Automatically Balanced Micro-Pulsed Ionizing Blower

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ionizing blowers face challenges in maintaining precise ion balance and efficient air ionization over wide areas, leading to suboptimal static charge neutralization due to limitations in monitoring and controlling the balance of positive and negative air ions.

Innovation Solution

The development of an automatically balanced ionizing blower system that utilizes a combination of air ionization voltage sensors and ionization return current sensors, coupled with a microcontroller-based feedback algorithm, to dynamically adjust the generation of positive and negative ions through micropulse control, ensuring balanced ion flow and efficient air ionization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional ionizing blowers are used, then air ions are generated and directed toward charged targets, but precise ion balance control is difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion balance controlVSAvoidmonitoring and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic ion balance control through feedback mechanisms. Sensors continuously monitor the balance between positive and negative ions, and the control system automatically adjusts the corona discharge parameters to maintain optimal ion balance, eliminating the need for manual calibration and improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic sensing and control systems. Instead of physically adjusting electrodes or flow rates, the system uses electronic sensors and microcontrollers to automatically maintain ion balance, reducing device complexity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If higher air ion currents are used, then static charges can be discharged in shorter time periods, but ion balance becomes harder to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge timeVSAvoidion balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic pulsed corona discharge instead of continuous discharge. By delivering ions in controlled pulses with specific duty cycles, the system achieves high average ion currents for fast discharge while maintaining precise control over the ratio of positive to negative ions during each pulse cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts corona discharge parameters including voltage, pulse width, and frequency based on real-time ion balance feedback. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize both discharge speed and ion balance simultaneously, adapting to changing environmental conditions and target requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 achieves precise ion balance control, enabling faster discharge times and efficient static charge neutralization across wide areas by continuously monitoring and adjusting ion currents, thereby improving the effectiveness of static charge neutralization.

Implementation Method 1

An ionizing blower normally generates air ions with a corona electrode

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

Static charge neutralizers remove static charge by generating air ions and delivering those ions to a charged target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3120429B1An automatically balanced micro-pulsed ionizing blower
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3120429B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2A
  • EP3120429B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3120429B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of automatically balancing ionized air stream created in bipolar corona discharge is provided. The method comprises: providing an air moving device with at least one ion emitter and reference electrode connected to a micro-pulsed AC power source, and a control system with at least one ion balance monitor and corona discharge adjustment control; generating variable polarity groups of short duration ionizing micro-pulses: wherein said micro-pulses are predominantly asymmetric in amplitude and duration of both polarity voltages and have a magnitude of at least one polarity ionizing pulses exceed the corona threshold.