Abstract: A gas conversion system using microwave plasma is provided. The system includes: a microwave waveguide; a gas flow tube passing through a microwave waveguide and configured to transmit microwaves therethrough; a temperature controlling means for controlling a temperature of the microwave waveguide; a temperature sensor disposed near the gas flow tube and configured to measure a temperature of gas flow tube or microwave waveguide; an igniter located near the gas flow tube and configured to ignite a plasma inside the gas flow tube so that the plasma converts a gas flowing through the gas flow tube during operation; and a plasma detector located near the gas flow tube and configured to monitor the plasma.

Abstract: A microwave resonant cavity is provided. The microwave resonant cavity includes: a sidewall having a generally cylindrical hollow shape; a gas flow tube disposed inside the sidewall and having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sidewall; a plurality of microwave waveguides, each microwave waveguide having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sidewall and having a distal end secured to the sidewall and aligned with a corresponding one of a plurality of holes formed on the sidewall; a top plate secured to one end of the sidewall; and a sliding short circuit. The sliding circuit includes: a disk slidably mounted between the sidewall and the gas flow tube; and at least one bar disposed inside the sidewall and arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sidewall.

Abstract: Systems for generating microwave plasma from a combustion flame. The present invention provides a microwave plasma nozzle that includes a hollow cylindrical housing through which combustible material flows, and a rod-shaped conductor disposed in the housing. A portion of the rod-shaped conductor extends into a microwave cavity to receive microwaves passing in the cavity. The rod-shaped conductor transmits microwaves along the surface thereof, and has a distal end disposed in proximity to and surrounded by a proximal end portion of the housing. During operation, a combustion flame is formed in proximity to the proximal end portion of the housing, and the microwaves transmitted along the surface heat up the flame to generate plasma in proximity to the distal end of the rod-shaped conductor.

Abstract: Keyboard systems for interfacing with a touchscreen. The keyboard includes: a plurality of contact members formed of electrically conducting material, each of the contact members having first and second sides; and a plurality of keys. Each key has an electrically conducting key-pad unit and a resilient member, where the resilient member is adapted to maintain the key-pad unit in a spaced part relationship relative to a corresponding one of the contact members. The first side of each contact member is in constant contact with a particular portion of the touchscreen. The key-pad unit is adapted to contact the second side of a corresponding one of the contact members when pressed by a foreign object, to thereby form an electrically conducting path between the foreign object and the particular portion of the touchscreen.

Abstract: A plasma generator is provided which includes: a microwave generation portion which generates a microwave; a wave guide for propagating the microwave; a plurality of plasma generation nozzles which are attached to the wave guide so as to be apart from each other in the direction where the microwave is propagated, receive the microwave, and generate and emit a plasmatic gas based on the energy of this microwave; and a plurality of stabs which correspond to a part or the whole part of the plasma generation nozzles and are each disposed in the wave guide so as to lie in a rear position a predetermined distance apart from each other in the direction where the microwave is propagated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating microwave plasma are disclosed. The present invention provides a microwave plasma nozzle (26) that includes a gas flow tube (40), and a rod-shaped conductor (34) that is disposed in the gas flow tube (40) and has a tip (33) near the outlet of the gas flow tube (40). A portion (35) of the rod-shaped conductor (34) extends into a microwave cavity (24) to receive microwaves passing in the cavity (24). These received microwaves are focused at the tip (33) to heat the gas into plasma. The microwave plasma nozzle (26) also includes a vortex guide (36) between the rod-shaped conductor (34) and the gas flow tube (40) imparting a helical shaped flow direction to the gas flowing through the tube (40). The microwave plasma nozzle (26) further includes a shielding mechanism (108) for reducing a microwave power loss through the gas flow tube (40).

