US 12,256,484 B2
Frequency chirp resonant optimal plasma ignition method
Terrence E. Rogers, Durham, NC (US)
Assigned to Atmospheric Plasma Solutions, Inc., Cary, NC (US)
Filed by Atmospheric Plasma Solutions, Inc., Cary, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/504,063.
Application 17/504,063 is a continuation of application No. 17/085,694, filed on Oct. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,153,961.
Application 17/085,694 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/028434, filed on Apr. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/834,947, filed on Apr. 16, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/834,545, filed on Apr. 16, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0009209 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H05H 1/46 (2006.01); H05H 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC H05H 1/46 (2013.01) [H05H 1/24 (2013.01); H05H 1/463 (2021.05); H05H 2240/10 (2013.01); H05H 2245/40 (2021.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for plasma ignition and maintenance of an atmospheric pressure plasma, the system comprising:
a variable frequency alternating current (AC) power source;
a transformer having
a magnetic core,
a primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, and
a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core;
a cable connected to the secondary winding to output power from the transformer, and the cable having a capacitance to ground; and
a programmed microprocessor for control of power to the atmospheric pressure plasma,
wherein
the primary winding is connectable to the AC power source,
the cable is connectable to an electrode powering the atmospheric pressure plasma, the secondary winding and the cable are resonant at a resonant frequency fr when no plasma is present, and
the programmed microprocessor is configured to
a) at pre-ignition, power the AC power source at an operational frequency fop higher than the resonant frequency fr, and
b) decrease the operational frequency fop of the AC power source until there is plasma ignition.