| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 219121590 | Methods | 18 |
| 20090194513 | Method and apparatus for operating traveling spark igniter at high pressure - An ignition circuit and a method of operating an igniter (preferably a traveling spark igniter) in an internal combustion engine, including a high pressure engine. A high voltage is applied to electrodes of the igniter, sufficient to cause breakdown to occur between the electrodes, resulting in a high current electrical discharge in the igniter, over a surface of an isolator between the electrodes, and formation of a plasma kernel in a fuel-air mixture adjacent said surface. Following breakdown, a sequence of one or more lower voltage and lower current pulses is applied to said electrodes, with a low “simmer” current being sustained through the plasma between pulses, preventing total plasma recombination and allowing the plasma kernel to move toward a free end of the electrodes with each pulse. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090206064 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING THERMAL ENERGY - The invention relates to a method for producing thermal energy, wherein, by means of a plasma arc which is located between a cathode and an anode, light initial material that is suitable for fusion processes is put into the plasma state by supplying electric energy. Use is made of a cathode made of a metal that is suitable for allowing the particles which are produced in the plasma to be diffused and for allowing a fusion process to take place in the metal grid. The invention has a high degree of efficiency in corresponding systems such that said methods can be used anywhere where fossil and/or renewable and/or chemical fuels are used, in order to use the thermal energy directly or by conversion. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20100051594 | MICRO-ARC ALLOY CLEANING METHOD AND DEVICE - A cleaning device and method utilizes an electric circuit including a power supply electrically attached through a first lead to the alloy structure and a second lead connected to a probe. A protective atmosphere is provided over the surface of the alloy that is to be cleaned. Electric energy supplied by the power source generates an electric arc between the probe and the surface of the structure within the protective atmosphere. The electric interaction created by the electric arc and the surface of the alloy removes built up undesired material. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100163534 | ATMOSPHERIC-PLASMA PROCESSING METHOD FOR PROCESSING MATERIALS - A plasma treatment method for processing a material includes a step of subjecting the material to a substantially atmospheric-pressure plasma, thereby obviating the need of providing expensive vacuum apparatus and pumping assemblies, while facilitating a continuous and quick treatment even in a controlled working environment. Depending on the materials to be processed, several processing methods can be used. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100308021 | Ground Indicating Device - A device and method are provided for determining whether sufficient ground exists to perform processes such requiring the establishment of an electrical arc such arc welding or plasma cutting. The device is capable of fastening to at least one object placed in between a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The contact surfaces are composed of conductive material but separated by non-conductive material. The device further includes at least one light bulb coupled with an electrical circuit such that the electrical circuit coupled to the light bulb, broken only by non-conductive material separating the first contact surface and the second contact surface. A method of determining whether such sufficient ground exists by connecting an electrical circuit, coupled with a light bulb and broken only by the object, is also provided. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308022 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PLASMA TREATMENT OF RUNNING METAL SUBSTRATES - The invention relates to a method and a device for the plasma treatment of metal substrates or insulating substrates ( | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110000896 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING ION COMPOSITION OF ION SOURCES - A method is disclosed for adjusting the composition of plasmas used in plasma doping, plasma deposition and plasma etching techniques. The disclosed method enables the plasma composition to be controlled by modifying the energy distribution of the electrons present in the plasma. Energetic electrons are produced in the plasma by accelerating electrons in the plasma using very fast voltage pulses. The pulses are long enough to influence the electrons, but too fast to affect the ions significantly. Collisions between the energetic electrons and the constituents of the plasma result in changes in the plasma composition. The plasma composition can then be optimized to meet the requirements of the specific process being used. This can entail changing the ratio of ion species in the plasma, changing the ratio of ionization to dissociation, or changing the excited state population of the plasma. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110120980 | System and Method for Aerodynamic Flow Control - A vortex generator system comprises one or more plasma streamwise vortex generators (PSVGs) or plasma wedge vortex generators (PWVGs). The PSVGs and PWVGs each comprises a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric layer. The first electrode extends in a longitudinal direction. The PSVGs and PWVGs can be installed on a surface arranged to receive airflow in a certain flow direction. The PSVGs have a rectangular first electrode is exposed and extends at least somewhat parallel to the expected flow direction, whereas the first electrode of the PWVGs is more triangular in shape. When an AC voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes, a plasma forms along edges of the first electrode. The plasma imposes a body force in a cross-flow direction, which induces a cross-flow velocity that, in combination with the mean flow, produces streamwise-oriented counter-rotating vortices. