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US 7,030,336 B1Granted
Method of fixing anodic arc attachments of a multiple arc plasma gun and nozzle device for same
AssigneeSulzer Metco (US), Inc.
InventorDavid Hawley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved anode element for a plasma generator is comprised of an anode body having a central bore therein. A plurality of arc attachment regions are formed along a surface of the central bore. Each attachment is configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and a respective cathode when the anode element is used in a plasma generator. The arc attachment points can be areas along the central bore which are elevated or proud relative to adjacent areas. The attachment points can also be defined at least in part by asymmetrical cooling of the anode.
Claims36
A plasma generator having a plasma channel therein extending along a central axis and comprising:
- a plurality of cathodes positioned at a first end of the plasma channel and arranged radially about the axis;
- an anode circuit positioned at a second end of the plasma channel, the anode element having a central bore herein and a plurality of arc attachment regions along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region corresponding to a respective cathode and configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and the respective cathode wherein each arc attachment region comprises a respective discrete elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis.
A plasma generator having a plasma channel therein extending along a central axis and comprising:
- a plurality of cathodes positioned at a first end of the plasma channel and arranged radially about the axis;
- an anode element positioned at a second end of the plasma channel, the anode element having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region corresponding to a respective cathode and configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and the respective cathode;
- wherein each arc attachment region comprises an elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis;
- and
- wherein each elevation comprises a ridge having an upper surface relative to the central axis and at an angle thereto.
2 more elements
A plasma generator having a plasma channel therein extending along a central axis and comprising:
- a plurality of cathodes positioned at a first end of the plasma channel and arranged radially about the axis;
- an anode element positioned at a second end of the plasma channel, the anode element having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region corresponding to a respective cathode and configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and the respective cathode;
- wherein each arc attachment region comprises an elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis;
- and
- wherein a contour of the central bore along a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis corresponds to an outer edge of a plurality of overlapping generally circular bodies arranged around the central axis.
2 more elements
A plasma generator having a plasma channel therein extending along a central axis and comprising:
- a plurality of cathodes positioned at a first end of the plasma channel and arranged radially about the axis;
- an anode element positioned at a second end of the plasma channel, the anode element having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region corresponding to a respective cathode and configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and the respective cathode;
- wherein the anode element is substantially comprised of a first electrically conductive material having a first thermal conductivity and the arc attachment regions comprise a second electrically conductive material having a second thermal conductivity less than the first thermal conductivity;
- and
- wherein the arc attachment regions comprise axially elongated members mounted in the anode element.
2 more elements
A plasma generator having a plasma channel therein extending along a central axis and comprising:
- a plurality of cathodes positioned at a first end of the plasma channel and arranged radially about the axis;
- an anode element positioned at a second end of the plasma channel, the anode element having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region corresponding to a respective cathode and configured to provide a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and the respective cathode, the anode element having a plurality of cooling channels therein, the arc attachment regions being defined by differences in the capacity of the cooling channels to remove heat from regions of the anode element adjacent the central bore, wherein the cooling channels are configured to remove heat from the arc attachment regions at a first rate and to remove heat from regions adjacent the arc attachment regions and the central bore at a second rate greater than the first rate;
- wherein the arc attachment regions will be cooled more slowly than the adjacent regions.
An anode element for use in a plasma generator having a plurality of cathodes comprising;
- an electrically conductive body having a central bore therein defining a central axis and a plurality of arc attachment regions arranged along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region providing a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and a respective cathode when the anode nozzle element is used in the plasma generator and sufficient current is applied across the anode element and the plurality of cathodes, wherein each arc attachment region comprises a respective discrete elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis.
An anode element for use in a plasma generator having a plurality of cathodes comprising;
- an electrically conductive body having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions arranged along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region providing a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and a respective cathode when the anode nozzle element is used in the plasma generator and sufficient current is applied across the anode element and the plurality of cathodes;
- wherein each arc attachment region comprises an elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis;
- and
- wherein each elevation comprises a ridge having an upper surface relative to the central axis and at an angle thereto.
1 more element
An anode element for use in a plasma generator having a plurality of cathodes comprising;
- an electrically conductive body having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions arranged along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region providing a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and a respective cathode when the anode nozzle element is used in the plasma generator and sufficient current is applied across the anode element and the plurality of cathodes;
- wherein each arc attachment region comprises an elevation of the surface of the central bore towards the central axis;
- and
- wherein a contour of the central bore along a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis corresponds to an outer edge of a plurality of overlapping generally circular shapes arranged around the central axis.
1 more element
An anode element for use in a plasma generator having a plurality of cathodes comprising;
- an electrically conductive body having a central bore therein and a plurality of arc attachment regions arranged along a surface of the central bore, each attachment region providing a substantially radially predefined attachment point for an electrical arc extending between the attachment region and a respective cathode when the anode nozzle element is used in the plasma generator and sufficient current is applied across the anode element and the plurality of cathodes;
- wherein the body comprises a first electrically conductive material having a first thermal conductivity and wherein the arc attachment regions comprise a second electrically conductive material having a second thermal conductivity less than the first thermal conductivity;
- and
- wherein the arc attachment regions comprise axially elongated members mounted at least partially within the body.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.