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US3579027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Igniting aid for high efficiency plasma producers
Assignee: Gebrueder Boehler and Co AG
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Filing: 1968-03-04
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1988-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An ignition device for high efficiency plasma producers, which device precludes the necessity for extremely high voltages to produce the initial ignition of the plasma producer by providing high specific ionic densities between the electrodes thereof. The ignition device consists of an annular passage surrounding a rod electrode and through which ionizable gas is passed. The cylindrical wall which defines the outer periphery of the annulus continues axially beyond the end of the rod electrode to form a first tubular passage. A further cylindrical wall forms a second larger diametered tubular passage beyond said first tubular passage. An arc is struck between the rod electrode and the cylindrical wall forming the second tubular passage, which arc has electric lines of force in the form of a cone with the apex pointing upstream the direction of the flow of the ionizable gas. The cone-shaped arc has an azimuthal magnetic field on the inside and outside thereof, and as the gas goes through the arc it is partially ionized and the opposite charge carriers are radially separated by the azimuthal magnetic field. By virtue of the separation, there is less tendency for the opposite charge carriers to recombine, and consequently there is a higher specific ionic density when the gas is introduced between the electrodes of the high efficiency plasma producer.
Inventors
- 👤 Maximilian Pater
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:46
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/26; H05H1/32; H05H1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of igniting a high efficiency plasma producer with relatively low voltage comprising the steps of passing a stream of ionizable gas through an ignition aid, said gas following a path defined by a rod electrode and a surrounding isolating body of said aid; producing an electric arc discharge between the end portion of said rod electrode and a counterelectrode radially spaced and axially beyond said rod electrode; the electric lines of force of said arc being inclined in the form of a cone with the apex thereof pointing upstream the direction of flow of said ionizable gas in at least that area of said arc through which said gas passes thereby producing an azimuthal magnetic field, whereby said gas passing through said inclined arc is at least partially ionized; radially separating, by virtue of said azimuthal magnetic field, the opposite charge carriers in said partially ionized gas to minimize recombination of said carriers and thereby create a high specific ionic density in said gas; and then introducing said high specific ionic density gas into the area between the electrodes of the high efficiency plasma producer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of igniting a high efficiency plasma producer with relatively low voltage comprising the steps of passing a stream of ionizable gas through an ignition aid, said gas following a path defined by a rod electrode and a surrounding isolating body of said aid; producing an electric arc discharge between the end portion of said rod electrode and a counterelectrode radially spaced and axially beyond said rod electrode; the electric lines of force of said arc being inclined in the form of a cone with the apex thereof pointing upstream the direction of flow of said ionizable gas in at least that area of said arc through which said gas passes thereby producing an azimuthal magnetic field, whereby said gas passing through said inclined arc is at least partially ionized; radially separating, by virtue of said azimuthal magnetic field, the opposite charge carriers in said partially ionized gas to minimize recombination of said carriers and thereby create a high specific ionic density in said gas; and then introducing said high specific ionic density gas into the area between the electrodes of the high efficiency plasma producer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein backfiring of said arc is prevented by extending said isolating body axially beyond said end portion of the rod electrode to form a first tubular passage and further providing a second and radially larger tubular passage, coaxial with the first, and formed by said high efficiency plasma producer acting as said counterelectrode, immediately in the direction of gas flow beyond said first tubular passage, so said gas flows along said path and successively through said two tubular passages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
210 words
A high efficiency plasma producer ignition aid utilizing relatively low voltage comprising an isolating body having an inner cylindrical wall in which a rod electrode is concentrically mounted and radially spaced to form an annular passage, said cylindrical wall extending axially beyond one end of said rod electrode forming a first tubular passage; a second cylindrical wall coaxial and of larger diameter than the first forming a second tubular passage immediately succeeding said first tubular passage; means for feeding ionizable gas to the end of said annular passage opposite said one end of said rod electrode; means for applying electric potentials having opposite signs respectively to said rod electrode and said second cylindrical wall to form an arc having electric lines of force inclined in the form of a cone with the apex thereof pointing upstream the direction of flow of said ionizable gas in at least that area of said arc through which said gas passes so that said gas passing through said inclined arc is partially ionized and the opposite charge carriers are radially separated by an azimuthal magnetic field to form a high specific ionic density in said gas, which high specific ionic density gas is then introduced to the electrodes of tHe high efficiency plasma producer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
210 words
A high efficiency plasma producer ignition aid utilizing relatively low voltage comprising an isolating body having an inner cylindrical wall in which a rod electrode is concentrically mounted and radially spaced to form an annular passage, said cylindrical wall extending axially beyond one end of said rod electrode forming a first tubular passage; a second cylindrical wall coaxial and of larger diameter than the first forming a second tubular passage immediately succeeding said first tubular passage; means for feeding ionizable gas to the end of said annular passage opposite said one end of said rod electrode; means for applying electric potentials having opposite signs respectively to said rod electrode and said second cylindrical wall to form an arc having electric lines of force inclined in the form of a cone with the apex thereof pointing upstream the direction of flow of said ionizable gas in at least that area of said arc through which said gas passes so that said gas passing through said inclined arc is partially ionized and the opposite charge carriers are radially separated by an azimuthal magnetic field to form a high specific ionic density in said gas, which high specific ionic density gas is then introduced to the electrodes of tHe high efficiency plasma producer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ignition aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the electrodes consists of electron emitting material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ignition aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first cylindrical wall is made of heat resistant material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ignition aid as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a securing device about said isolating body to secure said ignition aid to said high efficiency plasma producer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ignition aid as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second cylindrical wall is part of the high efficiency plasma producer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |