CA2041467A1 - Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices - Google Patents
Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devicesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2041467A1 CA2041467A1 CA 2041467 CA2041467A CA2041467A1 CA 2041467 A1 CA2041467 A1 CA 2041467A1 CA 2041467 CA2041467 CA 2041467 CA 2041467 A CA2041467 A CA 2041467A CA 2041467 A1 CA2041467 A1 CA 2041467A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plasma
- high voltage
- high current
- discharge
- acoustical pulses
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Plasma Technology (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
Abstract
Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices ABSTRACT
A plasma sparking device - "plasma gun," "plasma jet source"
or "sparker" - is an electrically operated device that is used to generate acoustical pulses in underwater seismic range-finding and imaging. However, if the discharge power of a submerged plasma sparking device can be suitably stepped up (high current at high voltage), it can be made to produce acoustical pulses that are locally lethal, damaging or otherwise intolerable to a wide variety of unwanted marine organisms, including zebra mussels, thereby controlling their propagation in defined areas.
Very powerful acoustical pulses from underwater or liquid-immersed plasma sparking devices have a number of other potential applications as well. The applicant has solved the problem of producing such high-powered acoustical pulses from liquid-immersed plasma sparking devices by the employment of high current/high voltage liquid dielectric capacitors (hereafter called oil-filled capacitors) or cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils in a plasma sparking device's spark discharge circuit. The applicant also has found that feeding electrodes made out of aluminum also significantly increase the power of the plasma plume at discharge and the consequent acoustical pulse.
A plasma sparking device - "plasma gun," "plasma jet source"
or "sparker" - is an electrically operated device that is used to generate acoustical pulses in underwater seismic range-finding and imaging. However, if the discharge power of a submerged plasma sparking device can be suitably stepped up (high current at high voltage), it can be made to produce acoustical pulses that are locally lethal, damaging or otherwise intolerable to a wide variety of unwanted marine organisms, including zebra mussels, thereby controlling their propagation in defined areas.
Very powerful acoustical pulses from underwater or liquid-immersed plasma sparking devices have a number of other potential applications as well. The applicant has solved the problem of producing such high-powered acoustical pulses from liquid-immersed plasma sparking devices by the employment of high current/high voltage liquid dielectric capacitors (hereafter called oil-filled capacitors) or cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils in a plasma sparking device's spark discharge circuit. The applicant also has found that feeding electrodes made out of aluminum also significantly increase the power of the plasma plume at discharge and the consequent acoustical pulse.
Description
2 ;~04~46~
Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparlcing devices -SPF.CIFICATION
This invention relates to the use of aluminum-wire electrodes and/or high current/high voltage oil-filled capacitors or cyrogenically cooled superconducting field coils in the electrical system of a plasma sparking device in order to produce very powerful acoustical pulses by means of correspondingly powerful plasma plumes.
A plasma sparking device can best be understood in terms of an automobile spark plug which can be fired repeatedly. It consists of a casing, paired electrodes and an electrical system suitable for creating a spark discharge across the gap between the electrodes. The spark itself is a rapidly manifesting "plasma" or high-temperature plume of ionized gas. It is, in essence, an explosion and can be likened to the detonation of a tiny amount of TNT with an accompanying report or acoustical pulse.
In underwater applications, the more successful plasma sparking device designs generally consist of a casing with a chamber at one end in which the electrodes are located. This chamber - the spark discharge cavity - has a port which opens to
Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparlcing devices -SPF.CIFICATION
This invention relates to the use of aluminum-wire electrodes and/or high current/high voltage oil-filled capacitors or cyrogenically cooled superconducting field coils in the electrical system of a plasma sparking device in order to produce very powerful acoustical pulses by means of correspondingly powerful plasma plumes.