Abstract: Systems for monitoring power consumption. The system includes at least one circuit breaker having a sensor for measuring current flowing through the circuit breaker and for sending a sensor signal commensurate with the current. The system also includes a controller spaced apart from the circuit breaker and adapted to receive the sensor signal from the circuit breaker, and an external device for communicating an electrical signal with the controller to control the controller.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring power consumption. The system includes at least one circuit breaker having a sensor for measuring current flowing through the circuit breaker and for sending a sensor signal commensurate with the current and a first electrical connector connected to the sensor. The system also includes a controller spaced apart from the circuit breaker and adapted to receive the sensor signal from the circuit breaker, a second electrical connector adapted to detachably engage the first electrical connector and connected to the controller, and an external device for communicating an electrical signal with the controller to control the controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a microwave generator for generating microwave energy; a power supply connected to the microwave generator for providing power thereto; a microwave cavity; a waveguide operatively connected to the microwave cavity for transmitting microwave energy thereto; an isolator for dissipating microwave energy reflected from the microwave cavity; and at least one nozzle coupled to the microwave cavity. The nozzle includes: a housing having a generally cylindrical space formed therein, the space forming a gas flow passageway; a rod-shaped conductor disposed in the space and operative to transmit microwave energy along a surface thereof so that the microwave energy excites gas flowing through the space; and an impedance controlling structure which adjusts the impedance of the nozzle.

Abstract: Microwave plasma nozzle array systems and methods for configuring the microwave plasma nozzle arrays are disclosed. The microwaves are transmitted to a microwave cavity in a specific manner and form an interference pattern that includes high-energy regions within the microwave cavity. The high-energy regions are controlled by the phases and the wavelengths of the microwaves. A plurality of nozzle elements is provided in the array. Each of the nozzle elements has a portion partially disposed in the microwave cavity and receives a gas for passing therethrough. The nozzle elements receive microwave energy from one of the high-energy regions. Each of the nozzle elements include a rod-shaped conductor having a tip that focuses the microwaves and a plasma is then generated using the received gas.

Abstract: Devices for generating and storing ozone. The device includes a tank for containing gas therein; an ozone generator for generating ozone and communicating the ozone with the tank; and at least one valve for admitting gas into the device, holding gas in the device, and discharging gas from the device.

Abstract: A work processing system S is provided with a plasma generating unit PU including a microwave generator 20 for generating microwaves of 2.45 GHz, a waveguide 10 for causing the microwaves to travel and a plasma generator 30 mounted on a surface of the waveguide 13 facing a work W; and a work conveyor C for conveying the work W to pass the plasma generator 30. The plasma generator 30 includes a plurality of arrayed plasma generating nozzles 31 for receiving the microwaves, generating a plasma-converted gas based on a receiving electrical energy and discharging the generated gas. The plasma-converted gas is blown to the work W in the plasma generator 30 while the work W is conveyed by the work conveyor C. It is possible both to successively plasma-process a plurality of works and to efficiently plasma-process works having large areas.

Abstract: Devices for generating and storing ozone. The device includes a tank for containing gas therein; an ozone generator for generating ozone and communicating the ozone with the tank; and at least one valve for admitting gas into the device, holding gas in the device, and discharging gas from the device.

Abstract: Devices for generating and storing ozone. A device for generating ozone includes: at least one elongated electrode unit including an outer tubular dielectric member and an inner conducting member having a longitudinal axis; and one or more elongated electrode tubes disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. Each of the electrode tubes is arranged in parallel to the electrode unit. When an electrical potential is applied across the conducting member and electrode tubes during operation, plasma is established between the dielectric member and electrode tubes. The plasma converts oxygen gas into ozone gas.

