US3673375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Long arc column plasma generator and method
Assignee: Plasma Energy Corp
•
Filing: 1971-07-26
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A long arc column plasma generator and method provide a means and method for initiating and sustaining an exceptionally long transferred arc. The improved vortex strength, mass flow rate and radial pressure gradient are obtained by a new relationship between the nozzle length, the nozzle diameter, and the vortex chamber width.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvador L Camacho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:28
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/48; H05H1/26; H05H1/32; H05H1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus adapted to generate a long arc high-temperature plasma between the apparatus and an electrical conductor in an arc circuit comprising, in combination: a. a cylindrical shaped electrode; b. a gas-directing nozzle axially aligned with, forwardly spaced and insulated from said electrode and having an internal diameter designated C and a length designated B and with said electrode providing a vortex forming gas chamber of a width designated A, said dimension A being selected as the minimum width at which a vortex strength of 0.25 Mach is obtained when B is of minimum arc sustaining width and C is equal to the internal diameter of said electrode, and B and C having the reLationship B/C > 0.2 for the transferred mode and B/C > OR = 4 for the non-transferred mode; and c. gas supply means for introducing an arc gas into said chamber to produce a vortical flow in said chamber and nozzle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus adapted to generate a long arc high-temperature plasma between the apparatus and an electrical conductor in an arc circuit comprising, in combination: a. a cylindrical shaped electrode; b. a gas-directing nozzle axially aligned with, forwardly spaced and insulated from said electrode and having an internal diameter designated C and a length designated B and with said electrode providing a vortex forming gas chamber of a width designated A, said dimension A being selected as the minimum width at which a vortex strength of 0.25 Mach is obtained when B is of minimum arc sustaining width and C is equal to the internal diameter of said electrode, and B and C having the reLationship B/C > 0.2 for the transferred mode and B/C > OR = 4 for the non-transferred mode; and c. gas supply means for introducing an arc gas into said chamber to produce a vortical flow in said chamber and nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means to direct said plasma against a workpiece comprising an electrical conductor and which is in the arc circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including electrical conducting means spaced forward of and axially aligned with said nozzle and effective to direct the plasma against a workpiece comprising an electrical non-conductor and said electrical conducting means is in said arc circuit.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of constructing and operating a long arc high-temperature plasma generator of the type having a cylindrical shaped electrode, a gas directing nozzle, a vortex forming gas chamber and gas supply means, said method being with respect to the vortex chamber width, the nozzle internal diameter and nozzle length comprising the steps: a. while maintaining the nozzle internal diameter at a dimension designated C which is equal to the internal diameter of the electrode and maintaining the nozzle length designated B at a minimum arc sustaining width, determining the minimum vortex chamber width designated A at which a vortex strength of Mach 0.25 is obtained; and b. then while maintaining said vortex chamber width A as so determined, operating said generator in the transferred mode with said dimensions B and C having the relationship B/C > 0.2 and in the non-transferred mode with said dimensions B and C having the relationship B/C > or = 4.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of constructing and operating a long arc high-temperature plasma generator of the type having a cylindrical shaped electrode, a gas directing nozzle, a vortex forming gas chamber and gas supply means, said method being with respect to the vortex chamber width, the nozzle internal diameter and nozzle length comprising the steps: a. while maintaining the nozzle internal diameter at a dimension designated C which is equal to the internal diameter of the electrode and maintaining the nozzle length designated B at a minimum arc sustaining width, determining the minimum vortex chamber width designated A at which a vortex strength of Mach 0.25 is obtained; and b. then while maintaining said vortex chamber width A as so determined, operating said generator in the transferred mode with said dimensions B and C having the relationship B/C > 0.2 and in the non-transferred mode with said dimensions B and C having the relationship B/C > or = 4.
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) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |