Multi Pulse Linear Ionizer Reducing Ozone and Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
AC corona ionizers face challenges with high ozone emission and electrode contamination, which decrease ionization efficiency and affect ion balance, necessitating a solution for low ozone emission and reduced emitter contamination.
Innovation Solution
The use of low-power, high-ionization-efficiency pulses with a flyback-type generator and resonant circuit to produce bipolar ionizing pulses, reducing ozone generation and contamination, while maintaining ion balance through alternating positive and negative voltage waveforms and a self-balancing ionization system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If AC corona ionizers use a single ion emitter configured as a line thin wire or line of pointed electrodes, then the design is simple, reliable, and low cost, but the ozone emission is relatively high and the electrode contamination rate is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The single ion emitter is divided into multiple discrete pointed electrodes arranged in a line. Each electrode operates independently as a separate ionization source, allowing the system to maintain structural simplicity while reducing the ionization load on each individual electrode, thereby decreasing ozone generation and contamination per electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion emitter is configured to operate with periodic pulsing rather than continuous operation. This periodic activation allows the electrodes to rest between ionization cycles, reducing cumulative contamination buildup and ozone accumulation in the surrounding environment while maintaining effective ionization during active periods.
2Productivity
If high power is applied to the ion emitter to increase ionization efficiency, then more ions are produced, but ozone generation and particle collection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies high voltage pulses that exceed the corona discharge threshold only for brief periods, rather than maintaining continuous high power operation. This partial application of excessive voltage during short intervals produces sufficient ions for effective neutralization while limiting the total energy input that would otherwise generate excessive ozone and attract particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionization process utilizes rapid changes in voltage parameters through pulsed operation. By varying the voltage amplitude and duration of pulses, the system optimizes ion production efficiency while keeping the average power input low enough to prevent excessive ozone generation and particle attraction.
3Reliability
If continuous ion emission is maintained to ensure sufficient ion current, then static charge neutralization is effective, but emitter contamination builds up continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The ion emitter operates in periodic cycles of activation and rest. During active periods, ion emission occurs at high intensity to effectively neutralize static charges. During rest periods, the emitter is inactive, allowing contamination to be minimized and preventing continuous buildup on the electrode surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic pulsing is designed to maintain continuous effective charge neutralization by ensuring that ion emission occurs frequently enough to handle the static charge accumulation rate in the environment, while the brief rest periods prevent contamination buildup. This creates a continuous useful action without the need for continuous high-power operation.
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 significantly reduces ozone emission and emitter contamination, maintaining efficient ionization with a balanced ion stream and low maintenance, achieving effective static charge neutralization with reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
AC corona ionizers are commonly used for static charge neutralization of charged objects
Implementation Method 2
A flyback type generator produces such waves naturally in a resonant circuit
Implementation Method 3
an air/gas ionizing apparatus and method that produce both positive and negative ions for reducing electrostatic charges on various objects
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus and a method for generating ions within a space separating an emitter and a reference electrode, including: providing at least one pulse train to the emitter, the pulse train pair including a positive pulse train and a negative pulse train the alternate in sequence, the positive pulse train including a first plurality of ionizing positive voltage pulses during a positive phase and a second plurality of ionizing positive voltage pulses during an ionization frequency phase which occur after the positive phase, and the negative pulse train including a first plurality of ionizing negative voltage pulses during the ionization frequency phases a second plurality of ionizing negative voltage pulses during a negative phase which occur after the ionization frequency phase; wherein each of the first plurality of ionizing positive voltage pulses has a greater magnitude than a magnitude of each of the second plurality of ionizing positive voltage pulses; and wherein each of the first plurality of ionizing negative voltage waveform has a greater magnitude than a magnitude of each of the second plurality of ionizing negative voltage pulses.