Plasma Probe Power Circuit With Capacitance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma power supply designs face challenges in efficiently generating non-thermal atmospheric plasma due to variations in transmission line impedance, which affect the operating frequency and voltage, leading to intermittent plasma generation and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a power supply circuitry with a driver circuit, output stage, and plasma probe, featuring a plurality of transformers and adjustable compensation capacitors to resonate at specific frequencies, allowing for flexible matching of transmission line capacitance and maintaining efficient plasma generation across different probe lengths and capacitance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed capacitance value is used in the plasma power supply, then the circuit can be simpler, but it cannot compensate for variations in transmission line capacitance, leading to frequency drift and intermittent plasma generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic capacitance compensation mechanism where the compensation capacitor value can be adjusted based on the actual transmission line capacitance. This allows the LC resonant circuit to maintain its resonant frequency despite variations in transmission line characteristics, ensuring consistent plasma generation without requiring a completely fixed design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the capacitance parameter of the compensation capacitor to match variations in transmission line capacitance. By adjusting this parameter, the overall LC circuit maintains its resonant properties across different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Length of moving object
If the transmission line is made longer to reach distant targets, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the intrinsic capacitance increases, causing frequency deviation and reduced plasma generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating and compensating for the capacitance effect of the transmission line. Before the frequency deviation can occur, the compensation capacitor is selected or adjusted to counterbalance the intrinsic capacitance of the transmission line, thereby maintaining the resonant frequency even for longer transmission lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement or estimation of the transmission line capacitance and pre-configures the compensation capacitor accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that when the system operates, the frequency remains stable regardless of the transmission line length.
3Productivity
If high voltage is applied to generate plasma, then plasma generation efficiency is improved, but voltage fluctuations due to impedance variations can cause intermittent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the actual operating conditions and adjust the compensation capacitor selection or value accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that voltage remains stable and plasma generation continues efficiently without interruption, even when transmission line impedance varies.
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
This solution ensures consistent and efficient plasma generation by compensating for variations in transmission line capacitance, maintaining high-frequency operation and voltage, and accommodating different plasma probe configurations, thereby improving the reliability and versatility of plasma power supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sum of the capacitance of the selected and/or adjusted compensation capacitor and the intrinsic capacitance of the shorter transmission line is matched to the intrinsic capacitance of the longest supported transmission line
Data Source
AI summary
Power circuitry for non-thermal plasma generation; optionally therapeutic plasma. Non-thermal plasma is generated distally by a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., diameter<5 mm), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A plasma probe power transmission cable is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance contributing to and constraining the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation by feedback. Variable length, construction and/or manufacture (for example) of the plasma probe potentially lead to different time constants. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages, allowing the final-stage transformer inductance to be selected with sufficient headroom to allow the use of compensation componentry to mask probe variability and maintain a targeted operating frequency. Various configurations for selecting and/or providing compensation componentry are disclosed.