Triboelectric Particle Source Without High-Voltage Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining a flow of electrically charged particles are structurally complex and require high voltage sources, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A source of charged particles comprising an inner and outer hollow cylinder with a gap between them, where airflow with substance particles is directed along the surfaces, causing opposite electrical charges to form through friction, eliminating the need for high voltage sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage is provided to electrodes for charging particles, then charged particle flow is obtained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high voltage power supply and complex electrode system from the charging mechanism, replacing them with a simple friction-based triboelectric charging system using cylindrical surfaces and airflow, thereby eliminating the need for high voltage sources while maintaining charging functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical field-based charging mechanism (requiring high voltage electrodes) with a mechanical friction-based triboelectric charging mechanism, where airflow carries particles along cylindrical surfaces to generate charge through contact friction
2Reliability
If high voltage sources are used for particle charging, then charged particles are obtained, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive high voltage power supply component from the system, replacing it with passive cylindrical surfaces and an airflow generation system, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while preserving the core charging function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive materials for the cylindrical surfaces (such as acrylic or plastic) that generate charge through friction, replacing expensive high voltage electrode systems with low-cost triboelectric materials
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 design simplifies the process and achieves a flow of charged particles with reduced complexity and cost, utilizing triboelectric charging principles to generate charged particles effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Materials of the cylinder surfaces forming the gap are selected so as the substance particles and the surfaces obtain opposite electrical charges upon friction of the substance particles against the surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to obtaining flow of electrically charged particles of a substance (such as dust). The invention is directed to attaining a technical effect of simplifying design and providing possibility of obtaining flow of charged particles with no use of high voltage sources. The technical effect is attained by a source of charged particles implemented as an inner hollow cylinder and an outer hollow cylinder with a gap between them, with a means for providing airflow with substance particles along surfaces of the cylinders that form the gap. The airflow is directed from first butt ends of the cylinders to second butt ends of the cylinders. Materials of the cylinder surfaces forming the gap are selected so that the substance particles and the surfaces obtain opposite electrical charges upon friction of the substance particles against the surfaces.