Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a Contact Glow Plasma Discharge in an electrolyte such as 7% K2CO3. A Shrouded Toroidal Anode is partially submerged in the electrolyte directly above a Flat Torus Cathode (totally submerged in the electrolyte), spaced approximately 50 mm apart, and the two electrodes are arranged in a concentric manner. A potential difference is applied from the cathode to the anode causing gas to be formed on the cathode. This is followed by a contact glow plasma being formed on the surface of the cathode and electromagnetically confined by a Spheromark formed by the configuration of the electrodes. This confinement of the plasma prevents a plasma arc from consuming the anode, which in turn allows for the application of 12,000 Watts and the occurrence of “non-linear electron resonance heating”. The effects of nonlinear series resonance increase the total power dissipation by factors of 2-5 for low pressure capacitive plasmas.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2016
Assignee:
Corona Plasma Systems, Inc
Inventors:
David Michael Tierney, Richard A. Hoffman, Sr., John E. Hoffman, Jr., James J. Pagliaro, II