# US 12,215,892 B2 · Method for testing an electrode arrangement for generating a non-thermal plasma, and plasma source having an electrode arrangement of this kind and configured for performing a method of this kind > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,892 B2 - Document ID: US12215892B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/252,116 - Filed: 2019-06-13 - Published: 2021-08-19 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-15 - Assignees: terraplasma GmbH; terraplasma medical GmbH - Applicants: terraplasma GmbH; terraplasma medical GmbH - Inventors: Julia Zimmermann; Michael Linner; Sylvia Cantzler; Gregor Morfill; Hannes Weilemann; Maximilian Cantzler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215892B2 ## CPC - F24F 8/20: by sterilisation - H05H 1/2425: {the electrodes being flush with the dielectric} - H05H 1/2439: {Surface discharges, e.g. air flow control} - A61N 1/44: Applying ionised fluids {(ion generators H01J37/00)} - B01D 2257/91: Bacteria; Microorganisms - H05H 2240/20: Non-thermal plasma - H05H 2242/22: DC, AC or pulsed generators - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - H05H: PLASMA TECHNIQUE (apparatus or processes specially adapted for producing X-rays H05G2/00); PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract The invention relates to a method for testing an electrode arrangement (1) for generating a non-thermal plasma, having the following steps: determining at least one power parameter which characterizes a plasma power of the electrode arrangement (1); comparing the at least one power parameter with at least one predetermined target parameter value, and obtaining a comparison result; assessing the functionality of the electrode arrangement (1) on the basis of the comparison result, and preferably selecting at least one action according to the comparison result. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for testing an electrode arrangement (1) for generating a non-thermal plasma, comprising the following steps: determining at least one power parameter which characterizes a plasma power of the electrode arrangement (1); comparing the at least one power parameter with at least one predetermined target parameter value, and obtaining a comparison result, wherein the at least one predetermined target parameter value of the electrode arrangement (1) is stored with a dependence on at least one operational parameter in a characteristic map, from which the at least one predetermined target parameter value can be read according to the at least one operational parameter, wherein the at least one operational parameter is selected from a group consisting of an ambient temperature of the electrode arrangement (1) and a relative humidity in an environment of the electrode arrangement (1); and assessing the functionality of the electrode arrangement (1) on the basis of the comparison result. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one action is selected according to the comparison result, wherein the action is selected from a group consisting of outputting an “OK” signal, outputting an “action required” signal, outputting a “not OK” signal, notifying an operator of the electrode arrangement (1) of a current plasma power, adapting an operating time of the electrode arrangement (1) to the comparison result, terminating an operation of the electrode arrangement (1), and continuing the operation of the electrode arrangement (1) without further action. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method is carried out immediately after the electrode arrangement has been put into operation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the method is carried out before the electrode arrangement is used. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one power parameter is captured on an electronic proxy structure (104) connected in series with the electrode arrangement (1). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one value of a proxy voltage falling across the electronic proxy structure (104) at a specific phase angle of a control voltage applied to the electrode arrangement (1), in particular at a zero crossing of the control voltage, is measured as the at least one power parameter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, characterized in that an average value of the proxy voltage at the specific phase angle of the control voltage, averaged over multiple, in particular a plurality of, periods of the control voltage is determined as the at least one power parameter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method according to a claim 5, characterized in that a capacitor (105) is used as the electronic proxy structure (104). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one power parameter is compared with a first, upper target parameter value and with a second, lower target parameter value, wherein the at least one action is selected according to whether the at least a power parameter falls within a target parameter range delimited by the first target parameter value and the second target parameter value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode arrangement (1) is operated for a predetermined period of time before the at least one power parameter is determined. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the comparison result and/or the at least one power parameter is/are logged for later retrieval in an electronic memory device of the electrode arrangement (1). ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the comparison result and/or the at least one power parameter is/are logged for later retrieval in the electronic memory device of the electrode arrangement (1) with at least one metadata item. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode arrangement (1) is configured to generate surface micro-discharges in ambient air. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the electrode arrangement (1) comprises a first electrode (3), a second electrode (5), and a dielectric (7), wherein the first electrode (3) and the second electrode (5) are spaced apart from each other by the dielectric (7) and are each arranged in direct mechanical contact with the dielectric (7). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the first electrode (3) is a planar electrode (3). ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the second electrode (5) is a planar electrode (5). ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, characterized in that a high voltage, in particular an alternating voltage, is applied to the first electrode (3), and the second electrode (5) is connected to ground.