A plasma sparking device can best be understood in terms of an automobile spark plug which can be fired repeatedly. It consists of a casing, paired electrodes and an electrical system suitable for creating a spark discharge across the gap between the electrodes. The spark itself is a rapidly manifesting "plasma" or high-temperature plume of ionized gas. It is, in essence, an explosion and can be likened to the detonation of a tiny amount of TNT with an accompanying report or acoustical pulse.
In underwater applications, the more successful plasma sparking device designs generally consist of a casing with a chamber at one end in which the electrodes are located. This chamber - the spark discharge cavity - has a port which opens to
3 2~
the medium (water, in this case) to allow egress of the plasma plume when the device is fired by activating the discharge source circuit, thereby creating the acoustical pulse.
~ itherto, relatively low-energy acoustical pulses have been adequate where plasma sparking devices have been intended for underwater acoustical imaging or similar seismlc applications.
These have been obtained in one of the more recent designs by using a suitable number of storage capacitors to accumulate electrical energy and discharge it at rather low voltages (0.8 to 5 Kv) and at fairly modest energy levels (up to lxlO Joules).
Discharge at these voltages is assisted by a trigger spark across the gap generated by a separate electrical circuit (a "trigger circuit" rather than the spark discharge circuit) of high voltage (lOs of Rv) and low energy ( <1 Joule~. (See Canadian Patent No.
12~8851, patented 900508, by R.M. Clements et al.) It should be noted that existing plasma sparking source designs intended for underwater acoustical applications usually have as one of their objects (expressed or implied) provision as necessary for energy discharge sources of high voltage (15 to 30 KV) at low currents (100 milliamps) or comparatively lower voltages (up to 5 KV) at somewhat higher currents (1,500 amps).
Those designs employing high voltage have done so where it has been seen to be necessary to overcome the high brealcdown voltage of seawater. Much thought has been given to ways of introducing
the medium (water, in this case) to allow egress of the plasma plume when the device is fired by activating the discharge source circuit, thereby creating the acoustical pulse.
~ itherto, relatively low-energy acoustical pulses have been adequate where plasma sparking devices have been intended for underwater acoustical imaging or similar seismlc applications.
These have been obtained in one of the more recent designs by using a suitable number of storage capacitors to accumulate electrical energy and discharge it at rather low voltages (0.8 to 5 Kv) and at fairly modest energy levels (up to lxlO Joules).
Discharge at these voltages is assisted by a trigger spark across the gap generated by a separate electrical circuit (a "trigger circuit" rather than the spark discharge circuit) of high voltage (lOs of Rv) and low energy ( <1 Joule~. (See Canadian Patent No.
12~8851, patented 900508, by R.M. Clements et al.) It should be noted that existing plasma sparking source designs intended for underwater acoustical applications usually have as one of their objects (expressed or implied) provision as necessary for energy discharge sources of high voltage (15 to 30 KV) at low currents (100 milliamps) or comparatively lower voltages (up to 5 KV) at somewhat higher currents (1,500 amps).
Those designs employing high voltage have done so where it has been seen to be necessary to overcome the high brealcdown voltage of seawater. Much thought has been given to ways of introducing
4 20~67t more conductive substances between the electrodes to permit sparking at lower voltages.
In other words, a design motive of previous plasma sparking devices intended for marine seismic applications has been to try to avoid incorporating discharge circuits which speciEically or of necessity combine high voltages and high current values. It would appear, indeed, that there is a perceived (though undefined) spread of acoustical pulse energies that is adequate to meet most of the field requirements of underwater acoustical range finders without having to resort to building circuits capable of the rapid discharge of high energy sources (more than 1,000 Joules) at moderate to high voltages (2-plus KV).
Where a plasma sparking device is to be used to generate locally destructive or lethal underwater acoustical pulses, however, the idea is to produce repeatable acoustical pulses that are as powerful as possible. This is best achieved if the plasma plume is created by rapid-discharge energies which combine high voltage and high current. I have found that this requirement is best met by employing high current/high voltage capacitors in the discharge circuit of a plasma sparlcing device. I have also determined that cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils also can be used for this purpose, although present designs do not appear to be as practical in this regard as the high voltage/high current capacitors generally ]cnown as "oil-Eilled."
