Plasma Jet Split-Ring Resonator for Low-Power Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plasma jets are inefficient, bulky, and expensive, requiring high power consumption and posing safety concerns due to high voltages, making them unsuitable for many practical applications, especially at atmospheric pressure.
Innovation Solution
A plasma jet assembly utilizing a dielectric substrate with metallic layers and conductors forming a split-ring resonator structure, coupled with electromagnetic radiation and a gas passageway, which concentrates electromagnetic fields to achieve efficient plasma ignition with low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-voltage pulses or high-power RF sources are used to ignite and sustain plasma, then plasma can be generated, but the devices become bulky, expensive, and energy-hungry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonant oscillation at microwave frequencies to generate plasma. The resonant structure allows the system to store and enhance electromagnetic energy, enabling plasma ignition and sustenance at much lower power levels compared to non-resonant methods. This vibrational resonance mechanism is the core innovation that reduces power consumption while maintaining plasma generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional DC or RF excitation to microwave frequency operation, fundamentally changing the operating parameters. By operating at resonant microwave frequencies and utilizing dielectric resonators, the system achieves enhanced electromagnetic field concentration that enables plasma generation with significantly reduced power consumption and simplified device structure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If microwave resonant structures are used to concentrate electromagnetic fields, then plasma efficiency improves and power consumption decreases, but the ignited plasma region is confined to a minimal volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dielectric resonator structure that can be segmented or configured in different geometries (cylindrical, spherical, planar) to control the plasma region volume. The resonator design allows for adjustable plasma generation area while maintaining field concentration, enabling optimization between energy efficiency and plasma volume based on specific application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional dielectric resonator structures to concentrate electromagnetic fields. By transitioning from two-dimensional planar structures to three-dimensional resonant cavities, the system achieves enhanced field concentration in a compact volume while maintaining the ability to generate plasma of desired size through geometric configuration of the resonator.
3Power
If non-resonant microwave plasma sources are used, then plasma can be generated, but they require high power consumption and are bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonant oscillation at microwave frequencies to generate plasma. The resonant structure allows the system to store and enhance electromagnetic energy, enabling plasma ignition and sustenance at much lower power levels compared to non-resonant methods. This vibrational resonance mechanism is the core innovation that reduces power consumption while maintaining plasma generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional DC or RF excitation to microwave frequency operation, fundamentally changing the operating parameters. By operating at resonant microwave frequencies and utilizing dielectric resonators, the system achieves enhanced electromagnetic field concentration that enables plasma generation with significantly reduced power consumption and simplified device structure.
4Power
If high voltages are used in plasma generation, then plasma can be ignited, but safety concerns arise and electromagnetic compatibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric resonator as an intermediary structure between the power source and the plasma. This resonator mediates the electromagnetic energy transfer, concentrating fields in a controlled manner to achieve plasma ignition at low voltages. The dielectric material acts as an intermediary that enhances field concentration without requiring high voltage direct contact, thereby improving safety and EM compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional high-voltage electrical breakdown mechanisms with resonant microwave heating and dielectric field concentration. Instead of relying on high voltage to initiate plasma, the system uses resonant electromagnetic energy storage and release to achieve breakdown at much lower voltages, substituting the electrical breakdown mechanism with a resonant thermal and field-based process that is safer and more EM-compatible.
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 plasma jet assembly achieves high efficiency, lower energy consumption, and a compact form factor, enabling safe and versatile applications in fields such as plasma medicine, decontamination, material processing, and propulsion.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing resonators that can concentrate the electromagnetic fields over a small gap. In this case, even with considerably low levels of input power, the magnitude of EM fields over those critical gaps can reach the breakdown threshold, resulting in gas breakdown and plasma formation
Implementation Method 2
The main principle is to utilize resonators that can concentrate the electromagnetic fields over a small gap. The higher the quality factor of the resonator, the higher the field enhancement
Implementation Method 3
The dielectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first metallic layer disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate; a second metallic layer disposed on the second surface of the dielectric substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Plasma jet assemblies utilizing dielectric substrates, and methods of making the same and using the same, are described.