Fusor Construction and Start

Current images of fusor efforts, components, etc. Try to continuously update from your name, a current photo using edit function. Title post with your name once only. Change image and text as needed. See first posting for details.
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Erik smith
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Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:05 pm
Real name: Erik smith

Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Erik smith »

Over the past two years I have been collecting parts for my fusor. Due to other interests and work I have not really had time to build. However, I have decided to start up again. Here are the parts collected over the past years...

The first image is my diffusion pump. It came out of an Alcatel ASM-10 helium leak detector. It has an ISO 80 inlet flange and an NW 20 outlet flange. The pump should require a 6cfm vacuum pump and at least a pressure of 50 microns for it to start.
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The next picture is my vacuum pump. Its a 2 stage, 4 cfm pump with an ultimate vacuum of 3 microns. I will take off the flare fittings then replace it with an NW 25 flange and hose.
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ISO-80 to 2.75" conflat adapter and o-ring.
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The main chamber consists of a conflat 6 way cross attached to a 3 way. The 3 way cross adds extra ports, allowing the gas to be injected further away from the pump and grid.
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The bellows and gate valves will allow throttling of the chamber. The butterfly valve will just be used to isolate the chamber from the pumps.
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The up to air valve and a Mastercool thermocouple gauge.
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30kV feedthrough.
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The gas system will contain of a CO2/Argon regulator with a 5 micron copper orifice.
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Dennis P Brown
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Re: Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Dennis P Brown »

Nice; now the issue is putting it all together and testing it for high vacuum! Really the fun part but also a major milestone for your goal of making a fusor.
Erik smith
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Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:05 pm
Real name: Erik smith

Re: Fusor Construction

Post by Erik smith »

I ran the fusor today in demo mode using a corkscrew grid and flyback power supply. The voltage is around -5kV and the current is around 1mA. As of now, I am waiting for the mineral oil to arrive for my 50kV XRT.

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Richard Hull
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Re: Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Richard Hull »

Superb demo system, Erik! I have placed your name in the Plasma Club.

Richard Hull
Progress may have been a good thing once, but it just went on too long. - Yogi Berra
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
Erik smith
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:05 pm
Real name: Erik smith

Re: Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Erik smith »

Here is my 50kV XRT. I have yet to install my 100 half wave rectifier, or my 60kΩ 220M resistor.

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Erik smith
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:05 pm
Real name: Erik smith

Re: Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Erik smith »

Here a few pictures from 2 weeks ago. Since then a lot more parts came in. The only thing I still have to assemble is the drying stack for my PEM generator. I am still waiting for my neutron detector to arrive.

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Erik smith
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:05 pm
Real name: Erik smith

Re: Fusor Construction and Start

Post by Erik smith »

The chamber is almost done. all I have to is create the grid.
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