DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE DEVICE CONFIGURATIONS
A dielectric barrier discharge device includes a dielectric layer that has opposed first and second sides, a first electrode on the first side that defines a ring that circumscribes a cavity, a second electrode on the second side, a gas inlet connected with the cavity, and a power supply electrically connected with the electrodes. The dielectric layer has a surface exposed at a first end of the cavity.
1 . A dielectric barrier discharge device comprising:
a dielectric layer having opposed first and second sides;
a first electrode on the first side of the dielectric layer, the first electrode defining a ring that circumscribes a cavity, the dielectric layer having a surface exposed at a first end of the cavity;
a second electrode on the second side of the dielectric layer opposite the cavity;
a gas inlet fluidly connected with the cavity; and
a power supply electrically coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode.
2 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the power supply, upon activation, generates a plasma from gas flowing into the cavity from the gas inlet and the plasma is expelled from a second, open end of the cavity opposite the first end.
3 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic ring on the first electrode and circumscribing the second end of the cavity, the magnetic ring accelerating the plasma expelled from the second end.
4 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 3 , further comprising an insulation layer between the magnetic ring and the first electrode.
5 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cavity is cylindrical and has a diameter of at least 2 millimeters.
6 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cavity has height and an aspect ratio of diameter to height is greater than one.
7 . A dielectric barrier discharge device comprising:
a dielectric layer having opposed first and second sides;
a first electrode on the first side of the dielectric layer, the first electrode defining an array of cavities, the dielectric layer having surfaces exposed at first ends of the cavities;
a second electrode on the second side of the dielectric layer opposite the cavities;
gas inlets fluidly connected with the cavities; and
a power supply electrically coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode.
8 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the power supply, upon activation, generates a plasma from gas flowing into the cavities from the gas inlets and the plasma is expelled from second, open ends of the cavities opposite the first ends.
9 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the array has a grid pattern.
10 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the gas inlets are in the insulation layer.
11 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 7 , wherein each of the cavities is cylindrical and has a diameter of at least 2 millimeters.
12 . The dielectric barrier discharge device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the dielectric barrier discharge device is in a thruster.