Balanced Micro-Pulsed Ionizer Blower Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wide area coverage ionizing blowers face challenges in achieving efficient air ionization with short discharge times while maintaining tight ion balance control, as existing systems struggle to automatically balance the ion stream created in bipolar corona discharge.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and apparatus for an automatically balanced ionizing blower, which utilizes a bipolar corona discharge system with a fan to distribute ions efficiently, combined with sensors and a feedback algorithm to monitor and adjust ion balance by controlling pulse width, repetition rate, and pulse count, ensuring equal positive and negative ion currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bipolar corona discharge is used to generate air ions, then air ionization efficiency is improved, but ion balance control becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair ionization efficiencyVSAvoidion balance control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors ion balance using a charge plate monitor and automatically adjusts the pulse width, repetition rate, and pulse count of the bipolar corona discharge to maintain equal positive and negative ion currents, resolving the contradiction between high ionization efficiency and precise ion balance control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters (pulse width, repetition rate, pulse count) in real-time based on feedback from the charge plate monitor, allowing the ionization system to adapt and maintain optimal ion balance while operating at high efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If higher air ion currents are used to discharge static charges faster, then discharge time is reduced, but ion balance control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge timeVSAvoidion balance control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control system continuously monitors ion balance even during high-current operation and makes real-time adjustments to the bipolar corona discharge parameters, enabling the system to maintain precise ion balance control while operating at high ion currents for rapid static charge discharge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If automatic balance control is implemented with sensors and feedback algorithms, then ion balance precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion balance controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a charge plate monitor to automatically detect ion balance conditions and a feedback algorithm to self-adjust the bipolar corona discharge parameters without external intervention, achieving precise ion balance control while minimizing the need for complex external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables efficient air ionization with short discharge times and precise ion balance control, ensuring effective static charge neutralization by automatically adjusting ion generation parameters based on real-time sensor feedback.

Implementation Method 1

bipolar corona discharge system with a fan to distribute ions efficiently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

uses a fan (or fans) to direct air ions toward the target of interest

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

sensors and a feedback algorithm to monitor and adjust ion balance by controlling pulse width, repetition rate, and pulse count

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3545592B1Control system of a balanced micro-pulsed ionizer blower
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3545592B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2A
  • EP3545592B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3545592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system of a balanced micro-pulsed ionizing blower is provided, the control system comprising: a micro-pulsed high voltage AC (alternating current) power source 230 configured to generate short duration positive polarity ionizing pulses 801 and short duration negative polarity ionizing pulses 802; an ion balance control system configured to receive output signals 250 from at least one of a remote ionization current return sensor 204 or a remote ionization voltage sensor 101 in a time interval between the ionizing pulses; and a microcontroller 201 configured to control the AC power source based on the output signals.