~d ~4~146~7 The "oil" in oil-filled capacitors is in fact a liquid dielectric (polychloride biphenyl or akylbenzene, for instance) which enables a capacitor to be constructed in such a manner for it to have large internal conductors which optimize energy storage (l,OOO-plus microfarads) and permit rapid discharge. The latter, ~hich also vitally contributes to the power of the resulting plasma plume, can be achieved by use of a thick nichrome (nickel-chromium) wire of very low resistance (preferably 0.2 to 0.4 ohms). The resulting discharges can then be of the order of 25,000-plus amps at 5-plus kilovolts.
Currently available capacitors of a construction other than oil-filled are likely to be damaged or destroyed by this method of discharge at these energies.
Oil-filled capacitors (and cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils) do not have many industrial applications as few electrical or electronic devices require the very large energy pulses that they are capable of. They are more likely to be found in the electrical systems of nuclear or high-energy research installations. They are not necessary for the successful operation of a plasma sparking device when used for underwater acoustical ranging or imaging. Conse~uently, when plasma sparlcing devices are intended for underwater use, their discharge systems utilize non oil-filled capacitors which have fairly modest energy storage and discharge capabilieies.
6 2~4~67 It has been further found by experiment with plasma sparking devices that when the spark discharge occurs between aluminum electrodes, the power of the resulting plasma plume is considerably enhanced. It appears that by vaporizing, the aluminum becomes part of the ionized gas of the plume which otherwise would consist mainly of hydrogen and oxygen. To compensate for the metal the electrodes lose with each discharge, they are made as "feeding electrodes" whereby the aluminum wire for each of them can be continuously advanced in~o the discharge cavity of the device.
When the technological innovations described above are incorporated into a liquid-immersed plasma sparking device, the very powerful acoustical pulses so obtained have a variety of novel applications. These include killing, damaging or otherwise controlling unwanted marine organisms like zebra mussels, sterilizing fluids, separating liquids and solids in suspension9 and the breaking up of submerged solids like sewage sludge.
In other words, a design motive of previous plasma sparking devices intended for marine seismic applications has been to try to avoid incorporating discharge circuits which speciEically or of necessity combine high voltages and high current values. It would appear, indeed, that there is a perceived (though undefined) spread of acoustical pulse energies that is adequate to meet most of the field requirements of underwater acoustical range finders without having to resort to building circuits capable of the rapid discharge of high energy sources (more than 1,000 Joules) at moderate to high voltages (2-plus KV).
Where a plasma sparking device is to be used to generate locally destructive or lethal underwater acoustical pulses, however, the idea is to produce repeatable acoustical pulses that are as powerful as possible. This is best achieved if the plasma plume is created by rapid-discharge energies which combine high voltage and high current. I have found that this requirement is best met by employing high current/high voltage capacitors in the discharge circuit of a plasma sparlcing device. I have also determined that cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils also can be used for this purpose, although present designs do not appear to be as practical in this regard as the high voltage/high current capacitors generally ]cnown as "oil-Eilled."
~d ~4~146~7 The "oil" in oil-filled capacitors is in fact a liquid dielectric (polychloride biphenyl or akylbenzene, for instance) which enables a capacitor to be constructed in such a manner for it to have large internal conductors which optimize energy storage (l,OOO-plus microfarads) and permit rapid discharge. The latter, ~hich also vitally contributes to the power of the resulting plasma plume, can be achieved by use of a thick nichrome (nickel-chromium) wire of very low resistance (preferably 0.2 to 0.4 ohms). The resulting discharges can then be of the order of 25,000-plus amps at 5-plus kilovolts.
Currently available capacitors of a construction other than oil-filled are likely to be damaged or destroyed by this method of discharge at these energies.
