Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Nozzle for Uniform Glass Edge Curing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) used for curing glass materials suffer from inconsistent temperatures and turbulent flow, leading to uneven curing and potential damage due to over or under treatment of glass surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design that preferentially directs plasma off-axis and rotates to create a consistent plasma plume with low temperature differences, using a housing with a specific end surface angle and rotation to ensure uniform plasma distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If plasma is directed toward the center of the nozzle, then plasma concentration is increased at the center, but temperature becomes inconsistent and curing becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The end surface of the nozzle is designed with an asymmetric angle (1-60 degrees relative to the perpendicular plane), causing plasma to preferentially flow off-axis rather than concentrating at the center. This asymmetric geometry redistributes plasma flow to achieve more uniform temperature distribution across the treatment area while maintaining adequate plasma concentration.
2Quantity of substance
If plasma flows axially through the nozzle, then plasma concentration is maximized, but turbulent flow occurs causing overcuring and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The angled end surface creates asymmetric plasma flow that preferentially exits off-axis. This asymmetric configuration stabilizes the plasma jet by reducing turbulence that occurs with purely axial flow, thereby preventing overcuring and damage while maintaining reliable and consistent curing results.
3Power
If the nozzle directs plasma centrally, then treatment intensity is increased, but uneven curing and material damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The angled end surface (1-60 degrees) redirects plasma flow off-axis, distributing treatment intensity more uniformly across the glass material surface. This prevents localized overheating and overcuring at the center while maintaining adequate treatment intensity across the entire treatment area, thereby improving curing uniformity.
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 solution achieves consistent curing of glass edges with reduced temperature variations, eliminating over/under treatment issues and improving the quality of the glass surface finish.
Implementation Method 1
A first point on the first end surface at the inner wall may be disposed downstream of a second point on the first end surface so that a plasma generated by the nozzle may preferentially flow off axis
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more other aspects of the present disclosure, a nozzle for an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) includes a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an inner wall defining a channel extending axially through the housing from the upstream end and the downstream end. The nozzle further includes a cathode disposed within the channel proximate to the upstream end of the housing. The downstream end of the housing includes a first end surface, the first end surface bisects at least a portion of the channel to form an opening through the first end surface, and a first point on the first end surface at the inner wall is disposed downstream of a second point on the first end surface so that a plasma generated by the nozzle preferentially flows off axis in a direction of the second point.