Wide range static neutralizer and method

Abstract

Static neutralization of a charged object is provided by generating, in an ionizing cell or module, an ion cloud having a mix of positively and negatively charged ions, and reshaping the ion cloud by redistributing the ions into two regions of opposite polarity by using a second voltage. The second voltage creates an electrical field, which is preferably located in the vicinity of the ion cloud. The redistribution of the ions increases the effective range in which available ions may be displaced or directed towards the charged object. The electrical field redistributes ions that form the ion cloud. Ion redistribution within the ion cloud occurs because ions having a polarity corresponding to the polarity of the second voltage are repelled from the electrical field, and ions having a polarity opposite from that of the electrical field are attracted to electrical field. Redistribution of the ions into two regions of opposite polarity in the ion cloud in turn reshapes the ion cloud so that a portion of the cloud corresponding to the repelled ions is displaced by ions attracted to the electrical field, thus enhancing the range in which the ions may be dispersed or directed. This manner of redistributing ions into two regions is sometimes referred to as ''ion polarization'' in the disclosure herein.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part that claims the benefit of US Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 821,773, filed April 8, 2004, entitled "Ion Generation Method and Apparatus." technical field [0003] The present invention relates to a method and device for neutralizing static electricity, and more particularly to a static neutralizer and method for neutralizing charged objects within a wide range of distances from a subgenerating source. Background technique [0004] Known in the art are electrostatically neutralizing ionizers that generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge. These conventional ionizers generally limit the distance of the target object to be neutralized, which may be far from the area where the ions are generated by the corona discharge. Additionally, in conventional ionizers, power supplies that generate higher AC voltages (eg (+ / -) 15kV) are typically used to maximize the number...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Generating AC high voltages sufficient to generate large numbers of positive and negative ions requires more expensive power supplies and results in power supplies that are often difficult to reduce in size and weight

The use of gas is also costly because in some environments the gas must be relatively free of unwanted particles to avoid contaminating the ionization electrodes and objects targeted for neutralization

Also, the use of a gas other than air increases the further cost of obtaining that gas

Images