Corona Ionizer Pin Tip and Grid Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ionization technologies for chemical detection, such as radioactive sources and traditional corona discharge ionizers, face challenges due to safety hazards, regulatory issues, and limited ionization efficiency, particularly in generating both positive and negative ions simultaneously for effective gas composition sensing.
Innovation Solution
A corona discharge ionizer device with a pin configured tip electrode and a grid electrode, powered by an alternating current supply, generates both positive and negative ions through avalanche breakdown, allowing for continuous ion production and improved ionization efficiency, and optionally incorporates a UV light source for seed ion creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radioactive sources are used as ionizers, then stable and well-understood ion chemistry is achieved, but health hazards and regulatory restrictions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful radioactive component from the ionization system and replaces it with a non-radioactive corona discharge mechanism. The corona discharge ionizer uses a high-voltage electrode to create ionization through electrical breakdown of gas molecules, achieving stable ion chemistry without radioactive isotopes like 241Am or 63Ni, thereby eliminating health hazards and regulatory restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a non-radioactive copy of the ionization function that replicates the beneficial effects of radioactive sources. The corona discharge produces positive and negative ions through electrical field breakdown, mimicking the ion production capability of radioactive sources while using safe, controllable high-voltage electricity instead of radioactive decay.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional corona discharge ionizers are used, then no radioactive safety issues occur, but ionization efficiency is limited particularly in generating both positive and negative ions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic voltage switching to alternately generate positive and negative ions. The high-voltage electrode switches polarity at controlled intervals, creating positive ions during one phase and negative ions during the next phase. This dynamic approach allows the system to produce both ion types efficiently while maintaining safety, overcoming the limitation of traditional static corona discharge ionizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic voltage reversal to generate alternating sequences of positive and negative ions. The corona discharge is activated in periodic cycles with alternating polarity, ensuring continuous production of both ion types. This periodic action improves overall ionization efficiency compared to traditional methods that produce only one ion polarity at a time.
3Productivity
If high electric field strength is applied in corona discharge, then ionization efficiency improves, but spark or arc formation may occur damaging electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic voltage control with periodic polarity switching to maintain high electric field strength for efficient ionization while preventing continuous arcing. By rapidly alternating the voltage polarity, the system prevents sustained discharge paths that would damage electrodes, yet achieves sufficient ionization during each half-cycle. This dynamic approach balances ionization efficiency with electrode protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic voltage reversal to limit the duration of high electric field exposure. Each polarity is applied for a controlled time interval, allowing ionization to occur without sustaining continuous arcs or sparks. This periodic application of high voltage maintains ionization efficiency while preventing the cumulative thermal and mechanical damage that would reduce electrode lifetime.
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 device provides stable and efficient ionization of gases, enabling effective detection of trace constituents in air and reducing regulatory concerns, with the ability to generate both positive and negative ions continuously, enhancing chemical detection systems like FAIMS.
Implementation Method 1
The alternating current power supply produces free electrons, negative ions and positive ions such that when the discharge electrode is caused to repel positive ions, negatively charged bodies from the gas flow are caused to be directed towards the pin configured tip portion of the discharge electrode
Implementation Method 2
In electric field ionization, a large electric field typically between 107 to 108 V/m is generated between two electrodes. The large magnitude of the electric field accelerates any ions or other free charges within the field thereby causing the accelerated ions or other charges to collide with surrounding gas molecules.
Implementation Method 3
A corona discharge is a type of electric field ionization where a neutral fluid such as, for example, air is ionized near an electrode having a high electric potential gradient.
Implementation Method 4
a light source adapted and configured to provide an ultra-violet (UV) output creating seed ions or other free charges in the gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.