US3731047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plasma heating torch
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-05-01
•
Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A high pressure plasma heating torch comprising a hollow dielectric cylinder and a pair of electrically conductive end plates which form a plasma chamber in the cylinder and where the end plates are respectively provided with gas inlet and discharge ports. A pair of aligned, electrically conductive heating coils are concentrically disposed about the cylinder and in this arrangement extend along the cylinder for substantially the entire length thereof. The coils are connected together at a central location and are fed energy from a relatively high voltage, high frequency electrical source and the outer or opposite ends of the coils are grounded or connected to a low potential location through the end plates so that a plasma introduced into the chamber is subjected to a relatively high energy field which extends between the two end plates, but which is developed by a source which has its highest potential near the center of the device thereby reducing the potential required and the possibility of high frequency sputtering and arcing. A cooling jacket surrounds the dielectric cylinder and forms a cooling chamber with the other parts including the parts that house the heating coils, and this cooling chamber receives a suitable coolant which is used to remove excess heat generated during operation of the device. Provision can also be made to make the coils of tubular material and to pass coolant through the coils, if desired. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are also provided for sensing pressure changes in the plasma chamber and in the coolant chamber to control the introducing of coolant under pressure into the cooling chamber and to thereby also maintain substantially uniform and/or equal pressure conditions in both chambers.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mullen
- 👤 E Theby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:45
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/24; H05H1/26; H05H1/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
Means for generating a source of high temperature plasma comprising means forming a chamber including a pair of spaced electrically conductive chamber end walls and a closure wall extending therebetween, means for grounding said end walls, means including an orifice in one of the spaced end walls for operative connection to a source of gas under pressure permitting introduction of gas from said source into the chamber, an outlet opening in the other of said spaced end walls through which a plasma produced in the chamber can escape, and means subjecting the plasma as it moves through the chamber to a high energy field, said last named means including an electrically conductive coil positioned around the chamber closure wall and extending substantially the full length thereof between the spaced chamber end walls, said coil having a center connector location and a pair of end connector locations, said end connector locations being located respectively adjacent to the chamber end walls, said coil having first and second coil portions extending respectively between said center connector location and the respective end connector locations, means for connecting a relatively high voltage radio frequency energy source to the center connector location of said coil, said first and second coil portions being constructed to generate in-phase components of said high energy field in the chamber, and other means connecting the end connector locations electrically to the said respective grounded end walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
Means for generating a source of high temperature plasma comprising means forming a chamber including a pair of spaced electrically conductive chamber end walls and a closure wall extending therebetween, means for grounding said end walls, means including an orifice in one of the spaced end walls for operative connection to a source of gas under pressure permitting introduction of gas from said source into the chamber, an outlet opening in the other of said spaced end walls through which a plasma produced in the chamber can escape, and means subjecting the plasma as it moves through the chamber to a high energy field, said last named means including an electrically conductive coil positioned around the chamber closure wall and extending substantially the full length thereof between the spaced chamber end walls, said coil having a center connector location and a pair of end connector locations, said end connector locations being located respectively adjacent to the chamber end walls, said coil having first and second coil portions extending respectively between said center connector location and the respective end connector locations, means for connecting a relatively high voltage radio frequency energy source to the center connector location of said coil, said first and second coil portions being constructed to generate in-phase components of said high energy field in the chamber, and other means connecting the end connector locations electrically to the said respective grounded end walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive coil is formed by a tubular conductor member, and means for passing a coolant substance through the said tubular conductor member during operation of the subject means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The means defined in claim 1 including means forming a cooling chamber surrounding the conductive coil, and means feeding a coolant through the said cooling chamber and around the coil positioned therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The means defined in claim 1 including means associated with the orifice in said one end wall to direct the gas into the chamber so that the plasma produced therein will follow a non-linear path between the spaced end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means defined in claim 1 including means to control the temperature of the conductive coil including means to pass a coolant adjacent thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The means defined in claim 5 including means to control the pressure of coolant flow adjacent to the coil, said control means including means responsive to the pressure of the plasma in the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for raising the temperature of fluid comprising means forming a chamber receiving said fluid, said means including a pair of end walls and an enclosing side wall extending therebetween forming said chamber, one of said end walls having orifice means therein permitting passage of a fluid from a fluid source into said chamber and the other of said end walls having orifice means permitting discharge of the fluid from said chamber, high frequency electrical heating means located in heat traNsfer relationship to said chamber for heating the fluid therein, said heating means having first and second coil portions with first and second opposed terminal portions connected respectively to said end walls, means grounding said end walls, and means for introducing high frequency electrical energy to said heating means at an intermediate location thereon located between said first and second terminal portions, said first and second coil portions being constructed to produce in-phase fields in the chamber when said high frequency electrical energy is introduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for raising the temperature of fluid comprising means forming a chamber receiving said fluid, said means including a pair of end walls and an enclosing side wall extending therebetween forming said chamber, one of said end walls having orifice means therein permitting passage of a fluid from a fluid source into said