Oil-filled capacitors (and cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils) do not have many industrial applications as few electrical or electronic devices require the very large energy pulses that they are capable of. They are more likely to be found in the electrical systems of nuclear or high-energy research installations. They are not necessary for the successful operation of a plasma sparking device when used for underwater acoustical ranging or imaging. Conse~uently, when plasma sparlcing devices are intended for underwater use, their discharge systems utilize non oil-filled capacitors which have fairly modest energy storage and discharge capabilieies.
6 2~4~67 It has been further found by experiment with plasma sparking devices that when the spark discharge occurs between aluminum electrodes, the power of the resulting plasma plume is considerably enhanced. It appears that by vaporizing, the aluminum becomes part of the ionized gas of the plume which otherwise would consist mainly of hydrogen and oxygen. To compensate for the metal the electrodes lose with each discharge, they are made as "feeding electrodes" whereby the aluminum wire for each of them can be continuously advanced in~o the discharge cavity of the device.
When the technological innovations described above are incorporated into a liquid-immersed plasma sparking device, the very powerful acoustical pulses so obtained have a variety of novel applications. These include killing, damaging or otherwise controlling unwanted marine organisms like zebra mussels, sterilizing fluids, separating liquids and solids in suspension9 and the breaking up of submerged solids like sewage sludge.
Claims (20)
1. A process whereby acoustical pulses are obtained from a water- or other liquid-immersed plasma sparking device (or plasma gun or plasma jet), which comprises the employment of one or more high voltage/high current capacitors in the spark discharge circuit of said plasma sparking device.
2. A process as defined in claim 1 in which the high voltage/high current capacitors are of liquid dielectric construction, a type generally known as "oil-filled."
3. A process as defined in claim 1 in which cryogenically cooled superconducting field coils are used instead of high voltage/high current capacitors.
4. A process whereby a larger or more powerful plasma plume is obtained from a plasma sparking device by the employment of aluminum-wire electrodes at the gap where the spark discharge occurs.
5. A process as defined in claim 4 whereby the design of the device allows for the electrodes to be continuously fed to the site of the spark discharge.
6. A process as defined in claim 4 whereby the spark discharge occurs in an enclosed chamber in the device (a spark discharge cavity) which is vented at one end to allow egress of the plasma plume.
7. A process as defined in claim 1 or claim 3 whereby a wire of very low resistance (less than 0.8 ohms) is used to rapidly discharge one or more capacitors or one or more cryogenically cooled field coils.
8. A process as defined in claim 7 whereby nickel-chromium wire is used.
9. A process as defined in claim 1, claim 3 or claim 4 for creating underwater acoustical pulses to locally kill, damage, deter or otherwise control unwanted marine organisms.
10. A process as defined in claim 9 whereby the aim specifically is to kill, damage or otherwise control zebra mussels.
11. A process as defined in claim 1, claim 3 or claim 4 whereby the acoustical pulses so generated are intended to serve to sterilize a liquid 9 separate solids or liquids in colloidal suspensions or to break up solids immersed in liquids.
12, A water- or other liquid-immersed plasma sparking device for generating repeatable acoustical pulses in liquid mediums comprising one or more high voltage/high current capacitors connected in series or in parallel in an electrical circuit that includes a low-resistance (less than 0.8 ohms) discharge wire leading to paired electrodes separated by a gap across which a spark discharge is to occur.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which the high voltage/high current capacitors are of a design which employs a liquid dielectric.
14. An apparatus as defined claim 13 in which the liquid dielectric is polychloride biphenyl (PCB) or alkylbenzene.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which cryogenically cooled field coils are used instead of high voltage/high current capacitors.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 or claim 15 in which any electrode is made of aluminum.
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 in which the electrodes are in an enclosed chamber (the discharge cavity) vented at one end to allow egress of a plasma plume.
18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which the electrodes can be mechanically fed into the discharge cavity.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 or claim 15 in which the low resistance wire is of nickel-chromium alloy.
20. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 or claim 15 in which the low resistance wire has a resistance of 0.8 ohms or less.
