Apparatus for in-situ thermal augmentation of molten metal vessels using fusion-initiated thermal cartridges with sealed reactants.

Apparatus for in-situ thermal augmentation of molten metal vessels using fusion-initiated thermal cartridges with sealed reactants.

Hybrid heat-transfer alloys below steel’s melting point.
Single-use or recyclable cartridge housings designed for crucible insertion.
On-the-fly tritium generation via lithium under high neutron flux.
Remote ignition/containment interface external to cartridge.

Core Concept Claims

1. Apparatus claim:
   A single-use or semi-reusable fusion-reactive thermal cartridge configured for direct insertion into a molten metal containment vessel for the purpose of in-situ thermal augmentation.

2. Fuel architecture claim:
   A cartridge containing at least one fusion fuel isotope selected from the group consisting of deuterium, tritium, lithium, or combinations thereof, in solid, liquid, or compound form, sealed within a reaction chamber adapted for rapid thermal release.

3. Activation method claim:
   A method for initiating a contained fusion reaction within a cartridge inserted into molten metal, comprising external activation via electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal, or neutron-seed triggers, without requiring a standalone power plant infrastructure.

Hybrid Heat Transfer Claims

4. Low-temp pool claim:
   A fusion cartridge surrounded by a primary heat-transfer medium having a melting point below the target metal’s melting point, configured to facilitate rapid energy distribution through phase change before direct heating of the primary molten metal.

5. Alloy configuration claim:
   The heat-transfer medium of claim 4 wherein said medium comprises tin, lead, bismuth, gallium, or alloys thereof in thermal contact with the reaction chamber.

6. Boost alloy method claim:
   A method of heating a primary metal melt by first melting a lower-temperature alloy in contact with the fusion cartridge to improve convective heat transfer during fusion reaction output.

7. Lithium-to-tritium claim:
   A fusion cartridge incorporating a lithium target configured to generate tritium under neutron flux during operation, thereby supplementing or sustaining the fusion reaction without external tritium injection.

8. Breed-and-burn claim:
   A fusion cartridge wherein part of the reaction fuel is bred in-situ from a different isotope or element, allowing for reduced pre-loaded fissile or fusion fuel content.

9. Containment geometry claim:
   A cartridge housing comprising concentric shells of differing melting points, wherein at least one shell controls timing of heat release into the surrounding molten metal.

10. Interface insulation claim:
    A thermal and mechanical interface configured to allow cartridge insertion and removal while isolating activation electronics or triggers from molten metal contact.

11. External controller claim:
    A modular external ignition control system configured to trigger one or more cartridges via wireless, conductive, or optical linkages.

12. Multi-cartridge sequencing claim:
    A control method for sequential or simultaneous activation of multiple in-situ fusion cartridges within a molten metal vessel to regulate temperature rise.

13. Industrial process integration claim:
    Use of the apparatus of claim 1 in steelmaking, alloy production, glassmaking, or any high-temperature industrial process requiring thermal augmentation.

14. Retrofit claim:
    A retrofit kit for existing industrial crucibles or furnaces to accept and activate in-situ fusion thermal cartridges as claimed in any of claims 1–13.

15. Miniaturization claim:
    A scaled-down version of the apparatus of claim 1 for laboratory, research, or specialty batch processing of molten metals.

16. Field-portable claim:
    A portable thermal augmentation system comprising at least one fusion cartridge, an activation controller, and a handling tool for deployment in off-grid or emergency metallurgical operations.