chamber and the other of said end walls having orifice means permitting discharge of the fluid from said chamber, high frequency electrical heating means located in heat traNsfer relationship to said chamber for heating the fluid therein, said heating means having first and second coil portions with first and second opposed terminal portions connected respectively to said end walls, means grounding said end walls, and means for introducing high frequency electrical energy to said heating means at an intermediate location thereon located between said first and second terminal portions, said first and second coil portions being constructed to produce in-phase fields in the chamber when said high frequency electrical energy is introduced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said first and second coil portions of the heating means are arranged in such manner that electrical current applied across said heating means is capable of generating a continuous radio frequency magnetic field in the chamber, said first coil portion extending between the intermediate location and one of said terminal portions, and the second coil portion extending between said intermediate location and the other of said terminal portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said intermediate location is located approximately midway between said terminal portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said heating means comprises a multi-turn coil disposed about said side wall and extending therealong for substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said heating means comprises a plurality of coils disposed about said side wall in approximate axial alignment and extending therealong for substantially the entire length thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that a cylindrical member is concentrically disposed around and spaced outwardly from said side wall, said cylindrical member engaging said end walls and forming an annular space with said side and end walls, and means in fluid communication with said annular space and with said chamber including means to maintain substantially equal pressure conditions in said chamber and in the annular space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a heating torch having a pair of spaced apart conductive end walls and an enclosing side wall which form a fluid chamber for receiving a supply of fluid under pressure; a pair of similar high frequency electrical heating coils disposed about and extending along said side wall in heat transfer relationship to said fluid chamber, each of said heating coils having opposed first end windings which are located respectively in closely spaced relationship to each of said respective end walls and which are operatively connected to a common electrically conductive element which includes at least one of said end walls in said torch, each of said coils having second end windings, the said second end windings of said coils being located in closely spaced relationship to each other, and means connecting a common source high frequency electrical energy to each of said second end windings of said heating coils, said coils of said pair being constructed to generate electric fields in the fluid chamber that are in-phase with each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a heating torch having a pair of spaced apart conductive end walls and an enclosing side wall which form a fluid chamber for receiving a supply of fluid under pressure; a pair of similar high frequency electrical heating coils disposed about and extending along said side wall in heat transfer relationship to said fluid chamber, each of said heating coils having opposed first end windings which are located respectively in closely spaced relationship to each of said respective end walls and which are operatively connected to a common electrically conductive element which includes at least one of said end walls in said torch, each of said coils having second end windings, the said second end windings of said coils being located in closely spaced relationship to each other, and means connecting a common source high frequency electrical energy to each of said second end windings of said heating coils, said coils of said pair being constructed to generate electric fields in the fluid chamber that are in-phase with each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heating torch of claim 13 further characterized in that the high frequency energy source is a radio frequency energy source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The heating torch of claim 13 further characterized in that the coils are arranged about said chamber forming means in such flows that the current that flows through each of said coils flows in a direction to generate field which are additive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heating torch of claim 13 further characterized in that each of said coils comprises an electrically conductive member having a coating of electrical insulating material thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heating torch of claim 16 further characterized in that adjacent convolutions of said coils are relatively closely spaced to each other and to the chamber forming means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for raising the temperature and pressure of a fluid comprising means forming a fluiD chamber capable of receiving a fluid, high frequency electrical heating means including a coil disposed in heat transfer relationship to said chamber for heating the fluid contained therein, said coil having an intermediate connection to a source of high frequency voltage and a pair of spaced low potential end connections, means forming a cooling chamber in heat transfer relationship to the electrical heating means, and means for circulating a coolant through said cooling chamber, said circulating means including means to establish a pressure of coolant in the cooling chamber that depends at least in part on the pressure of the fluid in said fluid chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for raising the temperature and pressure of a fluid comprising means forming a fluiD chamber capable of receiving a fluid, high frequency electrical heating means including a coil disposed in heat transfer relationship to said chamber for heating the fluid contained therein, said coil having an intermediate connection to a source of high frequency voltage and a pair of spaced low potential end connections, means forming a cooling chamber in heat transfer relationship to the electrical heating means, and means for circulating a coolant through said cooling chamber, said circulating means including means to establish a pressure of coolant in the cooling chamber that depends at least in part on the pressure of the fluid in said fluid chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that said means forming a fluid chamber includes a cylindrical wall, said cooling chamber surrounding at least a portion of said cylindrical wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including pressure responsive control means operatively associated with the means for feeding the coolant to maintain a predetermined pressure of said coolant in said cooling chamber, said pressure responsive means including means responsive to the pressure in the fluid chamber and to the pressure in the cooling chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including pressure responsive control means operatively associated with the means for feeding the coolant, said pressure responsive means including means to control the means for feeding coolant to maintain the pressure in the cooling chamber approximately equal to the pressure in the fluid chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the apparatus is a heating torch and the fluid is a plasma.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |