Patent ID: 6040548
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: H05H

Abstract:
A plasma generator (5) for generating and deflecting a plasma jet comprising an electrode chamber (10) having a gas inlet (50); and an outlet orafice (40); an electrode (60) positioned within the electrode chamber, the electrode defining an electrode axis (80); and a first magnetic deflection system for applying a first magnetic field (B1) to a plasma flowing from the electrode chamber outlet so as to cause the plasma to flow away from the electrode axis in a first direction as a result of a first force (F1) on the plasma caused by the first magnetic field, the first magnetic deflection system comprising a first U-shaped member formed from a first base (110) and a pair of first poles (130) having ends (135) and a first coil (120) positioned about the base, wherein the first magnetic deflection system is positioned about the electrode chamber so that the poles of the pair of first poles are on opposite sides of the electrode axis defined by the electrode positioned within the electrode chamber;the generator being further characterized in that:the generator is provided with a second magnetic deflection system for applying a second magnetic field to a plasma flowing from the electrode chamber outlet so as to cause the plasma to flow away from the electrode axis in a second direction as a result of a second force (F2) on the plasma caused by the second magnetic field, the second magnetic deflection system comprising a second U-shaped member formed from a second base (110) and a pair of second poles (130) having ends (135) and a second coil (120) positioned about the second base, wherein the second magnetic deflection system is positioned about the electrode chamber so that the poles of the pair of second poles are on opposite sides of the electrode axis defined by the electrode positioned within the electrode chamber, and wherein the first pair of poles and the second pair of poles are uniformly positioned about the electrode axis so that the magnetic field across the first pair of poles is substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field across the pair of second poles.