William G. Dow

Bio: William G. Dow is an academic researcher from University of Michigan. The author has contributed to research in topics: Magnetic field & Ionosphere. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 24 publications receiving 281 citations. Previous affiliations of William G. Dow include General Motors & Environmental Research Institute of Michigan.

Trochoidal nuclear fusion reactor

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus for the confining of a stream of fusible positive ions at values of density and high average kinetic energy, primarily of tightly looping motions, to produce nuclear fusion at a useful rate; more or less intimately mixed with the fusible ions will be lower-energy electrons at about equal density, introduced solely for the purpose of neutralizing the positive space charge of the ions. Ions under high kinetic energy are introduced into an annular reaction chamber having a primarily axial strong magnetic field and an essentially radial electric field and assume in the chamber a quasi-trochoidal motion in which the kinetic energies in their small diameter looping components of motion are greater by at least an order of magnitude, than the kinetic energies in the relatively slow crossed field advance motions with which the ions circulate circumferentially around the axis of the annular reaction chamber.

High-frequency inductive welding apparatus

Abstract: This invention relates to means for securing members together in juxtaposition and more particularly to such means as is accomplished by high frequency induction welding. In securing members together by welding, one of the problems involved is that of providing sufficient physical space or...

Reignition of Metallic A-C. Arcs in Air

Abstract: Developments made in circuit breakers in the last two years have emphasized the necessity for obtaining experimental evidence of the current-voltage-time relationships that exist during the period when the a-c. arc between metallic electrodes passes through its cyclic current zero. Twenty-nine cathode-ray oscillograms of these relationships are presented. During the current zero period the arc electrode voltage is determined by the circuit constants and rises until the electrode voltage reaches the breakdown or reignition value, which is determined by the deionizing influences at work while the arc is extinguished. Alteration of the circuit constants permits a variation in the rate of voltage rise with a consequent change in the reignition voltage. Permanent extinguishment of the arc occurs when the gap breakdown voltage has risen, due to deionizing influences, to a value that cannot be reached by the electrode voltage controlled by circuit constants. The action of a circuit breaker in extinguishing an arc is greatly influenced by the presence of adjacent load circuits and by the presence of distributed inductance and capacity in the connecting lines.

Currents to Conductors Induced by a Moving Point Charge

Abstract: General expressions are derived for the currents which flow in the external circuit connecting a system of conductors when a point charge is moving among the conductors. The results are applied to obtain explicit expressions for several cases of practical interest.

Electron temperatures in the F region of the ionosphere - Theory and observations

Abstract: The theory and observations relating to electron temperatures in the F region of the ionosphere are reviewed. The review is divided into three basic parts. In the first part the theory concerning electron heating, cooling, and energy transport processes is reviewed, and all the relevant expressions are updated. In the second part the behavior of F region electron temperatures, as measured by satellites, rockets, and incoherent scatter radars, is discussed. This portion covers electron temperature variations with altitude, latitude, local time, season, geomagnetic activity, and solar cycle. The third part is primarily devoted to a discussion of the various attempts to compare measured and calculated F region electron temperatures.

Ultraviolet Absorption Processes in the Upper Atmosphere

Abstract: Publisher Summary The chapter is confined to only a part of the upper atmosphere research— namely, the study of absorption processes due to solar radiation of wavelengths from about 2900 A to 1 A. This chapter attempts to cover the decade from 1946 to the beginning of the International Geophysical Year, or from the first rocket experiments to the first artificial satellite. The chapter summarizes several types of absorption processes important in the study of the upper atmosphere. Some definitions and equation of state of gases in the upper atmosphere are given. Some of the data on atmospheric structure are tabulated and discussed in order to set up an atmospheric model that will be used for subsequent discussions of atmospheric absorption and photochemistry. The study of atmospheric composition and the study of absorption of solar radiation are directly related and usually proceed together. It is possible to determine atmospheric composition from absorption measurements, and reciprocally, data on composition assist calculations of absorption processes. In order to carry out quantitative calculations of atmospheric photochemical processes, it is necessary to have reliable data on absolute spectral intensities of solar ultraviolet radiation including soft x-rays. The chapter presents the absorption cross-sections of atmospheric gases. Several theories on atmospheric photochemistry are described in this chapter.

Gas-target neutron generation and applications

Abstract: Described herein are integrated systems for generating neutrons to perform a variety of tasks including: on-line analysis of bulk material and industrial process control (as shown in Figure 1), security interrogation (as shown in Figure 2), soil and environmental analysis, and medical diagnostic treatment. These systems are based on novel gas­-target neutron generation which embodies the beneficial characteristics of replenishable fusible gas targets for very long lifetime, stability and continuous operation, combined with the advantageous features common to conventional accelerator neutron tubes including: on/off operation, hermetically sealed operation, and safe storage and transport. Innovative electron management techniques provide gas-target neutron production efficiencies that are comparable or surpass existing sources. The high-pressure high-resistance gaseous discharge is presented as a favorable gas­-target neutron generator embodiment, combining ion source regions, accelerator regions, gas-target regions and electron management components within a single simple cost-effective device that is adaptable to various geometric configurations that provide specific neutron emission profiles for greater analysis capacity.