Plasma Inverter Waveform Detection for Arc State and Fault Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma technologies face challenges in detecting faults and operational states, particularly at atmospheric pressure, due to dynamic impedance changes and the difficulty in coupling power effectively, which limits their application on irregular or rough surfaces and requires vacuum conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a power coupler, current sampling circuit, and programmed microprocessor that analyzes current pulse waveforms to determine operational states of atmospheric pressure plasma, distinguishing between no plasma, plasma origination, and plasma maintenance states, using a ballast transformer with leakage inductance for resonance and current limitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma is used at reduced pressures, then plasma generation is achieved, but the substrate must be placed under vacuum and must be capable of surviving under such reduced pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure, enabling plasma generation without vacuum conditions and thus expanding substrate adaptability to include components that cannot withstand vacuum
2Adaptability or versatility
If plasma is used at or above atmospheric pressure, then vacuum requirements are avoided, but the coupling of power into atmospheric pressure plasmas is not straight forward due to dynamic impedance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resonant inductive coupling system as an intermediary between the power source and atmospheric pressure plasma, using magnetic resonance to mediate the energy transfer and overcome the impedance mismatch problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes resonant frequency transitions and impedance phase changes to optimize power coupling, by tuning the system to resonate at specific frequencies where the plasma load presents a favorable impedance for efficient energy transfer
3Measurement precision
If conventional fault detection methods are used in plasma systems, then measurement is achieved, but high-voltage measurement requirements increase system complexity and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling intermediary that allows indirect measurement of plasma parameters through magnetic field sensing, eliminating the need for direct high-voltage electrical contact and associated safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical measurement mechanisms with magnetic field-based sensing, substituting electrical contact with magnetic coupling to achieve fault detection without high-voltage measurement requirements
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
Enables reliable detection of plasma operational states without the need for high-voltage measurement, allowing for efficient power coupling and maintenance of atmospheric pressure plasmas, suitable for various surfaces and avoiding vacuum requirements.
Implementation Method 1
using a ballast transformer with leakage inductance for resonance and current limitation
Implementation Method 2
a ballast transformer with leakage inductance for resonance and current limitation
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining an operational state of an atmospheric pressure plasma. The system has a transformer for coupling power into the atmospheric pressure plasma, a current sampling circuit configured to sample at least one current pulse flowing through a primary winding of the transformer, and a programmed microprocessor configured to determine, from a waveform of the current pulse, the operational state of the atmospheric pressure plasma. The operational state is one of: a no plasma state, a plasma origination state indicative of an ignited arc expanding into a plasma by gas flow thereinto, and a plasma maintenance state indicative of the plasma being expanded.