Method and means for utilizing accelerated neutral particles

Claim 3

A method in accordance with claim 1 in which said streams of charged particles are synchronously scanned before converging into a scanning neutral particle beam.

Claim 4

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the accelerated beam of said neutral reactant particles projects into a mass of dispersed relatively static reactant particles which on bombardment by said neutral particles release energy in the form of heat and radiation.

Claim 5

A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the beam of neutral reactant particles projecting into the mass of dispersed relatively static reactant particles is flooded by electrons from an electron gun provided with an appropriate scanning device to encompass the projected beam of neutralized reactant particles within the mass of dispersed relatively static particles.

Claim 6

The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said relatively static reactant particles are dispersed in a substantially evacuated chamber and the chamber walls are engaged by a fluid heat exchange medium.

Claim 7

The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said relatively static reactant particles are dispersed in a solid mass of a metal transparent to the passage of the accelerated neutral reactant particle beam.

Claim 8

A method in accordance with claim 1 in which an accelerated beam is interreacted with the particles in another high velocity neutral particle beam produced in accordance with said method.

Claim 9

The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the scanning beam of said neutral particles is directed toward a sensitized surface adapted to be excited by impingement thereon of said particles and a non--homogeneous solid body to be examined radiographically is interposed in said path between the source of said particles and said sensitized surface.

Claim 10

Apparatus for projecting along a substantially rectilinear path a directionally variable continuous beam of high velocity neutral reactant particles which comprises disposing adjacent each other means for generating positively charged particles and means for generating negatively charged particles, each such generating means including particle accelerating means, and means for directing the accelerated charged particles in converging streams within a substantially evacuated chamber whereby without appreCiable deceleration said positively charged particles and said negatively charged particles commingle and the positive charges of the positively charged particles are neutralized by the negative charges of said negatively charged particles to thereby project from said apparatus a beam of accelerated neutral reactant particles.

Claim 11

Apparatus for projecting along a substantially rectilinear path a directionally variable continuous beam of high velocity neutral reactant particles which comprises disposing adjacent each other means for generating positively charged particles and means for generating negatively charged particles, each such generating means including particle accelerating means, and means for directing the accelerated charged particles in converging streams within a substantially evacuated chamber whereby without appreCiable deceleration said positively charged particles and said negatively charged particles commingle and the positive charges of the positively charged particles are neutralized by the negative charges of said negatively charged particles to thereby project from said apparatus a beam of accelerated neutral reactant particles.

Claim 12

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 9 a pair of continuous synchronous charged particle scanning devices interposed in the path of each of said converging streams for translating transversely of the general direction of the stream the particles therein.

Claim 13

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 9 means for interposing in the path of said neutral particle beam a mass of relatively static reactant particles of a reactant, and means defining a passage for a fluid heat exchange medium in heat exchanging relation with said first mentioned means.

Claim 14

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 9, means defining a substantially evacuated chamber containing relatively static reactant particles of a reactant, means for directing into said chamber said beam of accelerated neutral particles and heat exchange means associated with said chamber defining means providing a passage for a fluid heat exchange medium.

Claim 15

In combination with the apparatus defined in claim 9, detecting means excitable by impact of said accelerated neutral particles disposed in the path of said particles and means for supporting in said path between said detecting means and said apparatus a solid body non-uniformly transparent to said accelerated particles.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means for interposing in the path of said accelerated neutral reactant particles a mass of relatively static particles of a reactant, means in heat exchanging relation with said first mentioned means defining a passage for a fluid heat exchange medium and at least one additional apparatus as defined in claim 9 disposed to project a stream of accelerated neutral reactant particles into said mass of relatively static reactant particles in a direction different from the direction of projection of accelerated neutral particles thereinto from said first mentioned apparatus.