Manipulation of flames and related methods and apparatus

Abstract

Manipulation of flames is described using electric fields. In those instances in which electric fields are used, the electric fields may be time-varying gradient electric fields, and in some instances may be oscillating electric fields. The manipulation may include extinction, suppression, control of mixing of the flame, concentration, and/or bending, among other types.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 manipulating a flame by applying a time-varying three-dimensional gradient electric field to the flame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the time-varying three-dimensional gradient electric field has a magnitude given by E≈1 MV/m, a gradient between dE/dr≈10 7  V/m 2  and dE/dr≈10 9  V/m 2 , and a frequency given by f≈1000 Hz. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flame is generated by a liquid fuel source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flame is generated by a gaseous fuel source. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flame is generated by a solid fuel source. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flame is a toluene flame. 
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 extinguishing a flame by application of an oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field to the flame.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field has a gradient of approximately dE/dr≈=10 8  V/m 2  at a center of the flame. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein extinguishing the flame by application of an oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field comprises inducing lift off of the flame by application of the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising using an electrode to apply the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field to the flame. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising applying the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of the flame. 
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising:
 suppressing a flame by application of an oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field has a gradient of approximately dE/dr≈10 8  V/m 2  at a center of the flame and a magnitude of approximately 1 MV/m at the center of the flame. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein suppressing a flame comprises preventing contact between a flame and a fuel source. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein preventing contact between the flame and the fuel source comprises creating an outflow from the flame that diverts the fuel source from the flame. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 bending a flame by application of an oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field to the flame.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field has a gradient of approximately dE/dr≈10 8  V/m 2  at a center of the flame and a magnitude of approximately 1 MV/m at the center of the flame. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 controlling mixing in a flame by application of an oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field to the flame.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field has a gradient of approximately dE/dr≈10 8  V/m 2  at a center of the flame and a magnitude of approximately 1 MV/m at the center of the flame. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 concentrating a flame by application of an oscillating electric field to the flame.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the oscillating three-dimensional gradient electric field has a gradient of approximately dE/dr≈10 8  V/m 2  at a center of the flame and a magnitude of approximately 1 MV/m at the center of the flame. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising applying the oscillating gradient electric field in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of flow of the flame. 
     
     
         23 . A method, comprising:
 manipulating a flame by applying a time-varying electric field to the flame, the time-varying electric field being non-uniform in three dimensions.