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20120118862 | Apparatus and Method of Oxidation Utilizing a Gliding Electric Arc - A method and apparatus for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120211473 | HIGH DOSE IMPLANTATION STRIP (HDIS) IN H2 BASE CHEMISTRY - Plasma is generated using elemental hydrogen, a weak oxidizing agent, and a fluorine containing gas. An inert gas is introduced to the plasma downstream of the plasma source and upstream of a showerhead that directs gas mixture into the reaction chamber where the mixture reacts with the high-dose implant resist. The process removes both the crust and bulk resist layers at a high strip rate, and leaves the work piece surface substantially residue free with low silicon loss. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120261392 | METHOD FOR STARTING A MULTI-GAS PLASMA ARC TORCH - A method of starting a multi-gas plasma arc torch for cutting a workpiece is provided that includes directing a pre-flow gas within the plasma arc torch and switching the pre-flow gas to a plasma gas before a pilot arc is transferred to the workpiece. The plasma gas is supplied initially at a first gas pressure when the pre-flow gas is switched to the plasma gas. The gas pressure is switched to a second gas pressure that is different than the first gas pressure after the pilot arc is transferred. The method provides a smooth transition from the pre-flow gas to the plasma gas and reduces the time delay in replacing the pre-flow gas with the plasma gas in the plasma arc torch, thereby improving cut or marking quality. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20130001204 | Method and Apparatus for Surface Treatment of Materials Utilizing Multiple Combined Energy Sources - Material treatment is effected in a treatment region by at least two energy sources, such as (i) an atmospheric pressure plasma and (ii) an ultraviolet laser directed into the plasma and optionally onto the material being treated. Precursor materials may be dispensed before, and finishing material may be dispensed after treatment. Electrodes for generating the plasma may comprise two spaced-apart rollers. Nip rollers adjacent the electrode rollers define a semi-airtight cavity, and may have a metallic outer layer. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130175246 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLASMA GENERATION - A system and method for generating a plasma. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed adjacent to one another, not touching one another. A first power supply supplies power at the second electrode, and a second power supply generates a magnetic field. A sequencer coordinates a discharge of power from the first power supply and a discharge of power from the second power supply. The first power supply may be is configured such that the discharge of power from the first power supply generates a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second power supply is configured such that the magnetic field it generates rotates the plasma. Depending upon disclosed relative geometries of the electrodes and the magnetic field, the plasma is shaped alternatively as a disc, a dome, a sleeve, or a polygonal sheet. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130233835 | WATER-VAPOR PLASMA TORCH, AND WEAR-DETECTION AND PROCESS-CONTROL METHOD TO BE USED WITH SUCH A WATER-VAPOR PLASMA TORCH - The invention relates to a water-vapor plasma torch ( | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130248498 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TREATING SUBSTRATE - A substrate-treating apparatus includes a process chamber including a space therein, a lower electrode which is in the space of the process chamber and supports the substrate, an upper electrode which faces the lower electrode in the process chamber, a high frequency supply line which includes a feed point which applies a high frequency power to the lower electrode, and a modulator which asymmetrically supplies a dielectric substance to a lower portion of the lower electrode with reference to a center portion of the lower electrode. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130306607 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED CUTTING LIFE OF A PLASMA ARC TORCH - An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a cavity in a front face at a first end of the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the cavity. The first end of the electrode body is formed of high purity copper containing at least 99.81% copper. The insert has a first end and a second end and is formed of a high emissivity material. A diameter of the first end of the insert is less than a diameter of a second end of the insert. An electrode is compressed to retain the insert using radial compression. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode, and a method of operation of an electrode in a plasma torch. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20140326704 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A PLASMA ARC TORCH HAVING MULTIPLE OPERATING MODES - The present invention provides a multi-mode plasma arc torch that includes a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel. Adjusting a position of the electrode with respect to the hollow electrode causes the multi-mode plasma arc torch to operate in a dead short resistive mode, a submerged arc mode, an electrolysis mode, a glow discharge mode or a plasma arc mode. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20160120014 | SINGLE OR MULTI-PART INSULATING COMPONENT FOR A PLASMA TORCH, PARTICULARLY A PLASMA CUTTING TORCH, AND ASSEMBLIES AND PLASMA TORCHES HAVING THE SAME - The invention relates to a single or multipart insulating component for a plasma torch, particularly a plasma cutting torch, for electrical insulation between at least two electrically conductive components of the plasma torch, characterized in that the insulating component consists of an electrically non-conductive and easily thermally conductive material, or at least one part thereof consists of an electrically non-conductive and easily thermally conductive material. The invention further relates to assemblies and plasma torches having the same and to a method for processing, plasma cutting and plasma welding. | 04-28-2016 |
