Ionisation System High-Frequency Royer Oscillator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing ionised gas streams require high voltage AC power supplies and large form factor transformers, making them unsuitable for use in most environments.
Innovation Solution
A DC-to-DC voltage converter and high frequency, high voltage generator with a Royer oscillator circuit and transformer circuit are used to produce a balanced ionisation system with a low voltage input, allowing for a small form factor and auto self-balancing ionisation chamber without ground connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage AC power supply and transformer are used to generate ionisation, then ionisation field is produced effectively, but the system becomes large in form factor and unsuitable for most environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from low-frequency AC to high-frequency AC (e.g., 20-100 kHz), which allows the transformer to be much smaller while still producing the required high voltage for ionisation. The high frequency enables faster magnetic flux changes, reducing the transformer core size needed for the same power transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical AC transformer system with an electronic high-frequency oscillator circuit that generates high-frequency AC directly. This substitution of mechanical/electromagnetic transformation with electronic oscillation eliminates the need for large low-frequency transformers.
2Reliability
If high voltage AC power supply is used for ionisation, then ionisation field is generated, but the system complexity increases due to AC-to-HV transformation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the voltage conversion and ionisation generation functions into a single integrated high-frequency oscillator circuit with a small transformer. This merging of functions reduces the overall system complexity compared to separate AC power supply and transformer components.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from low-frequency AC operation to high-frequency AC operation, the patent simplifies the power supply architecture. The high-frequency oscillator directly generates the required voltage transformation ratio without needing complex AC-DC-AC conversion stages.
3Reliability
If ionisation electrodes are continuously active, then charge neutralisation is maintained, but pin wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching of the ionisation electrodes based on detected ionisation levels. When the neutralising charge drops below a threshold, the electrodes are activated; when sufficient charge is restored, they are deactivated. This periodic operation maintains effectiveness while reducing continuous wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from ionisation level detection to control electrode activation. The system continuously monitors the neutralising charge and adjusts electrode operation accordingly, activating only when needed and deactivating when charge is sufficient, thereby extending electrode life while maintaining neutralisation effectiveness.
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 system generates balanced ionised gas flows efficiently, reducing pin wear and enabling operation in various environments without large transformers, while maintaining effective charge neutralisation.
Implementation Method 1
an ionisation field within the ionisation chamber; a gas supply configured to be introduced into the ionisation chamber through the generated ionisation field to provide an ionised gas flow
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage generator configured for receiving the output adjustable DC voltage as an input and for generating a high frequency, high voltage AC voltage output
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Described herein is an ionisation system (100) which is used to generate a balanced ionisation field in an ionisation chamber (160) from a DC input voltage (105), the ionisation field being used to ionise a gas flow introduced into the ionisation chamber. The ionisation system (100) further comprises a programmable DC-to-DC converter (110) controlled by pulse-width modulation signal (192) from a controller (190) to generate an adjustable DC voltage for a high voltage generator (120). The high voltage generator comprises circuitry to convert the adjustable DC voltage into a high frequency, high voltage AC output which is applied to ionising electrodes (150a, 150b) in the ionisation chamber to generate the ionisation field. Ionised gas stream (180) output from the ionisation chamber is balanced with respect to the number of negative and positive ions generated by the ionisation field.