Regulation of plasma generators

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of stabilizing liquid to be supplied is kept constant by measuring the amount of stabilizing liquid being supplied to the plasma arc discharge space, and controlling the input pressure of said stabilizing liquid with said measuring step.

Claim 4

The method as set forth in claim 2 in which the withdrawing step is accomplished through at least one outlet duct connected to the plasma arc discharge space, and including the step of adjusting the pressure of the withdrawn circulated gaseous and liquid portions of the stabilizing liquid in the at least one outlet duct in accordance with the inlet pressure of the stabilizing liquid being supplied to the plasma arc discharge space.

Claim 5

The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the measuring step is accomplished in an inlet supply duct for supplying the stabilizing liquid to the plasma arc discharge space, the withdrawing step is accomplished through at least one outlet duct connected to the plasma arc discharge space, and including regulating the pressure of the gaseous and liquid portions of the stabilizing liquid in said at least one outlet duct in dependence on the amount of stabilizing liquid flowing into the plasma arc discharge space through said inlet supply duct.

Claim 6

The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the withdrawing step includes recycling a part of the withdrawn liquid portion of the stabilizing liquid into the plasma arc discharge space in the step of continuously supplying stabilizing liquid thereto.

Claim 7

The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein an inlet supply duct connected to the plasma arc discharge space supplies a constant amount of stabilizing liquid to the plasma arc discharge space independent of the pressure applied by the plasma arc to the stabilizing liquid, a further supply duct connected for supplying stabilizing liquid to the plasma arc discharge space, and altering the pressure of the stabilizing liquid in said further supply duct with the pressure of the stabilizing liquid in said inlet supply duct.

Claim 8

The method as set forth in claim 4 and including separating the gaseous and liquid portions of the stabilizing liquid withdrawn through the outlet duct, and supplying at least a part of the amount of the separated stabilizing liquid under pressure to the inlet supply duct to recycle the same to the plasma arc discharge space when the amount of stabilizing liquid in the continuously supplying step is not maintained constant by the step of controlling the input pressure of the stabilizing liquid in the inlet supply duct with said measuring step.

Claim 9

A liquid regulating system for a circulating liquid stabilized arc discharge plasma generator of the type having a pair of electrode means adapted to have a high current electric arc generated therebetween, means connected between said electrodes to circulate liquid around the electric arc to stabilize the arc, a plurality of restrictors arranged between said means and one of said electrode means forming a withdrawal chamber around the electric arc for circulated stabilizing liquid, a liquid inlet connected to said means, a liquid outlet connected to said withdrawal chamber, comprising a source of stabilizing liquid, at least one supply duct connected to supply stabilizing liquid from said source to said liquid inlet for circulation around the electric arc, a measuring device connected in said supply duct to measure the amount of stabilizing liquid flowing therethrough, pressure regulating means connected in said supply duct between said source and said measuring device, transmitting means connected between said measuring device and said pressure regulating means whereby said measuring device controls the pressure regulating means to control the pressure of the stabilizing liquid in said supply duct to maintain constant the rate of supply of said stabilizing liquid to said liquid inlet independent of variations in the pressure applied by the electric arc to the stabilizing liquid circulated around the electric arc by said means.

Claim 10

A liquid regulating system for a circulating liquid stabilized arc discharge plasma generator of the type having a pair of electrode means adapted to have a high current electric arc generated therebetween, means connected between said electrodes to circulate liquid around the electric arc to stabilize the arc, a plurality of restrictors arranged between said means and one of said electrode means forming a withdrawal chamber around the electric arc for circulated stabilizing liquid, a liquid inlet connected to said means, a liquid outlet connected to said withdrawal chamber, comprising a source of stabilizing liquid, at least one supply duct connected to supply stabilizing liquid from said source to said liquid inlet for circulation around the electric arc, a measuring device connected in said supply duct to measure the amount of stabilizing liquid flowing therethrough, pressure regulating means connected in said supply duct between said source and said measuring device, transmitting means connected between said measuring device and said pressure regulating means whereby said measuring device controls the pressure regulating means to control the pressure of the stabilizing liquid in said supply duct to maintain constant the rate of supply of said stabilizing liquid to said liquid inlet independent of variations in the pressure applied by the electric arc to the stabilizing liquid circulated around the electric arc by said means.

Claim 11

A liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a second pressure regulating means and a second measuring device for measuring the amount of stabilizing liquid to be withdrawn are connected in series in said liquid outlet, and second transmitting means connected between said second measuring device and said second pressure regulating means whereby said second measuring device controls the latter to control the flow of stabilizing liquid from said liquid outlet.

Claim 12

A liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a discharge duct connected to said liquid outlet, a pump connected in said discharge duct, at least one flow duct connected to said discharge duct on the opposite side of the pump from the liquid outlet, a pressure regulator connected in said flow duct, and a recycling duct having one end connected to the opposite side of the pump from the liquid outlet and the opposite end connected to said at least one supply duct between said measuring device and said pressure regulating means for recirculating circulated stabilizing liquid from said withdrawal chamber back into said means to circulate liquid around the electric arc.

Claim 13

A liquid regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a discharge duct connected to said liquid outlet, a pump having an output connected in said discharge duct, a flow divider connected to the output of said pump, a feed-back duct connected between said flow divider and said supply duct, a second pressure regulating means and second measuring device connected in series in said feed-back duct and a second transmitting means connected between said second measuring device and said second pressure regulating means to control feed-back of a constant amount of circulated stabilizing liquid into said supply duct, and a third pressure regulating means connected to said flow divider and having a control connection with said supply duct for regulating the pressure of the circulated stabilizing liquid to be discharged from said liquid outlet in dependence on the pressure in said supply duct.

Claim 14

A regulating system as set forth in claim 8 including a pressure enclosure which serves as a flow divider, a second pressure regulating means connected to said pressure enclosure, a discharge duct connected to convey circulated stabilizing liquid from said liquid outlet to said pressure enclosure, and a pump connected in said discharge duct for pumping said circulated stabilizing liquid through said discharge duct.