Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted joining of one or more parts together are provided. The joining process may include, for example, placing at least first and second joining areas in proximity to one another in a cavity, forming a plasma in the cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst, and sustaining the plasma at least until the first and second joining areas are joined. Plasma catalysts, and methods and apparatus for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a joining plasma, are provided. Additional cavity shapes, and methods and apparatus for selective plasma-joining, are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted processing multiple work pieces in a manufacturing line. The manufacturing line can include a plurality of microwave cavities, each of the microwave cavities igniting and sustaining a microwave plasma. Work pieces can be shuttled between the plurality of microwave cavities on a conveyance system that controls the positioning of each of the work pieces.
Abstract:
Methods and systems (10) for plasma-assisted nitrogen surface-treatments are provided. The method can include subjecting a gas (24) to electromagnetic radiation (26) in the presence of a plasma catalyst (100, 120, 140) to initiate a plasma containing nitrogen. The surface region of an object can be exposed to the plasma for a period of time sufficient to transfer at least some of the nitrogen from the plasma to the object through the surface region.
Abstract:
Plasma-assisted methods and apparatus that use multiple radiation sources are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A controller can be used to delay activation of one radiation source with respect to another.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various plasma processes and treatments. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a multi-mode processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 1 MHz and about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A passive plasma catalyst may include, for example, any object capable of inducing a plasma by deforming a local electric field. An active plasma catalyst can include any particle or high energy wave packet capable of transferring a sufficient amount of energy to a gaseous atom or molecule to remove at least one electron from the gaseous atom or molecule, in the presence of electromagnetic radiation.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted engine exhaust treatment. In one embodiment, an engine exhaust treatment system includes at least one conduit with an inlet portion (215), an outlet portion (216), an intermediate portion (205), and at least one plasma cavity (210). The inlet portion is configured to connect to an engine block (510) and receive an exhaust gas. The outlet portion emits the exhaust gas after plasma treatment. The intermediate portion conveys the exhaust gas from the inlet portion to the outlet portion. In one embodiment, one or more plasma cavities (342, 344, 346) are located proximate to the inlet portion for treating the exhaust gas. The system also includes an electromagnetic radiation source (340) connected to the cavities for supplying radiation to the cavities, wherein the radiation has a frequency less than about 333 GHz. Exhaust gas treatments that use plasma catalysts (70, 170) are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various coating processes. In one embodiment, the surface of an object can be coated by forming a plasma in a cavity by subjecting a gas to an amount of electromagnetic radiation power in the presence of a plasma catalyst and adding at least one coating material to the plasma. The material is allowed to deposit on the surface of the object to form a coating. Various plasma catalysts are also provided. Coatings can include any material, for example, carbon nanotubes, BaTiO3, Cr2O3, hafnium oxide, 3Al2O3.2SiO2, Al2O3, SiAlON, MgAl2O4, TiN, and TiO2.
Abstract translation:提供了用于点燃,调节和维持用于各种涂覆过程的等离子体的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中,可以通过在等离子体催化剂的存在下对气体进行一定量的电磁辐射能量并且在等离子体中加入至少一种涂层材料来在空腔中形成等离子体来涂覆物体的表面。 允许材料沉积在物体的表面上以形成涂层。 还提供了各种等离子体催化剂。 涂层可以包括任何材料,例如碳纳米管,BaTiO 3,Cr 2 O 3,氧化铪,3Al 2, 3SiO 2,Al 2 O 3,SiAlON,MgAl 2 O 3,N 2 O 3, O 3,TiN和TiO 2。
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted gas production. In one embodiment, a gas, which includes at least one atomic or molecular species, can flow into a cavity (305). The gas can be subjected to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz (optionally in the presence of a plasma catalyst) such that a plasma (310) forms in the cavity (305). A filter (315) capable of passing the atomic or molecular species, but preventing others from passing, can be in fluid communication with the cavity (305). In this way, the selected species can be extracted and collected, for storage or immediate use.
Abstract:
Apparatus for suppressing fluid-borne noise in a fluid conduit (12 or 12a) that includes a vibration sensor (36, 36a or 36b) for operative coupling to the conduit for providing an electrical sensor signal as a function of fluid pressure fluctuations in the conduit. A piezoelectric actuator (40, 40a or 40b) is adapted to be mounted on the conduit for imparting pressure fluctuations to fluid in the conduit. An electronic controller (38, 38a or 38b) is responsive to the sensor signal for energizing the actuator 180° out of phase with fluid pressure fluctuations sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be either closely coupled to the actuator, or separate from the actuator and disposed upstream of the actuator with respect to the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. The sensor in the preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a piezoelectric sensor, and the actuator comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements.
Abstract:
Plasma-assisted methods and apparatus that use multiple radiation sources are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a radiation cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A controller can be used to delay activation of one radiation source with respect to another radiation source.