Apparatus

Abstract

An electrode carrying insert for an energy cell and an energy cell are disclosed. The electrode carrying insert 100 comprises a body (120, Figure 3) having and electrode 110 extending through it. The

Claims

1. An electrode carrying insert for an energy cell, the insert comprising:a body having: a proximal region, a distal region, and a sealing region; andan electrode extending within the body from the proximal region to the distal region;wherein the insert is insertable into a housing of an energy cell with: the sealing region sealing an opening in the housing through which the body extends from the proximal region outside the housing to the distal region inside the housing, and the electrode configured to apply electrical energy to a fluid inside the housing to generate one or more bubbles of plasma therein;wherein the electrode comprises a first portion arranged to be provided inside the housing and a second portion arranged to connect the first portion to a source of electrical energy; andwherein the second portion has a lower electrical impedance and / or resistance than the first portion.

2. An energy cell comprising:a housing having an opening therein; andan electrode carrier comprising: (i) a body having: a proximal region, a distal region, and a sealing region, and (ii) an electrode within the body;wherein the electrode carrier is coupled to the housing with the sealing region of the electrode carrier sealing the opening in the housing, and with the distal region of the body inside the housing and the proximal region of the body outside the housing;wherein the electrode extends within the body from the proximal region to the distal region and is configured to apply electrical energy to a fluid inside the housing to generate one or more bubbles of plasma therein;wherein the electrode comprises a first portion arranged to be provided inside the housing and a second portion arranged to connect the first portion to a source of electrical energy; andwherein the second portion has a lower electrical impedance and / or resistance than the first portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion is thinner than the first portion.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion is made of a different material to the second portion.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion has a narrower configuration than the first portion.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion is better capable of withstanding stress than the second portion.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion is provided by a bar of electrically conductive material.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion comprises tungsten.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is provided by electrically conductive wire.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion provided by a braid.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is configured to provide greater heat dissipation and / or generate less resistive heating than the first portion.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein a distal tip of the electrode is provided by a distal end of the first portion.

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a cavity in its distal region.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the electrode is housed within the cavity.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrical connection between the first and second portions of the electrode is in the cavity.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the second portion is attached to the first portion in the cavity.

17. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the electrode extends through the body.

18. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the distal region of the body comprises a member which surrounds the electrode, and wherein the member extends distally from the sealing region.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the member surrounds the electrode along some, but not all, of the length of the electrode within the housing.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a distal end of the electrode extends beyond a distal end of the member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a protective element arranged to at least partially surround the distal end of the electrode.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the protective element is coupled to the distal end of the member, optionally wherein said coupling comprises a threaded connection.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the member is narrower at its distal end than at its proximal end.

24. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sealing region comprises a flange.

25. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein a distal portion of the body is more thermally resistant than a proximal portion.

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