System and method for forming and controlling electric arcs

• US 20080285200A1
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Extremely Ingenious Engineering, LLC
• Original Assignee: Extremely Ingenious Engineering, LLC
• Inventors: Messer, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/152,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20080285200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/230
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/03 the amplifier being designed for audio applications
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/351 Pulse width modulation being used in an amplifying circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/2173 of the bridge type
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/2176 Class E amplifiers

Abstract

A system and method for growing and controlling an electric arc from an electro-magnetic field generator is described. The arc may be formed substantially straight by growing from successively generated electric fields from electro-magnetic generator, such as a waveform-controlled solid state Tesla coil. The growth and direction of the arc may be controlled by forming a low impedance channel created by an area of focused laser light in the path of the growing arc.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the formation of an electric arc, comprising:

an electro-magnetic field generator that generates a first portion of an electric arc having a beginning at a discharge electrode and a second portion of the electric arc having a beginning at an end of the first portion of the electric arc,

wherein the first portion and the second portion of the electric arc are substantially straight.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the electric arc is formed from a first electric field created by the electro-magnetic field generator and the second portion of the electric arc is formed from a second electric field created by the electro-magnetic field generator.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising.

a laser source emitting laser light that is focused to create a low impedance path for the electric arc.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the low impedance path is formed to grow or change the direction of the electric arc.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the laser light is focused by an optical lens.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the electric arc has an end at a desired target.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the electric arc has a path between the discharge electrode and the desired target that is substantially straight.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

an alternating current drive system is connected to the electro-magnetic field generator.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the alternating current drive system has a saw-tooth waveform output.

10. A system for controlling the formation of an electric arc, comprising:

a laser source that emits laser light to create a low impedance channel; and

an electro-magnetic field generator that forms a substantially straight electric arc, a portion of which is located in the low impedance channel.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electric arc has a beginning at a discharge electrode and an end at a desired target.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein first or second electric arc portion are formed in a low impedance channel.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the low impedance channel is formed by focusing the laser light.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the electro-magnetic field generator is driven by an alternating current drive system having a saw-tooth waveform output.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the electro-magnetic field generator is a solid state Tesla coil.

16. A method of forming a substantially straight electric arc, comprising the steps of:

generating a first electric field emanating from a discharge electrode;

growing a substantially straight first electric arc portion having a beginning at the discharge electrode;

generating a second electric field emanating from the first electric arc portion; and

growing a substantially straight second electric arc portion having a beginning at an end of the first electric arc portion to form a substantially straight electric arc.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein first or second electric arc portion are formed in a low impedance channel.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the substantially straight electric arc connects the discharge electrode to a desired target.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

repeating the generating and growing steps to form a third electric arc portion

having a beginning at an end of the second electric arc portion.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first electric field is generated by an electro-magnetic field generator that is driven by an alternating current drive system having a saw-tooth waveform output.