Plasma Generating Device With Rotating Body And Lip Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plasma generating devices require complex structures like carbon brushes, leading to frequent maintenance issues, dust generation, and reduced durability, limiting their application in industrial processes.

Innovation Solution

A compact plasma generating device design featuring a high-voltage electrode, counter electrodes, a gas inlet, and a rotating body with a plasma nozzle, which eliminates the need for carbon brushes by using a high-voltage insulator and gas distributor to generate and distribute plasma efficiently, and includes a lip seal for bearing protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional plasma generating devices use carbon brushes for ground connection, then the device can operate, but dust and foreign material are generated and frequent maintenance is required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddust generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the carbon brush component entirely from the plasma generating device. Instead of using a carbon brush for ground connection, the invention employs a different structural approach where the rotating body is directly connected to the ground bearing through a sealed interface, eliminating the source of dust and foreign material generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical carbon brush contact system with a sealed bearing system. The ground bearing is protected by a lip seal that prevents contamination while maintaining the necessary electrical ground connection, substituting the worn mechanical contact with a sealed rotational interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If conventional plasma generating devices use carbon brushes, then the device can function, but frequent maintenance is required due to ground bearing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a lip seal around the ground bearing beforehand to prevent contamination from entering the bearing. This preventive measure protects the bearing from dust and foreign materials before they can cause damage, thereby extending maintenance intervals and enabling continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

By removing the carbon brush component that causes bearing damage, the patent eliminates the root cause of frequent maintenance requirements, allowing the device to operate continuously without regular intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If conventional plasma generating devices use complex structures like carbon brushes, then plasma can be generated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the device structure by removing the carbon brush and its associated mounting components. The ground connection is achieved through a more straightforward sealed bearing interface, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining or improving durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ground bearing in the patent serves multiple functions: it provides the ground electrical connection, supports the rotating body, and when protected by the lip seal, prevents contamination entry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate carbon brush components, simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design prevents dust and foreign material generation, reduces maintenance frequency, and enhances durability, allowing the device to be applied widely in industrial processes requiring plasma, with improved sealing and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a high-voltage electrode (120) disposed in a central area; a counter electrode (131, 132) disposed around the high-voltage electrode (120) and charged with electric power applied to the high-voltage electrode (120) to generate a high-voltage arc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

a gas inlet (140) provided between the high-voltage electrode (120) and the counter electrode (131, 132) and through which compressed air or gas is injected into a discharge head (190)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow distribution:

Implementation Method 3

A lip seal having excellent slip properties to prevent damage to the bearing may be further provided on the periphery of the bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3082384B1Plasma generating device
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 APPLIED PLASMA INC
  • EP3082384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3082384B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3082384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plasma generating device is disclosed. A plasma generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plasma generating module for generating plasma; and at least one plasma nozzle for externally discharging the plasma generated by the plasma generating module, wherein a rotating body is provided separately from the plasma generating module and is rotatably disposed on the outside of the plasma generating module.