Plasma Waveguide Step and Block Parts for Microwave Leakage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plasma waveguides face issues with effective electric field concentration and microwave leakage, leading to reduced plasma generation efficiency and damage to external systems due to the 3-stub matching system's design limitations.

Innovation Solution

A plasma waveguide system incorporating a step part with a height reduction and a block part of predetermined height at the inner surface, opposite to the step part, to enhance microwave concentration and prevent leakage, with the block part's location being adjustable and separate from the waveguide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a 3-stub matching system is used to match impedance and transmit maximum power, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but electromagnetic field leaks out of the waveguide causing arcing and requiring expensive sealing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission efficiencyVSAvoidelectromagnetic field leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the matching function from the traditional 3-stub system that penetrates through the waveguide and replaces it with an integrated stepped waveguide structure. The stepped structure provides impedance transformation without requiring external stubs that would penetrate and cause leakage, thereby eliminating the harmful electromagnetic field leakage while maintaining power transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the impedance matching function and the waveguide structure into a single integrated stepped waveguide. Instead of separate matching stubs attached to the waveguide, the matching sections are built into the waveguide itself through stepped transitions, eliminating the need for separate components that would cause leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If a tapered waveguide structure is used to concentrate electric field, then electromagnetic wave transmission is improved, but electric field concentration effect at the plasma generation chamber is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field concentrationVSAvoidplasma generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different structural characteristics at different locations of the waveguide. The stepped sections provide gradual impedance transformation along the propagation path, while the final section provides strong electric field concentration at the plasma generation chamber. This local differentiation of structural quality optimizes both transmission and concentration effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses curved transition sections between the stepped portions and the final concentration section. These curved transitions smoothly guide the electromagnetic energy from the impedance-matching stepped sections into the high-concentration region, preventing abrupt discontinuities that would cause reflections and loss of concentration effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Measurement precision

If fine tuning of microwaves is required, then a 3-stub matching system is used, but the system becomes complex and requires separate sealing apparatus to prevent leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrowave tuning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stepped waveguide structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides impedance transformation for power matching, enables fine tuning of microwave frequency through adjustable step dimensions, and prevents electromagnetic leakage by eliminating penetrating stubs. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining tuning precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses adjustable parameters of the stepped structure (step height, step width, step spacing) to achieve fine tuning of microwave characteristics. By varying these geometric parameters, precise control over impedance transformation and frequency response is achieved without requiring complex external tuning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration maximizes microwave concentration and matching within the waveguide, reducing microwave leakage and preventing damage to external systems, while allowing for adjustable and flexible design based on plasma generation requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetron 110 which generates microwaves and a waveguide 100 for transmitting the micrawves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an electric field concentrates on the plasma generation unit of the waveguide where a plasma is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field concentration: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP2785153B1Plasma waveguide using step part and block part
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 TRIPLE CORES KOREA CO LTD
  • EP2785153B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2785153B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2785153B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

In a magnetron and a plasma waveguide through which a microwave oscillated from the magnetron moves, there is provided a plasma waveguide including a plurality of step parts formed at any one side on an inner side surface of the waveguide, and a block part of a predetermined height formed at any other side on the inner side surface of the waveguide, wherein the block part is formed at a side opposite to a boundary part between the plurality of step parts. The present disclosure forms the step part having a height decreasing to a predetermined level formed within the waveguide, and provides the block part of the predetermined height at the inner side surface of the waveguide opposite to the step part of the waveguide. Thereby, a problem with microwave leaks involved in a 3-stub system penetrating through an overall waveguide and a problem with damage to an external system due to microwaves traveling outward may be effectively solved. Further, because the block part of the predetermined height provided at the inner side surface of the waveguide is located at an opposite surface to the step part, an effect of microwave concentration within the waveguide having a gradual reduction in height in a microwave propagation direction is maximized.