Uniform Electric Field Gas Purifier via Annular Discharge Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purifiers face issues with non-uniform plasma regions due to delicate needle electrodes, leading to reduced ionization efficiency and increased electromagnetic interference, which affects the effectiveness of microorganism destruction and airflow.
Innovation Solution
A gas purifying apparatus with a cylindrical ground electrode and a discharge electrode featuring an annular plate with multiple needles, creating a uniform electric field and reducing EMI, enhancing ion and electron generation for effective air purification and microorganism destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a needle-like discharge electrode is used in existing air purifiers, then ion generation is achieved, but the electrode is delicate and can easily be moved or bent during cleaning or transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge electrode is segmented into multiple needle electrodes arranged in an array rather than using a single needle electrode. This segmentation distributes the ion generation function across multiple electrodes, reducing the burden on each individual electrode and improving overall system reliability while maintaining ion generation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a single delicate needle electrode, the invention creates multiple copies of the needle electrode structure in an array configuration. This copying approach provides redundancy and stability, as the failure or displacement of one electrode does not compromise the entire ion generation system
2Stability of the object's composition
If the needle electrode is bent, then the plasma region becomes non-uniform, but contaminants in areas with greater distance from the electrode are exposed to lower electrical field intensity and fewer ions
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma region is segmented into multiple zones by arranging multiple needle electrodes in an array, each creating its own plasma region. This segmentation ensures that even if one electrode is bent or displaced, other electrodes maintain uniform plasma regions, guaranteeing sufficient ion exposure to contaminants across the entire treatment area
Solution Approach 2:
Each needle electrode in the array creates a localized plasma region with optimal electric field intensity and ion concentration. This local quality approach ensures that contaminants passing through any particular zone receive adequate ion exposure, while the overall system maintains uniform performance across all zones
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filters are added to shield electromagnetic interference in plasma chambers, then EMI is reduced, but the filters increase resistance against air flow through the plasma chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful electromagnetic interference is extracted or removed from the system by strategically positioning plasma chambers and using natural shielding through the apparatus structure itself, eliminating the need for additional EMI filters that would impede air flow and reduce productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves improved air purification by maintaining a uniform electric field, increasing ion and electron production, and reducing electromagnetic interference, resulting in enhanced microorganism destruction and airflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply electrically connected to the discharge electrode and the at least one cylindrical ground electrode so as to produce an electric field and a corona discharge from the discharge electrode
Implementation Method 2
generate ions and free electrons into the gas to ionise substances in the gas for gas purification
Implementation Method 3
the electric field produced between the edge and the corresponding cylindrical ground electrode is uniform such that the gas flowing through the plasma chamber is exposed to the uniform electric field... to electroporate cells of microorganisms in the air for air purification
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas purifying apparatus, including: at least one cylindrical ground electrode configured to receive gas flowing therethrough; a discharge electrode disposed centrally within each of the at least one cylindrical ground electrode; and a power supply electrically connected to the discharge electrode and the at least one cylindrical ground electrode so as to produce an electric field and a corona discharge from the discharge electrode to a corresponding cylindrical ground electrode to generate ions and free electrons into the gas to ionise substances in the gas for gas purification, wherein the discharge electrode and the corresponding cylindrical ground electrode form at least one plasma chamber when power from the power supply is applied, and wherein the discharge electrode includes: at least one annular plate having an outer edge extending towards the corresponding cylindrical ground electrode, and whereby the electric field produced between the edge and the corresponding cylindrical ground electrode is uniform such that the gas flowing through the plasma chamber is exposed to the uniform electric field and to the ions and free electrons for gas purification.