Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-s9k8s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-22T15:34:49.486Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Design of a compact quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for plasma ignition applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 May 2011

Franz A. Pertl*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Phone: + 1 304 293 3256.
Mary Ann Clarke
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
James E. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. Phone: + 1 304 293 3256.
*
Corresponding author: F. A. Pertl Email: franz.pertl@mail.wvu.edu

Abstract

Atmospheric and higher pressure RF and microwave plasma sources have numerous applications including material processing and spectroscopy. More recently, advantages in using such discharges for combustion ignition are being investigated. A particularly simple and compact microwave discharge generating device is the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator (QWCCR). This paper presents a new, compacted design of such a device. A simple approximate analysis of the quality factor, Q, which is a measure of the resonant electromagnetic potential step-up capability is given, and compared to experimentally measured quality factors showing reasonable agreement. Analytic results indicate that the foreshortened folded cavity quality factors are comparable to tapered coaxial cavity designs.

Type
Industrial and Engineering Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1]Nash, M.A.: The coaxial cavity resonator and R.F. power processing, Master Thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1988.Google Scholar
[2]Bonazza, T.J.; VanVoorhies, K.L.; Smith, J.E.: RF plasma ignition system concept for lean burn internal combustion engines, in Proc. 27th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., San Diego, CA, 1992, 4.315–4.319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[3]Stiles, R.D.; Thompson, G.J.; Smith, J.E.: Investigation of a radio frequency plasma ignitor for possible internal combustion engine use, in SAE Paper 970071, SAE Int. Congress and Exposition, Detroit, MI, 1997.Google Scholar
[4]McIntyre, D.L.: The coaxial cavity resonator as a prototype RF IC engine ignition source, Masters Thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 2000.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[5]Pertl, F.A.; Smith, J.E.: Feasibility of pulsed microwave plasma ignition for use in SI-engines, in ICEF2007-1776, Proc. of the ASME Int. Combustion Engine Division 2007 Fall Technical Conf., Charleston, SC, 2007.Google Scholar
[6]Pertl, F.A.; Lowery, A.D.; Smith, J.E.: Investigation of wire grid modeling in NEC applied to determine resonant cavity quality factors. Appl. Comput. Electromagn. Soc. J., 22 (3) (2007), 420423.Google Scholar
[7]Pertl, F.A.; Smith, J.E.: High-level modeling of an RF pulsed quarter wave coaxial resonator with potential use as an SI ignition source, in SAE Paper SP-2180, SAE World Congress & Exhibition, Detroit, MI, 2008.Google Scholar
[8]Wilhelm, J.P.; Pertl, F.A.; Wildfire, P.E.; Smith, J.E.: Ignition energy testing of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator with air-liquefied-gas mixtures, in AIAA Paper 2008-3775, 39th American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Plasmadynamics and Laser Conf., Seattle, WA, 2008.Google Scholar
[9]Van Voorhies, K.L.; Bonassa, T.L.; Smith, J.E.: Analysis of RF corona discharge plasma ignition, in SAE Paper 929502, Technology for Energy Efficiency in the 21st Century, Proc. 27th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., San Diego, CA, 1992, 4.327–4.334.Google Scholar
[10]Lowery, A.L.; Pertl, F.A.; Smith, J.E.: Numerical investigation of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator quality factor through wire grid modeling in NEC, in 22nd Annual Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics, Miami, FL, 2006, 659663.Google Scholar
[11]Lowery, A.D.: An experimental and computational investigation of dielectrics for use in quarter wave coaxial cavity resonators, Master Thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 2006.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[12]Pertl, F.A.; Smith, J.E.: Electromagnetic design of a novel microwave internal combustion engine ignition source, the quarter wave coaxial cavity igniter. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. D, J. Automob. Eng., 223 (11) (2009), 14051417.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[13]Gilmour, A.S.: Microwave Tubes, Artech House Inc., Norwood, MA, USA, 1986.Google Scholar
[14]Moreno, T.: Microwave Transmission Design Data. Dover Publications, New York, NY, 1948.Google Scholar
[15]Clayton, R.P.: Analysis of Multiconductor Transmission Lines. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1994.Google Scholar
[16]Pertl, Conical QWCCR Resonator Geometry, Plasma Internal Report 051102, West Virginia University/Center for Industrial Research Applications, Morgantown, WV, 1995.Google Scholar