Plasma sensors and related methods
First Claim
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1. A method of preventing an incipient stall of a fluid flow in an axial flow device comprising:
- mounting a plasma probe to an inner surface of a housing of the axial device, the housing of the axial flow device having an inner surface, an outer surface, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a plurality of blades rotatable within the housing;
rotating the plurality of blades within the housing to create the fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;
generating a voltage to form a plasma, the plasma being exposed to the fluid flow;
detecting periodically at least one characteristics of the generated plasma;
measuring the characteristic of the generated plasma as the plasma is disturbed by the fluid flow;
identifying a variation in the measured characteristic of the generated plasma to predict the incipient stall of the fluid flow;
comparing the measured characteristic to a threshold to identify the variation; and
modifying the rotation of the plurality of blades to prevent the incipient stall of the fluid flow.
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Abstract
Plasma sensors, systems and related methods are described. An example method for predicting an event includes providing a carrier signal across two electrodes and forming a plasma between the two electrodes. The example method also includes measuring a modulated signal from the plasma, manipulating the modulated signal to produce a value and comparing the value to a threshold. Finally, the example method includes determining the likelihood of the event based on the comparison.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of preventing an incipient stall of a fluid flow in an axial flow device comprising:
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mounting a plasma probe to an inner surface of a housing of the axial device, the housing of the axial flow device having an inner surface, an outer surface, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a plurality of blades rotatable within the housing; rotating the plurality of blades within the housing to create the fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; generating a voltage to form a plasma, the plasma being exposed to the fluid flow; detecting periodically at least one characteristics of the generated plasma; measuring the characteristic of the generated plasma as the plasma is disturbed by the fluid flow; identifying a variation in the measured characteristic of the generated plasma to predict the incipient stall of the fluid flow; comparing the measured characteristic to a threshold to identify the variation; and modifying the rotation of the plurality of blades to prevent the incipient stall of the fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A plasma sensor for detecting a change in a characteristic of a fluid flow in a device comprising:
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a plasma probe mountable in a housing having an inner surface, an outer surface, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a plurality of blades rotatable within the housing to cause a fluid flow proximate the inner surface, the plasma probe configured to generate plasma proximate to the plurality of blades and exposed to the fluid flow; a signal generator to generate a signal to the plasma probe to cause the plasma probe to generate the plasma; a detection probe to periodically detect at least one characteristic of the generated plasma; a signal measuring device to measure the detected characteristic; and a processor configured to identify a variation in the detected characteristic of the generated plasma and provide an output indicating the change, wherein the processor identifies the variation in the detected characteristic of the generated plasma by comparing the detected characteristic to a threshold characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A flow stall avoidance system comprising:
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a flow device having a housing and a plurality of blades rotatable within the housing to cause a fluid flow within the housing; a plasma probe adapted to receive an electric signal to generate a plasma, the plasma probe being mounted within the housing such that the generated plasma is influenced by the fluid flow; an electric signal generator to generated the plasma; a detection probe proximate the plasma probe to periodically measure a modulated signal from the plasma; a signal measuring device to manipulate the modulated signal; a processor to identify a variation in the manipulated signal and output an indication of an incipient stall of the axial flow device, wherein the processor identifies the variation in the manipulated signal of the generated plasma by comparing the manipulated signal to a threshold; and a stall management system to receive the indication of the incipient stall and to influence the operation of the flow device to avoid the stall. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification