Micropulse Bipolar Corona Ionizer for Static Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

AC corona ionizers used for static charge neutralization suffer from high emitter contamination and ozone emission, which decrease ionization efficiency and pose health hazards.

Innovation Solution

A micro-pulse bipolar corona ionizer with an ion balance control circuit, spark surge suppressor, and corona activity circuit, utilizing alternating pulse trains with asymmetrical waveforms to generate bipolar ions with reduced ozone emission and emitter contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If AC corona ionizers are used for static charge neutralization, then ionization function is achieved, but ozone emission and emitter contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone emissionVSAvoidionization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic pulsed voltage instead of continuous AC voltage to generate ions in discrete micro-pulses. This periodic action allows ion generation to occur only during brief intervals when voltage exceeds the corona threshold, while remaining below the threshold during other intervals, thereby reducing cumulative ozone production while maintaining effective ionization during active periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetrical waveforms where the voltage pulse has a rapid rise time to quickly exceed the corona threshold for ion generation, followed by a controlled decay that stays below the threshold. This asymmetrical time-profile separates the ionizing phase from the non-ionizing phase, enabling efficient ion production with minimized harmful byproduct formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Object-affected harmful factors

If AC corona ionizers are used for static charge neutralization, then ionization function is achieved, but emitter contamination rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemitter contaminationVSAvoidionization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By using periodic micro-pulses rather than continuous voltage, the emitter is exposed to ionizing conditions only during brief intervals. This reduces the cumulative time the emitter surface is exposed to ambient particles and contaminants, thereby reducing contamination rate while maintaining ionization effectiveness during active pulse periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically by applying pulsed voltage that exceeds the corona threshold only during micro-pulse intervals. This parameter modulation allows the system to achieve ionization when needed while minimizing exposure to conditions that cause emitter contamination during non-pulse intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces ozone emissions and emitter contamination, maintaining efficient ionization while ensuring ion balance, thus providing a safer and more effective method for static charge neutralization.

Implementation Method 1

These ionizing positive and negative voltage waveforms alternately create voltage gradients across the emitter and said reference electrode, generating by corona discharge an ion cloud that includes positive and negative ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

The positive pulse train includes an ionizing positive voltage waveform, while the negative pulse train includes an ionizing negative voltage waveform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP2673092B1Micropulse bipolar corona ionizer and method
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2673092B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3B
  • EP2673092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2673092B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A solution for static charge neutralization that includes providing at least one pulse train pair (18) to an emitter (12) of an ionizer (10) is disclosed. The pulse train pair (18) is disposed to include a positive pulse train (30) and a negative pulse (32) train that alternate in sequence. The positive pulse train (30) includes an ionizing positive voltage waveform (64), while the negative pulse train (32) includes an ionizing negative voltage (84) waveform. These ionizing positive and negative voltage waveforms (64, 84) alternately create voltage gradients across the emitter (12) and a reference electrode (14) of the ionizer (10), generating by corona discharge an ion cloud (40) that includes positive (34) and negative ions (36).