Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted heat treatments are provided. The method can include initiating a heat treating plasma within a cavity (14) by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst (70), heating the object by exposing the object to the plasma, and maintaining exposure of the object to the plasma for a sufficient period to alter at least one material property of the object.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various doping processes. In one embodiment, a substrate (250) can be doped by forming a plasma (610) in a cavity (285) by subjecting a gas to an amount of electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst (240) and adding at least one dopant material to the plasma. The material is then allowed to penetrate into the substrate. Various active and passive catalysts are provided.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various plasma processes and treatments. Such treatments include cleaning and sterilizing parts. In some embodiments, 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. A part can be cleaned by, for example, inserting hydrogen into the plasma and exposing the part to the hydrogen-enriched plasma. A part can be sterilized by heating the part with the plasma.
Abstract:
An atmospheric plasma processing system is presented. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an atmospheric pressure plasma microwave processing apparatus includes a processing area or chamber wherein parts are processed; at least one multi-mode microwave reactor coupled to receive parts for processing; at least one magnetron coupled to at least one multi-mode microwave reactor to provide microwave energy; and a delivery system coupled to at least one multi-mode microwave reactor to deliver the parts into and out of at least one reactor, wherein a plasma can be generated at atmospheric pressure and provided to the parts in at least one multi-mode microwave reactor.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted processing multiple work pieces in a manufacturing line. In one embodiment, the method can include placing the work pieces in movable carriers, moving the carriers on a conveyor into an irradiation zone, flowing a gas into the irradiation zone, igniting the gas in the irradiation zone to form a plasma (e.g., by subjecting the gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst), sustaining the plasma for a period of time sufficient to at least partially plasma process at least one of the work pieces in the irradiation zone, and advancing the conveyor to move the at least one plasma-processed work piece out of the irradiation zone. Various types of plasma catalysts are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining plasma (615) for various coating processes. In one embodiment, the surface of an object can be coated (247) by forming plasma in a cavity (230) with walls (232) by subjecting a gas to an amount of electromagnetic radiation power via electrode (270) and a voltage supply (275) in the presence of a plasma catalyst (240) in mount (245) and adding at least one coating material to the plasma. The material is allowed to deposit on the surface of the object (250) on mount (260) to form a coating (247). Various plasma catalysts are also provided.
Abstract:
A microwave combustion system is presented that can replace the conventional spark plug in an internal combustion engine. One or more microwave pulses are provided to a microwave feed in a plug that sits in the cylinder. A microwave generated plasma generated by the plug in the vicinity of a fuel mixture can provide for highly efficient combustion of the fuel-air mixture.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted processing multiple work pieces in a manufacturing line. In one embodiment, the method can include placing the work pieces in movable carriers, moving the carriers on a conveyor into an irradiation zone, flowing a gas into the irradiation zone, igniting the gas in the irradiation zone to form a plasma (e.g., by subjecting the gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst), sustaining the plasma for a period of time sufficient to at least partially plasma process at least one of the work pieces in the irradiation zone, and advancing the conveyor to move the at least one plasma-processed work piece out of the irradiation zone. Various types of plasma catalysts are also provided.
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.
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.