A method of operating a piezoelectric plasma generator including applying an input signal to a piezoelectric transformer of the piezoelectric plasma generator. An absolute value of a peak amplitude of the input signal is periodically reduced and increased to a level smaller and larger than an ignition voltage of the plasma generator, such that plasma generation periodically collapses.

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.

A low-voltage plasma ionizer is proposed. The ionizer may include a resonator module comprising a metal plate and configured to generate plasma by using an electric field, wherein the metal plate comprises a long side extending in a longitudinal direction, a short side crossing the long side, and a slot extending in the longitudinal direction. The ionizer may also include a source generator connected to the resonator module, and configured to supply a signal to the resonator module to generate plasma including plasma ions around the metal plate. The ionizer may further include a fan placed in an XY plane, and configured to move the plasma ion in a direction crossing the XY plane.

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.

An irradiator includes: a piezoelectric transformer accommodated in a housing; a first electrode connected to the piezoelectric transformer, to which a voltage is applied from the piezoelectric transformer; and an irradiation opening that ejects at least one of a plasma generated by the first electrode and an active gas generated by the plasma. At least a part of the first electrode is located between the piezoelectric transformer and the irradiation opening.

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.

An apparatus for producing a plasma including a control circuit which is electrically connected to a piezoelectric transformer in order to excite the piezoelectric transformer. A hand-held device that uses the apparatus. The piezoelectric transformer is constructed of several layers. The control circuit is implemented on a circuit board, and the piezoelectric transformer is held over the circuit board by means of a region of a first end. A high voltage is applied to a second free end of the piezoelectric transformer. The plasma is produced at atmospheric pressure.

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.