Electrohydrodynamic Enclosure Ion Distribution for Charge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro hydrodynamic processes like electrospinning and electrospraying face challenges due to accumulated static electric charges on equipment, leading to non-identical initial conditions and deviations in fiber diameter or deposition location, making it difficult to achieve consistent results across multiple runs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves distributing positive and negative ions within the enclosure to set a predefined charge level on non-conductive surfaces, creating a controlled electrostatic environment that neutralizes pre-existing charges and acts as an electrostatic lens, ensuring consistent initial conditions for each process run.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrospinning process is run for a certain time, then fibers are produced continuously, but static electric charge accumulates on surrounding equipment and enclosure surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful accumulated static charge into a beneficial controlled electrostatic environment by introducing ions that neutralize unwanted charges and create a stable charge distribution on enclosure surfaces, transforming the harmful effect into a useful electrostatic lens effect that improves jet stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ions as an intermediary substance between the electrospinning jet and the enclosure surfaces. These ions act as a mediator that redistributes and controls the electric charge environment, preventing direct harmful interactions between accumulated charges and the jet while creating a stable electrostatic landscape
2Duration of action of stationary object
If accumulated charge varies over different electrospinning runs, then equipment can be used continuously, but initial conditions for each process run become non-identical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by distributing ions before each electrospinning run to pre-establish a controlled and identical charge distribution on enclosure surfaces. This preliminary ion distribution ensures that each process run starts with the same electrostatic conditions, eliminating variability caused by accumulated charges from previous runs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (charge distribution) on enclosure surfaces by introducing ions. This parameter change transforms the variable, uncontrolled charge accumulation into a controlled, reproducible charge state, ensuring identical initial conditions across multiple runs while maintaining continuous operation capability
3Productivity
If electric field is present during electrospinning, then fibers are electrospun effectively, but charge accumulation changes the shape of the electric field and causes jet deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful electric field distortion caused by accumulated charges into a beneficial controlled electrostatic environment. By introducing ions that create a stable charge distribution, the patent transforms the unstable, deflecting electric field into a controlled field with improved jet stability and predictable fiber deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ions as an intermediary that mediates the interaction between the electrospinning jet and the enclosure. These ions create a stable electrostatic buffer that prevents direct deflection of the jet by accumulated charges, maintaining jet path control while preserving the effectiveness of the electric field for fiber production
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 approach enhances reproducibility by maintaining identical electric charge distribution, resulting in more uniform and consistent production of fibers or particles across multiple runs, with the ability to control and adjust the charge parameters for precise control over the electrospinning or electrospraying process.
Implementation Method 1
distributing positive and/or negative ions inside the enclosure during a charging period with a certain defined amount of power, wherein the distribution of the positive and/or the negative ions inside the enclosure is performed so that a predefined amount of charge is set on the interior of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
a suitable liquefied material which can be charged may be fed through a small, in most cases electrically conductive nozzle. The liquefied material may be electrically charged by applying a high voltage between the nozzle and a counter electrode. The generated electric field causes a cone-shape deformation of the droplet at the nozzle tip
Implementation Method 3
At a critical electric field, the electrostatic forces at the drop surface, surpasses the liquid surface tension and the liquid starts flowing in the form of a charged thin jet from the nozzle to the counter electrode
Implementation Method 4
During the flight towards the counter electrode the fibrous jet is continuously stretched by the different forces acting on it, reducing its diameter
Implementation Method 5
During this flight the fibrous jet solidifies (by e.g. evaporation of the solvent or cooling of the material) such that a solid fiber is deposited on the collector
Implementation Method 6
The disclosed method further includes providing ions in the spray chamber to subject a surface to be coated to ions to prevent formation of holes or cracks in the deposited coating material
Data Source
AI summary
An improved electro hydrodynamic method is provided. The method comprises arranging (11) an electro hydrodynamic device inside an enclosure and distributing (12) positive and/or negative ions inside the enclosure during a charging period with a certain defined amount of power. The distribution of the positive and/or the negative ions inside the enclosure (20) is performed so that a predefined amount of charge is set on the interior of the enclosure (20). Within a predetermined period of time after the charging period has ended, the electrospinning device is activated so as to create a product. Finally, the product is removed from the device. The present invention offers a solution for the problem of non-identical initial process conditions for an electro hydrodynamic process caused by any electric charges on the equipment.