longitudinal axis of symmetry.

7. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of regions bounded by two axial partitions and two azimuthal partitions has the shape of a trapezoidal prism with a rectangular front surface open to the interior volume and a rectangular back surface closed by the interior surface, and is in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the plurality of valves.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of channels extend from the outer surface to the inner surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry.

9. At least one valve of the plurality of valves is a casing having a first portion configured to be in fluid communication with one of the plurality of channels, a second portion configured to be in fluid communication with the interior volume, and at least one orifice in fluid communication with the interior volume; a poppet configured to move relative to the casing in response to pressurized gas from the one channel when the gas pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold; a spring in mechanical communication with the poppet and the casing and configured to apply a restoring force to the poppet in response to movement of the poppet relative to the casing; The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the restoring force is controllably adjustable and different ones of the at least one valve have different restoring forces such that the different valves are controllably actuated at different times while pressurized gas pulses are applied to the plurality of channels.

11. The at least one valve a closed state in which the poppet is pressed against the surface of the casing by the spring to form a seal; at least one open state allowing pressurized gas to flow between said poppet and said surface and through said at least one orifice; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, having a plurality of operating states including:

12. The at least one open state is a first open state, wherein the pressure of the pressurized gas in the one channel is greater than the predetermined threshold pressure of the valve, thereby allowing the pressurized gas to move the poppet, compress the spring, open the seal, and begin flowing through the at least one orifice; a second open state in which the poppet moves further to further compress the spring and allow further flow of the pressurized gas from the channel into the interior volume; and a third open state in which the poppet is fully moved and the spring is fully compressed; The apparatus of claim 11 , comprising:

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the valve comprises a hydraulic brake configured to slow down the speed of the poppet towards an end of its range of motion.

14. 1. A plasma compression system configured to receive and contain a plasma within a volume at least partially surrounded by a circulating metallic liquid medium, and to controllably compress the liquid medium surrounding the plasma, thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma, the system comprising: a plasma containment vessel; a plurality of pressurized gas sources fixedly attached to the vessel; a device within the container; Equipped with the device contains the metal liquid medium within an interior volume at least partially enclosed by the device and is configured to rotate within the vessel about a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the device; the apparatus comprising a plurality of valves configured to receive pressurized gas from the plurality of pressurized gas sources; The system, wherein the plurality of valves are configured to be controllably actuated to apply the pressurized gas directly to the metal-liquid medium within the interior volume to compress the metal-liquid medium in a predetermined pattern.

15. the plurality of valves are arranged in an array on an outer wall of the device; 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the array includes a plurality of axial valve columns extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the device and a plurality of azimuthal valve rows extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry.

16. Each valve of the plurality of valves comprises: a sealed state in which the valve prevents flow of the pressurized gas through the valve to the interior volume; at least one open state, the valve allowing flow of the pressurized gas through the valve to the interior volume and actuated by the pressurized gas having a pressure greater than a predetermined threshold pressure of the valve; 16. The system of claim 14 or 15, having a plurality of operating states including:

17. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the valves in a first azimuthal row of valves have a first predetermined threshold pressure that is substantially the same as one another and the valves in a second azimuthal row of valves have a second predetermined threshold pressure that is substantially the same as one another, and the second predetermined threshold pressure is not substantially the same as the first predetermined threshold pressure.

18. 18. The system of claim 16 or 17, wherein each valve of the plurality of valves is in the sealed state during a steady-state operating phase of the system in which the liquid medium is rotating solidly with the device.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein each valve of the plurality of valves is in the at least one open state during a compression operation phase of the system in which the pressurized gas compresses the liquid medium inwardly from an outer wall of the device.

20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein each valve of the plurality of valves is in the at least one open state during a restoring operation phase of the system in which the liquid medium expands outward toward the outer wall.

Images