Patents by Inventor Mounir Laroussi

Mounir Laroussi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8460283
    Abstract: A plasma generator having a dielectric body; a first end wall and a second end wall attached or coupled to each end of the dielectric body to define a cavity within the dielectric body, and wherein the second end wall includes at least one discharge aperture formed therein; at least one gas inlet formed proximate the first end of the dielectric body; at least one anode located within the cavity of the dielectric body, wherein the at least one anode includes at least one anode aperture; at least one hollow discharge nozzle associated with each discharge aperture, and extending from the second end wall to a nozzle aperture, such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through each discharge aperture, each associated discharge nozzles, and each associated nozzle aperture; and at least one cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of each discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Old Dominion University
    Inventors: Mounir Laroussi, Julien Jarrige
  • Patent number: 8294369
    Abstract: A plasma generator for delivering a generated plasma to an area that is a distance from the area where the plasma is initially generated, including a dielectric tube portion extending from a gas inlet to a discharge aperture; an anode formed at least substantially around a portion of the discharge tube, wherein the anode is electrically coupled, via an electrical connection, to a power supply; a cathode formed at least substantially around a portion of the discharge tube, wherein the cathode is electrically coupled, via an electrical connection, to the power supply; and an elongate discharge tube attached or coupled to the discharge aperture such that when a generated plasma is produced, the generated plasma flows through the discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Old Dominion University
    Inventor: Mounir Laroussi
  • Patent number: 7719200
    Abstract: A plasma generator, comprising a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is sealed, but for a gas inlet; at least one first dielectric disk located within the dielectric tube, wherein the first dielectric disk includes at least one first dielectric aperture formed therein; a first ring electrode that at least partially surrounds the at least one first dielectric aperture and is electrically coupled to a power supply; at least one second dielectric disk located proximate the second end of the dielectric tube, wherein the second dielectric disk includes at least one second dielectric aperture formed therein; and a second ring electrode that at least partially surrounds the at least one second dielectric aperture and is electrically coupled to the power supply. During use, the plasma generator produces at least one plasma plume that is launched into open air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Old Dominion University
    Inventor: Mounir Laroussi
  • Publication number: 20090121637
    Abstract: A plasma generator, comprising a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is sealed, but for a gas inlet; at least one first dielectric disk located within the dielectric tube, wherein the first dielectric disk includes at least one first dielectric aperture formed therein; a first ring electrode that at least partially surrounds the at least one first dielectric aperture and is electrically coupled to a power supply; at least one second dielectric disk located proximate the second end of the dielectric tube, wherein the second dielectric disk includes at least one second dielectric aperture formed therein; and a second ring electrode that at least partially surrounds the at least one second dielectric aperture and is electrically coupled to the power supply. During use, the plasma generator produces at least one plasma plume that is launched into open air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Mounir Laroussi
  • Patent number: 6858988
    Abstract: An electrodeless excimer UV lamp, comprising an enclosed chamber with a gas sealed within the enclosed chamber, wherein the gas is capable of being used to generate a plasma discharge, a first electrode wrapped around the outer surface of the chamber at a first location, a second electrode wrapped around the outer surface of the chamber at second location, and a power supply configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode. During operation of the UV lamp, a plasma discharge is generated by applying a voltage to the electrodes wrapped around the outer surface of the chamber to ignite the gas or gas mixture inside the chamber and generate a plasma discharge within the chamber, such that a specific wavelength of UV radiation will be generated by the particular gas within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Old Dominion University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Mounir Laroussi
  • Patent number: 6204605
    Abstract: Voltage is applied to conducting loops wrapped around the outside of a non-conducting chamber (e.g., a glass tube) to generate a capacitively coupled discharge plasma inside the chamber. In one embodiment, a seed gas is injected into the chamber through an inlet in an otherwise closed end of the chamber, while the other end is open to the ambient atmosphere. In such an embodiment, the seed gas is used to ignite the plasma in air at essentially atmospheric pressure. The present invention has different applications, including, but not limited to, (a) passivating toxic or polluting gases that are injected into the chamber along with the seed gas and (b) treating materials placed within a second chamber that is connected to the open end of the plasma-generating chamber such that active species migrate into the second chamber to interact with the materials placed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mounir Laroussi, Gary S. Sayler, Battle B. Glascock
  • Patent number: 5876663
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sterilization of liquids using a steady-stage glow discharge apparatus, at one atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventor: Mounir Laroussi
  • Patent number: 5414324
    Abstract: A steady-state, glow discharge plasma is generated at one atmosphere of pressure within the volume between a pair of insulated metal plate electrodes spaced up to 5 cm apart and R.F. energized with an rms potential of 1 to 5 KV at 1 to 100 KHz. Space between the electrodes is occupied by air, nitrous oxide, a noble gas such as helium, neon, argon, etc. or mixtures thereof. The electrodes are charged by an impedance matching network adjusted to produce the most stable, uniform glow discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Roth, Peter P. Tsai, Chaoyu Liu, Mounir Laroussi, Paul D. Spence