G21B FUSION REACTORS
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- Subclass:
- FUSION REACTORS
Description
G21B covers controlled nuclear fusion reactors and associated systems for energy production. This includes reactor designs (inertial confinement, magnetic confinement, and alternative approaches), plasma generation and containment technologies, fuel handling and breeding systems, and reactor components such as magnets, vacuum vessels, and cooling systems. The classification encompasses both experimental fusion facilities and commercial power generation concepts, including supporting technologies for achieving and maintaining the conditions necessary for sustained fusion reactions.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass G21B recorded 3,917 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 219 in 2013 to 510 in 2023 (+133%). The most active applicants in class G21 are CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION (2,364 applications), CGN POWER COMPANY (1,899 applications) and CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY (1,870 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
G21B ranks 6th of 8 subclasses with filings in G21, with 3,917 applications between 2013 and 2023, 4.9% of the class. Annual filings grew 133% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (+4%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G21C, Nuclear Reactors | Nuclear Reactors | 29,798 | 37.0% |
| 2 | G21F, Protection Against X-Radiation, Gamma Radiation, Corpuscular Radiation or Particle Bombardment; Treating Radioactively Contaminated Material; Decontamination Arrangements Therefor | Protection Against X-Radiation, Gamma Radiation, Corpuscular Radiation or Particle Bombardment; Treating Radioactively Contaminated Material; Decontamination Arrangements Therefor | 22,783 | 28.3% |
| 3 | G21K, Handling of Particles or Ionising Radiation Not Otherwise Provided for; Irradiation Devices; Gamma Ray or X-Ray Microscopes | Handling of Particles or Ionising Radiation Not Otherwise Provided for; Irradiation Devices; Gamma Ray or X-Ray Microscopes | 11,603 | 14.4% |
| 4 | G21D, Nuclear Power Plant | Nuclear Power Plant | 7,179 | 8.9% |
| 5 | G21G, Conversion of Chemical Elements; Radioactive Sources | Conversion of Chemical Elements; Radioactive Sources | 4,076 | 5.1% |
| 6 | G21B | Fusion Reactors | 3,917 | 4.9% |
| 7 | G21H, Obtaining Energy From Radioactive Sources; Applications of Radiation From Radioactive Sources, Not Otherwise Provided for; Utilising Cosmic Radiation | Obtaining Energy From Radioactive Sources; Applications of Radiation From Radioactive Sources, Not Otherwise Provided for; Utilising Cosmic Radiation | 1,227 | 1.5% |
| 8 | G21J, Nuclear Explosives; Applications Thereof | Nuclear Explosives; Applications Thereof | 58 | 0.1% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Glossary
Confinement Controlled compression of fusion nuclei to overcome their electrostatic repulsion. Fusion Combination of two or more nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, a by-product of which is the release of energy. Thermonuclear Relating to fusion at high temperatures.
Limiting references
Uncontrollable fusion reactions; applications thereof
Related Keywords
2 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G21, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 2,364
- CGN POWER COMPANY 1,899
- CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,870
- NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,517
- KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,367
- WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,295
- KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,196
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,044
- CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 1,011
- HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY 955