An apparatus for generating a plasma above a treatment object. The apparatus includes a plasma-generating element such that during operation the plasma is generated by the plasma-generating element. The apparatus further includes a sealing element attached to the plasma-generating element. The sealing element has a cavity and is configured to form a closed volume with a part of the treatment object, so that at least a part of the cavity is part of the closed volume and, during operation of the apparatus, the plasma is generated in the closed volume. The sealing element includes a reception region that is configured so that a part of the treatment object can be inserted into the reception region. A method is also disclosed for performing a plasma treatment to a treatment object using the apparatus.

In an embodiment a device includes a low voltage assembly having an output contact, the low voltage assembly configured to provide a low voltage at the output contact, a high voltage assembly having an input contact and a transformer and a plug-in connection interconnecting the low voltage assembly and the high voltage assembly, wherein the plug-in connection is configured to provide an electrical contact between the output contact of the low voltage assembly and the input contact of the high voltage assembly, wherein the low voltage provided at the output contact is applied to the transformer via the input contact, wherein the transformer is configured to convert the low voltage into a high voltage, and wherein the device is configured to generate a gas discharge.

A piezoelectric transformer and a method for producing a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes manufacturing a main body having an input region having electrodes and a first piezoelectric material being alternately stacked one on top of the other. An output region includes a second piezoelectric material. The first piezoelectric material is polarized and a removable contact is fitted to an output-side end side of the main body, which end side faces away from the input region. A first electrical potential is applied to the removable contact for polarizing the second piezoelectric material.

A device and a method for improving combustion are disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes a combustion chamber including at least one combustion chamber inlet for feeding in fuel or air or the fuel/air mixture, a reactor chamber connected upstream of the combustion chamber, the reactor chamber comprising a plasma generator, wherein the plasma generator is a piezoelectric transformer configured to operate with a low voltage and a control apparatus for the plasma generator, wherein the device is configured in such a way that even before a start of an actual combustion process at least one gaseous component in the reactor chamber is enriched with radicals and ions by the plasma generator.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a cavitation generation device that includes a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and a propus socket having a channel. The propus socket is rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, and the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position. The cavitation generation device can also include a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inducing a cavitation including biasing a dactyl plunger via a torsion spring, and rotating the dactyl plunger, by action of the torsion spring, into a propus socket. The propus socket includes a nozzle-shaped channel. The method further includes ejecting a socket cavity volume through the nozzle-shaped channel thereby inducing a cavitation event.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a cavitation generation device that includes a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and a propus socket having a channel. The propus socket is rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, and the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position. The cavitation generation device can also include a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inducing a cavitation including biasing a dactyl plunger via a torsion spring, and rotating the dactyl plunger, by action of the torsion spring, into a propus socket. The propus socket includes a nozzle-shaped channel. The method further includes ejecting a socket cavity volume through the nozzle-shaped channel thereby inducing a cavitation event.

A control circuit and a method for controlling a piezoelectric transformer are disclosed. In an embodiment the control circuit includes an inductor and a control unit, wherein the control circuit is configured to apply a voltage with a periodic waveform to a piezoelectric transformer, wherein a period duration of the voltage is specified by a control frequency and adjust the control frequency of the applied voltage as a function of an average current intensity of a current flowing through the inductor.

An apparatus (100) for generating a high voltage or high field strength and a component (200) for generating a high voltage or high field strength are disclosed. A means (20) that is provided in a defined area (23) of the cylindrical and dielectric housing (11) or the sleeve (202) of the component (200). The means (20) ensures that, in a space (15) of the defined area (23), between the piezoelectric transformer (1) and an inner wall (14) of the dielectric housing (11), an essentially symmetrical field distribution (16) prevails. Even with an external influence (80), the field distribution (16) is influenced in such a way that an ignition field strength in space (15) of the defined area (23) is avoided.

In an embodiment a process for producing ozone includes applying an input voltage to an input area of a piezoelectric transformer so that a high voltage is generated in an output area of the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is operated in a pulsed manner such that phases in which the input voltage is applied to the piezoelectric transformer and phases in which the input voltage is not applied to the piezoelectric transformer alternate at regular intervals and surrounding the piezoelectric transformer with an oxygenic process gas so that the ozone is formed from the process gas by the high voltage generated in the output area.

In an embodiment a process for producing ozone includes applying an input voltage to an input area of a piezoelectric transformer so that a high voltage is generated in an output area of the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is operated in a pulsed manner such that phases in which the input voltage is applied to the piezoelectric transformer and phases in which the input voltage is not applied to the piezoelectric transformer alternate at regular intervals and surrounding the piezoelectric transformer with an oxygenic process gas so that the ozone is formed from the process gas by the high voltage generated in the output area.