Patent ID: 6474321
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: F02P,H01T

Abstract:
A plasma-generating device comprising:at least two spaced apart electrodes having a discharge gap between them; and an electrically insulating material filling a substantial portion of the space between the electrodes, the electrically insulating material having an upper surface which does not extend across the entire distance between the electrodes; wherein the electrodes are dimensioned and configured and their spacing is arranged such that, when sufficiently high first voltage is applied between the electrodes, a plasma is formed between the electrodes at an initiation region, a Lorentz force is created by the current in at least one electrode, and the plasma moves outward along the electrodes and away from the initiation region under at least this Lorentz force; wherein at least a portion of the initiation region is located on at least a portion of the upper surface.