Primary-Current Waveform Detection for Atmospheric Plasma Inverters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in detecting faults and operational states of atmospheric pressure plasmas due to dynamic impedance changes and current surges during power coupling, which are not well-suited for irregular or three-dimensional surfaces and require vacuum conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system using a power coupler, current sampling circuit, and programmed microprocessor to analyze the waveform of current pulses through a transformer to determine operational states of atmospheric pressure plasmas, including no plasma, plasma origination, and plasma maintenance states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct voltage measurement is used on high voltage secondary sides to detect plasma states, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses current waveform measurement on the primary side of the transformer as an intermediary method to indirectly detect plasma states on the secondary side. Instead of directly measuring high voltage on the secondary side, the system measures current on the low voltage primary side, which serves as a safe intermediary that provides the same diagnostic information without the hazards of high voltage exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electrical copy or representation of the plasma state conditions by measuring the reflected current waveform on the primary side. The current waveform acts as an electrical copy that mirrors the plasma impedance changes and operational states, allowing indirect observation of plasma conditions without direct contact with the high voltage plasma environment.
2Reliability
If separate sensors are installed for plasma state detection, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing current sampling circuit serve multiple functions: it simultaneously provides current limiting protection and plasma state detection. The current sampling circuit that was originally designed for power control now also acts as a diagnostic sensor, eliminating the need for separate detection sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing current sampling infrastructure to perform plasma state detection without requiring external or separate sensing components. The current sampling circuit serves itself dual purposes, and the plasma detection functionality is derived from the same hardware already present in the power coupling system.
3Ease of operation
If atmospheric pressure plasma is used instead of vacuum plasma, then ease of operation is improved, but power coupling reliability deteriorates due to dynamic impedance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the primary current waveform and using it to detect plasma ignition and operational states. The system uses the current waveform information as feedback to understand plasma conditions and adjust operation accordingly, improving the reliability of power coupling in atmospheric pressure environments where impedance changes are dynamic.
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 states without direct voltage measurement on high voltage secondary sides, allowing for efficient plasma operation and fault detection on non-vacuum surfaces, reducing the need for separate sensors and providing real-time system monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a power coupler for coupling power into the atmospheric pressure plasma
Data Source
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Figure 2
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.