Plasma Actuators Eliminate Mechanical Wear in Rotating Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating machines driven by electric motors face wear and tear issues with moving parts, necessitating frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
The use of plasma actuators with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body forces generated between electrodes to drive rotating components, eliminating the need for mechanical parts by inducing fluid flow and rotation without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric motors are used to drive rotating components, then reliable rotation and fluid propulsion are achieved, but mechanical wear occurs and components require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electric motors with plasma actuators that use electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body forces to drive rotating components. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and wear by using ionized gas flow generated between electrodes to propel the rotation, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes all moving mechanical parts from the drive system, retaining only stationary electrodes that generate plasma. By taking out the motor components that cause wear, the system achieves unlimited operational life while maintaining the ability to drive rotation through EHD forces.
2Reliability
If plasma actuators are used to drive rotating components, then mechanical wear is eliminated and component lifespan is extended, but the system complexity increases due to electrode and plasma generation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters from mechanical rotation to plasma-generated EHD body forces. By altering the fundamental driving mechanism from mechanical to electromagnetic/plasma-based, the system eliminates wear while the complexity is managed through controlled plasma generation between simple electrode structures.
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
Plasma-driven rotating machines operate without mechanical wear, providing a durable and efficient means of rotation and fluid propulsion, reducing maintenance costs and extending component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The use of plasma actuators with electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body forces generated between electrodes to drive rotating components
Implementation Method 2
Devices employing one or more plasma actuators
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment. A method of using the dielectric film can include attaching the dielectric film to a surface of a machine, applying a voltage across electrodes of the dielectric film, and moving the machine based on an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force produced by the dielectric film.