Abstract: A portable microwave plasma discharge unit receives microwaves and a gas flow via a supply line. The portable microwave plasma discharge unit generates plasma from the gas flow and the received microwaves. The portable microwave plasma discharge unit includes a gas flow tube made of a conducting and/or dielectric material and a rod-shaped conductor that is axially disposed in the gas flow tube. The rod-shaped conductor has an end configured to contact a microwave supply conductor of the supply line to receive microwaves and a tapered tip positioned adjacent the outlet portion of the gas flow tube. The tapered tip is configured to focus the microwaves received from the microwave supply conductor to generate plasma from the gas flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides microwave plasma nozzle array systems (10, 70, 230, and 310) and methods for configuring microwave plasma nozzle arrays (37, 99, and 337). The microwaves are transmitted to a microwave cavity (323) in a specific manner and form an interference pattern (66) that includes high-energy regions (69) within the microwave cavity (32). The high-energy regions (69) are controlled by the phases and the wavelengths of the microwaves. A plurality of nozzle elements (36) is provided in the array (37). Each of the nozzle elements (36) has a portion (116) partially disposed in the microwave cavity (32) and receives a gas for passing therethrough. The nozzle elements (36) receive microwave energy from one of the high-energy regions (69). Each of the nozzle elements (36) includes a rod-shaped conductor (114) having a tip (117) that focuses on the microwaves and a plasma (38) is then generated using the received gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating relatively cool microwave plasma are disclosed. The present invention provides a microwave plasma nozzle that includes a gas flow tube through which a gas flows, and a rod-shaped conductor that is disposed in the gas flow tube and has a tapered tip near the outlet of the gas flow tube. A portion of the rod-shaped conductor extends into a microwave cavity to receive microwaves passing in the cavity. These received microwaves are focused at the tapered tip to heat the gas into plasma. The microwave plasma nozzle also includes a vortex guide between the rod-shaped conductor and the gas flow tube imparting a helical shaped flow direction around the rod-shaped conductor to the gas flowing through the tube. The microwave plasma nozzle further includes a mechanism for electronically exciting the gas and a shielding mechanism for reducing a microwave power loss through the gas flow tube.

Abstract: A portable microwave plasma system (10) includes a microwave supply unit (22), a waveguide-to-coax adapter (18) and a waveguide (20) that interconnects the microwave supply unit (22) with the waveguide-to-coax adapter (18), a portable discharge unit (12) and a supply line (16). The supply line (16) includes at least one gas line (62) and a microwave coaxial cable (64). The portable discharge unit (12) includes: a gas flow tube (42) coupled to the supply line (16) to receive gas flow; and a rod-shaped conductor (44) that is axially disposed in the gas flow tube (42) and has an end configured to receive microwaves from the microwave coaxial cable (64) and a tip (46) positioned adjacent the outlet portion of the gas flow tube (42). The tip (46) is configured to focus microwave traveling through the rod-shaped conductor (44) and generate plasma from the gas flow.

Abstract: Portable microwave plasma systems including supply lines for providing microwaves and gas flow are disclosed. The supply line includes at least one gas line or conduit and a microwave coaxial cable. A portable microwave plasma system includes a microwave source, a waveguide-to-coax adapter and a waveguide that interconnects the microwave source with the waveguide-to-coax adapter, a portable discharge unit and the supply line. The portable discharge unit includes a gas flow tube coupled to the supply line to receive gas flow and a rod-shaped conductor that is axially disposed in the gas flow tube and has an end configured to receive microwaves from the microwave coaxial cable and a tapered tip positioned adjacent the outlet portion of the gas flow tube. The tapered tip is configured to focus microwave traveling through the rod-shaped conductor and generate plasma from the gas flow.

Abstract: A portable microwave plasma discharge unit receives microwaves and a gas flow via a supply line. The portable microwave plasma discharge unit generates plasma from the gas flow and the received microwaves. The portable microwave plasma discharge unit includes a gas flow tube made of a conducting and/or dielectric material and a rod-shaped conductor that is axially disposed in the gas flow tube. The rod-shaped conductor has an end configured to contact a microwave supply conductor of the supply line to receive microwaves and a tapered tip positioned adjacent the outlet portion of the gas flow tube. The tapered tip is configured to focus the microwaves received from the microwave supply conductor to generate plasma from the gas flow.