Lead Inductance Energy Reduction in Plasma Power Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in reducing electrical energy stored in leads connected to plasma applications, leading to unwanted plasma arc discharges, as shortening leads is impractical and does not effectively mitigate energy delivery to arcs.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuitry with a switch, nonlinear devices, and an energy storing device, pre-charged to divert residual energy from leads into the storing device, preventing its return to the load, allowing for efficient arc extinction without constraints on power supply placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If leads are shortened to reduce inductance, then lead inductance energy is reduced, but power supply placement flexibility is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful energy stored in lead inductance is extracted and redirected into a separate energy storage device (capacitor) through a diode, isolating it from the load. This allows long leads to be used without transferring excessive energy to arcs, while maintaining power supply placement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary energy storage device (capacitor) and diode are introduced between the lead inductance and the load. The diode acts as a one-way valve that allows energy to flow from the leads into the capacitor but prevents it from returning to the load, effectively mediating the energy transfer problem.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If power is interrupted upon arc detection, then plasma arc discharge is stopped, but residual energy from lead inductance continues to feed the arc
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is pre-charged during normal operation before arc detection occurs. When an arc is detected and power is interrupted, the pre-charged capacitor immediately provides a voltage that opposes the lead inductance voltage, preventing residual energy from sustaining the arc.
Solution Approach 2:
A preliminary voltage is established across the energy storage device that acts in opposition to the harmful voltage generated by lead inductance during arc conditions. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect before it can occur.
3Loss of energy
If non-linear devices and energy storage devices are added, then energy transfer from leads to load is prevented, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diode and energy storage device form a self-regulating circuit that automatically prevents energy transfer from leads to load without requiring external control. The diode's inherent one-way conductivity and the capacitor's voltage storage capability enable the circuit to protect itself autonomously.
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
Significantly reduces energy transferred to plasma arcs, enabling faster and more effective arc extinction while maintaining flexibility in power supply placement.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storing device (such as, for example, a capacitance and/or an inductance), such that the first electrical nonlinear device and the energy storing device are configured to transfer energy from the leads or the load into the energy storing device
Implementation Method 2
a pre-charging circuit in operative connection with the energy storing device, the pre-charging circuit configured to charge the energy storing device to a pre-determined energy level while power to the load is enabled
Implementation Method 3
the first electrical non-linear device may be configured to prevent a current originating from the pre-charging circuit and/or the energy storing device from being delivered into the leads
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present invention, reducing electrical energy stored in a load or in one or more leads for connecting a power supply with the load is achieved by plasma process power circuitry including a switch in operative connection with at least one of the leads for enabling/interrupting power to the load; a first electrical nonlinear device; an energy storing device arranged in series with the first electrical nonlinear device; and a pre-charging circuit in operative connection with the energy storing device, the pre-charging circuit configured to charge the energy storing device to a pre-determined energy level while power to the load is enabled.