Arc-Plasma Jet Engine With Consumable Electrodes for High Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric propulsion systems for aircraft face limitations in gravimetric and volumetric power density, speed range, and supersonic performance due to the use of rotating propellers or fans, while conventional engines suffer from low efficiency and high greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
An air-breathing plasma engine utilizing an arc plasma chamber with continuously-fed electrodes generates plasma to convert compressed air into electrically conductive plasma, which is then expanded to produce thrust, optionally combined with a combustion chamber for hybrid operation, and features a system to replenish electrodes as they wear and oxidize.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rotating propellers or fans are used for electric propulsion, then thrust can be generated, but gravimetric and volumetric power density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating propeller/fan system with an electric arc plasma generation system. The electric arc directly heats and ionizes the air flow, converting electrical energy to thermal and kinetic energy without mechanical moving parts, thereby achieving higher power density and improved gravimetric performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of air from molecular gas to plasma state through electric arc heating. This phase transition enables direct conversion of electrical energy to thermal energy, generating high-temperature plasma that expands through the nozzle to produce thrust with superior power density compared to mechanical propulsion
2Productivity
If conventional combustion engines are used, then thrust can be generated, but efficiency is low and greenhouse gas emissions are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional chemical combustion with electric arc plasma generation. This substitution eliminates the need for hydrocarbon fuel combustion, thereby eliminating greenhouse gas emissions while achieving higher efficiency through direct electrical-to-thermal energy conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental energy conversion parameter from chemical combustion to electric arc heating. By using electrical energy to directly heat and ionize air, the system achieves higher thermal efficiency and eliminates harmful emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion
3Power
If electrodes are used to generate plasma, then power density improves, but electrode wear and erosion occur requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service electrode system where the air flow itself serves to cool and protect the electrodes. The high-velocity air flow passes through the electric arc, absorbing heat and preventing excessive temperature buildup at the electrode tips, thereby reducing wear and extending electrode life without requiring external cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary medium between the electric arc and the electrodes. The air acts as a heat sink and protective barrier, absorbing the thermal energy from the arc and preventing direct heat transfer to the electrodes, thereby reducing erosion while maintaining plasma generation
4Loss of energy
If compression stage heat is discarded, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression stage and plasma generation stage into an integrated system. The compressed air from the compression stage flows directly into the electric arc plasma chamber, where the pre-compressed air is heated and ionized. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat recovery systems while improving overall energy efficiency by utilizing the compressed air directly for plasma generation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The plasma engine achieves higher power density, wider temperature operation range, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by reusing heat from the compression stage and minimizing electrode replacement, enabling efficient thrust generation across various flight regimes.
Implementation Method 1
employing an arc plasma chamber that generates plasma (e.g., electrode-coupled, direct current plasma) via electrodes continuously fed by an electrode-feeding assembly
Implementation Method 2
generates plasma (e.g., electrode-coupled, direct current plasma) via electrodes continuously fed by an electrode-feeding assembly
Implementation Method 3
The generated heat can be converted to an impulse, e.g., using a converging-diverging (De Laval) nozzle
Implementation Method 4
The compressor stage is coupled to the inlet and configured to compress the input air and reduce the air input velocity between an entry section of the compressor stage and an exit section of the compressor stage
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary air-breathing plasma engine and methods of operation are disclosed employing an arc plasma chamber that generates plasma, e.g., electrode-coupled, direct current plasma, via electrodes continuously fed by an electrode-feeding assembly. The plasma chamber can be implemented in any one of the stages following the compression stage and having high-pressure and high-velocity air flow, e.g., for a jet engine, turbojet engine, or rocket engine.