END
END
Priority Applications (13)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2041467 CA2041467A1 (en) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-04-29 | Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices |
| CA002088475A CA2088475C (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel (dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control |
| AU82876/91A AU8287691A (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel ((dreissena polymorpha)) and other aquatic organism control |
| US07/972,441 US5432756A (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control |
| CN91105947A CN1041075C (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel control |
| DK91913427.0T DK0541609T3 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Control of zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) and other aquatic organisms |
| ES91913427T ES2067947T3 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | CONTROL OF ZEBRA MUSSELS (DREISSENA POLIMORFA) AND OTHER TYPES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS. |
| DE69106711T DE69106711T2 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | FIGHTING ZEBRA SHELLS (DREISSENA POLYMORPHA) AND OTHER WATER ORGANISMS. |
| PCT/CA1991/000269 WO1992002926A1 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel (dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control |
| AT91913427T ATE117117T1 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | CONTROL OF ZEBRA MUSSELS (DREISSENA POLYMORPHA) AND OTHER AQUATIC ORGANISMS. |
| PL91294211A PL168256B1 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Method of controlling growth of clams and other waterborne organism |
| EP91913427A EP0541609B1 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-07-31 | Zebra mussel (dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control |
| GR950400595T GR3015464T3 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1995-03-20 | Zebra mussel (dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2041467 CA2041467A1 (en) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-04-29 | Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2041467A1 true CA2041467A1 (en) | 1992-10-30 |
Family
ID=4147505
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2041467 Abandoned CA2041467A1 (en) | 1990-07-31 | 1991-04-29 | Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2041467A1 (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-04-29 CA CA 2041467 patent/CA2041467A1/en not_active Abandoned
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0541609B1 (en) | Zebra mussel (dreissena polymorpha) and other aquatic organism control | |
| JP6141267B2 (en) | System and method for generating self-confined high density air plasma | |
| US9233858B2 (en) | System and method for treatment of liquid | |
| US4040000A (en) | Solid state high energy electrical switch for under-sea-water electric discharge seismic generator | |
| CA1268851A (en) | Method and apparatus for generating underwater acoustics | |
| Olson et al. | The physical mechanisms leading to electrical breakdown in underwater arc sound sources | |
| CA2041467A1 (en) | Process for generating powerful acoustical pulses by incorporating aluminum electrodes or high voltage/high current capacitors (or superconducting field coils) in the discharge circuits of plasma sparking devices | |
| US5653052A (en) | Method for immobilizing or killing swimming larvae in a mass of fresh water, and an electric trap for practicing such a method | |
| Luchinskii et al. | Multipurpose transformer-type pulse generator | |
| US3403375A (en) | Acoustic generator of the spark discharge type | |
| US5773787A (en) | Plasma-gun voltage generator | |
| US7251195B1 (en) | Apparatus for generating an acoustic signal | |
| Demidov et al. | Explosive pulsed power for controlled fusion | |
| Van Veldhuizen et al. | Pulsed positive corona in water | |
| SU792566A1 (en) | High-voltage generator of surge voltage | |
| Akishev | INFLUENCE OF CORONA AND STREAMER DISCHARGES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF LARGE AIR BUBBLES ARTIFICIALLY FORMED ON/IN A LIQUID | |
| Kemp | Elements of energy storage capacitor banks | |
| Berger | Effects of surrounding medium on electrically exploded aluminum foil fuses | |
| Martin | Million Volt Repetitive Spark Gaps | |
| SU785968A1 (en) | Current pulse generator | |
| RU2195790C2 (en) | Process of generation of high-power x-radiation pulse | |
| Fortov et al. | Development of accelerator for high-power microwave applications based on the forming line supplied with current | |
| RU2169442C1 (en) | Inductive generator | |
| RU2330345C1 (en) | Method of current switching in heavy-current circuits and associated device | |
| Spirov et al. | High-power pulsed light and possibilities of their application |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |