KR101968795B1 - Multi pulse linear ionizer - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and method for generating ions in a space separating a radiator and a reference electrode, comprising providing at least one pulse train to the radiator, wherein the pulse train pairs are arranged in order Wherein the positive pulse train comprises a first plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses in a positive phase and a second plurality of ionized frequency phases occurring after the positive phase in a positive phase, Wherein the negative pulse train comprises a first plurality of ionized negative voltage pulses in an ionization frequency phase and a second plurality of ionization negative voltage pulses during a negative phase occurring after the ionization frequency phase, ; Each pulse of said first plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of each pulse of said second plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses; The first plurality of ionization negative voltage waveforms each have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of each pulse of the second plurality of ionization negative voltage pulses.

Description

[0001] MULTI PULSE LINEAR IONIZER [0002]

Cross-reference to related application

This application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 918,512, filed March 17, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 049,350, filed March 16, 2008 (U.S. Patent No. 8,009,405) This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 210,267, filed on August 15, 2011.

This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 584,173, filed January 6,

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 023,397, filed February 8,

Applications 13 / 023,397, 12 / 049,350, 60 / 918,512, 61 / 584,173 and 13 / 023,397 are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of invention

The present invention relates to AC corona ionizers for positive and negative electrostatic charging. In particular, the present invention relates to an AC corona ionizer in which by-product discharge such as ozone, nitrogen oxides and the like is relatively low and achieves a low ion emitter contamination rate.

AC corona ionizers are commonly used for static charging of charged objects. It is well known in the art that AC corona ionizers have, for example, relatively simple design, high reliability and low cost features. This feature is especially true for AC ionizers that use a single ion emitter configured as a line of thin wire or point electrode. However, such ionizers tend to have a relatively high ozone release and a higher rate of contamination of the electrodes by collecting debris from the ambient air. Electrode contamination can reduce ionization efficiency and affect ion balance.

Therefore, there is a need for a solution for static charge charging with a relatively low radiator contamination rate, relatively low ozone release, and / or a combination of the foregoing.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an air / gas ionizer and method for generating positive and negative ions to reduce static charge in various objects. Embodiments of the present invention can achieve one or more of the following possible advantages:

(1) provide sufficient levels of positive and negative ion currents while limiting ozone and other corona by-product emissions;

(2) reduce particle build-up at emitter points or wire electrodes and minimize contamination associated with corona discharge particle emissions from the ionization bar;

(3) automatically maintain a balanced ion balance close to zero; And / or

(4) Provides a low-cost power supply and low-maintenance ion generation system design.

In one particular embodiment of the invention, the high voltage applied to the point or wire electrode is designed to have very low power and high ionization efficiency. This is achieved by using very strong microsecond-wide pulses at very low rates. Flyback type generators naturally generate such waves in the resonant circuit. Each wave includes at least three voltage peaks, an initial low amplitude peak, a second high amplitude peak with opposite polarity, and a final low amplitude peak (wave). Typically, a high level of power is used for ionization. The amplitude of the first and third waves can be greatly reduced by appropriate damping, as will be described later. The use of such low power reduces ozone generation, corona by-product production, particle collection and shedding, and wear of the emitter.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the ionization method is such that the applied power is sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge, but generates ozone and nitrogen oxides, corrodes the emitter, and / And providing a relatively short pulse duration that is not sufficient for pulling.

In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the ionization method optionally includes, in order to reduce the effects of normal ion density fluctuations between points and to enable a uniform ion balance distribution along the length of the ion radiator structure, Providing a simultaneous voltage application to the radiator group. In another embodiment of the present invention, this optional method may be omitted.

In another embodiment, a method of generating ions in a space separating a radiator and a reference electrode includes generating a variable number of small sharp pulses and a ratio of pulses, depending on the distance from the emitter to the target .

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus and method for generating ions in a space separating a radiator and a reference electrode includes providing at least one pulse train to the radiator, Wherein said positive pulse train comprises a first plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses in a positive phase and a second plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses occurring after a positive phase in a positive phase, Wherein the negative pulse train comprises a first plurality of ionization negative voltage pulses during an ionization frequency phase and a second plurality of ionization negative voltages during a negative phase occurring after the ionization frequency phase, A pulse; Each pulse of said first plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of each pulse of said second plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses; The first plurality of ionization negative voltage waveforms each have a magnitude greater than the magnitude of each pulse of the second plurality of ionization negative voltage pulses.

1 is a diagram showing voltage waveforms of positive and negative ionization pulses and pulse trains according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a scope screen shot for voltage waveforms of exemplary positive and negative ionization pulse trains in real time domain, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
3A is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an analog / logic base of the present invention for an ionization rod having a one-wire type radiator electrode.
Figure 3b is a waveform diagram for various inputs of the various components of Figure 3a.
4A and 4B are block diagrams of a microprocessor-based embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show multiple pulses of three different modes for optimizing high voltage waveforms (pulse trains) for different charge neutralization conditions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
5D is a flow diagram of a method performed by software executed by the controllers of FIGS. 4A and 4B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
5E is a table showing multi-pulse settable parameters and corresponding definitions and exemplary parameter range values, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 5f, 5g and 5h show multiple pulses of three different modes based on different settings than Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of another embodiment of the present invention as a two-phase ionization bar with two (wire or point type) radiator electrodes.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing various modifications of a magnetostatic ionization structure of a linear rod according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
8 is a schematic diagram of a linear rod with a wire radiator and an aerated ion transport system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these various embodiments of the invention are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

Embodiments of the present invention are applicable to many types of air-gas ionizers configured as an ionizing bar, blower, or in-line ionizer.

Pulse mode ionizers are known in the art. For example, patent applications JP2008124035, US20060151465, and US20090116828 describe AC ionization bars. U.S. Patent No. 8,009,405 discloses a design of an ionizing blower with a high voltage power supply that periodically generates bursts of positive and negative pulses.

These power supplies include a positive and a negative DC high voltage source, and a summing block connected to the ion spinning structure. A low frequency pulse (in the range of about 0.1 to 100 Hz) is generated by independently switching on and off each high voltage source. However, such an AC pulse ionization system is complex, has low efficiency, and particles are liable to accumulate in the ion spinning structure.

One key feature of embodiments of the present invention is the use of a group of bipolar ionization pulses of short duration, which are primarily asymmetric (in the magnitude of positive or negative voltage). Columns of positive and negative pulses (i.e., pulse groups) are applied to the group of linear emitters or emitters.

A short duration pulse (of an asymmetric waveform) produces a high voltage gradient, thereby reducing ion recombination in the emitter and thus increasing the radiator ionization efficiency, and thus a high concentration plus And negative ions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, positive and negative anions are periodically generated by a pulse train having a pulse number variable for each pulse duration, the pulse duration of the pulse train and the voltage amplitude. The number of voltage waveforms can be generated by a small high voltage transformer in which the primary winding is controlled by a low voltage pulse generator and the secondary winding forms a resonant circuit including a reference electrode of the rod and an ion radiator.

1 is a voltage waveform diagram of positive and negative ionization pulses and pulse trains according to an embodiment of the present invention. The low voltage pulses 105a and 105b (for controlling the input of the high voltage transformer) are shown at the top of FIG. Each ionizing pulse, for example a positive pulse, may comprise a sequence of three different voltage wave components. The output pulse begins with a negative voltage wave having an amplitude lower than the corona discharge threshold (see bottom waveform 110 in FIG. 1). The duration of this cycle is in the range of a few microseconds or nanoseconds.

As shown in Fig. 1, the pulse train 105 includes a positive pulse train 105a and a negative pulse train 105b, and the pulse train 105a 105b is arranged so as to alternate in order. The pulse train 105 is provided to the radiator. Figure 1 also shows the effective emitter signal 110 caused by the pulse train 105.

Positive pulse train 105a includes a plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses 106 having a period of Tupulse_rep and a pulse width of Tp during time interval 115 (positive phase 115), a period of time occurring after positive phase 115 A plurality of ionized positive voltage pulses 107 having a period of Tupulse_rep and a pulse width of To (here, To < Tp) during time interval 120 (ionization frequency phase 120) 125 &lt; / RTI &gt; (negative phase 125).

Negative pulse train 105b has a zero value during time interval 115 (positive phase 115), a period of Tupulse_rep during the ionization frequency phase 120, and a pulse width of To (here < Tp) A plurality of ionized negative voltage pulses 108, 107 and 108 are offset from one another and are not simultaneously generated, and a plurality of pulses having a period of Tupulse_rep and a pulse width of Tn during time interval 125 (negative phase 125) Ionized negative voltage pulse 109, wherein Tp and Tn may or may not be the same in time magnitude.

These ionized positive and negative voltage pulses alternately generate voltage hardness across the reference electrode and emitter of the ionizer and generate ion clouds containing positive and negative ions by corona discharge. The positive and negative ionization voltage pulses 107 and 108 during the ionization frequency phase 120 generate an effective emitter signal 110 with alternating alternating pulses 130 of small magnitude, as described in detail below.

As shown during time period 115, waveform 110 includes a high positive voltage wave with a higher amplitude than the positive corona threshold for a given ion spinning structure. In that time period, the ion radiator generates positive ions in the gap between the ion radiator and the non-ionized (or reference) electrode. The gap between such an ion radiator and a non-ionized electrode is shown, for example, in FIG. 6 of the above-cited U.S. Application Serial No. 13 / 210,267. The cation cloud electrostatically repulses from the ion emitter and travels to the reference electrode (or perhaps blows away).

During time period 125, there is a negative voltage with a much lower amplitude than is necessary for corona discharge. This voltage creates a static field that slows the downward movement of the cations and reduces the ion loss to the reference electrode. The amplitude of the negative voltage can be adjusted by the damping characteristic of the HVPS (High Voltage Power Supply) circuit.

A positive ionization pulse follows a high amplitude negative pulse (also shown in FIG. 1) that produces an anion cloud during a short period of time in the same manner as described above. The repetition rate of the ionizing pulse may be in the range of 1 to several thousand pulses per second.

The effective radiator signal 110 includes ionization pulses 142 and 144 and pulses 142 and 144 may follow a smaller negative and positive oscillation 146. [ The negative and positive oscillations 146 are due to the circuit resonance of the power supply used to generate the signal 110 and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. The vibration 146 can be substantially reduced or completely eliminated, for example, by using a damping circuit as disclosed in U. S. Application No. 13 / 023,387.

The deionization pulses 148 and 150 have a polarity (cathode) opposite to the polarity (anode) of the ionization pulses 142 and 144.

Figure 1 also shows a group of positive and negative ionization pulses 130 (at intermediate time points 120 between time points 115 and 125) at the same time. The upper dotted line 135 represents, for example, a positive corona threshold voltage, which is typically within the range of about 4.0 kV to 5.0 kV, and the lower dotted line 140 represents a negative corona threshold voltage, for example, within the range of about 3.75 kV to 4.50 kV. Corona threshold voltage. Pulses exceeding the negative corona threshold voltage produce negative ions and pulses that exceed the positive corona threshold voltage produce positive ions.

A solution for static charge neutralization using a small number of short high voltage pulses 151, 152, 153, 154, 155 in the microsecond range is to provide sufficient ionization to generate less ozone and reduce contaminant collection at the emitter surface It turned out.

Each of the pulses providing alternating positive and negative voltage waveforms comprising a first non-ionizing voltage level, a second ionizing voltage level, a third non-ionizing voltage level, and nonsensical additional vibrations due to circuit resonance A pulse train is arranged. An analog or logic type switching circuit (see FIG. 3) provides a series of alternating positive and negative ionization pulses.

The use of a high voltage flyback (generated by a flyback type generator) in a ferrite core transformer is achieved by using a very small transformer that does not require a voltage multiplier circuit for both positive and negative ionization pulses (e.g., (1 " x 1 " x 1 "). By using a ferrite core with a small gap between the core half and the appropriate voltage vibration damping element, The memory effect can be reduced and ionization pulses of a plurality of series of one polarity pulse or other polarity pulse can be used.

As a result, the rows of ionization amounts and negative pulses (series or groups) provide efficient bipolar ionization for at least one radiator electrode having a length in the range of about 100 mm to 2000 mm or more.

The number of pulses of one polarity can be adjusted for the best object neutralization discharge time depending on the air flow and the distance to the charged target. The concentration of alternating polar ions is sufficient for an ionization rod to neutralize a moving target at a distance greater than about 1000 mm.

Figure 2 shows a scope screen shot for voltage waveforms of exemplary positive and negative ionization pulse trains in real time domain, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the pulse train pair 18 includes alternating positive and negative pulse trains 30, 32 in serial order. Upper dotted line 44 represents a positive corona threshold voltage (e.g., 4.5 kV), and lower dotted line 46 represents a negative corona threshold voltage (e.g., -4.25 kV). The positive corona threshold voltage level 44 and the negative corona threshold voltage level 46 are shown in the real-time domain. Each positive pulse train 30 is arranged to include an ionized positive voltage waveform with a maximum positive voltage amplitude exceeding a voltage threshold for positive ion generation by corona discharge. Similarly, the negative pulse train 32 is arranged to include an ionized negative voltage waveform having a maximum negative voltage amplitude that exceeds a voltage threshold for negative ion generation by corona discharge. Thus, each of these positive voltage and negative ion negative voltage waveform alternately generates voltage hardness over the space between the radiator and the reference electrode, and generates an ion cloud containing positive and negative ions by corona discharge.

The pulse repetition rate can be adjusted according to the required ionization power level and the speed of the moving target. This screenshot shows that the effective ratio of power "off" to high voltage power "on" can be less than about 0.0015. This is because, according to the ionization method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, corona discharge is typically present only for a small portion of time (less than about 0.1%) that is necessary for ion generation but less than that required for particle emission and particle attraction to the ion radiator. .

Experience with one wire type ionization systems (or ionization cells) has shown that voltage waveforms with micronization pulses provide about a 3- to 5-fold reduction in ozone release at approximately the same charge neutralization efficiency. For example, an ionizer similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0232021, powered by a high frequency power supply of AC, may be used to generate approximately 10 billion parts- per-billion, ppb) to about 15 ppb.

3A is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an analog / logic base 300 of the present invention for an ionization bar having one wire type radiator electrode 305. The ion / 3B is a waveform diagram for various inputs of the various components of FIG. 3A. The gas source 310 is arranged to provide a flow of gas and is electrically coupled to the voltage source V +. The pulse train 105 (formed by the positive pulse train 105a and the negative pulse train 105b as shown in Figure 1) is received at the radiator 305. [

The power supply 306 may be part of the analog / logic base 300 or may be a separate component that provides power to the various components of the base 300. In order to clarify the drawing, a reference node (e.g., ground) is omitted in FIG. 3A. The values of the various components shown in Fig. 3A (e.g. passive elements such as resistors, inductors and capacitors) are not intended to limit the embodiments of the invention in any way.

In the circuit operation of the analog / logic base 300, the timer chip U3 315 is connected to the double delay logic chip U1 320, the adder logic chip U2 325, the transistors Q1 330 and Q2 335 and the pulse drive circuit 317 (or the power supply 317) formed by the switching circuit 340. The transistors 330 and 335 may be, for example, MOSFETs. However, The use of MOSFETs (e. G., N-channel MOSFETs or other MOSFET type transistors) is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention in any way.

The timing of the high voltage pulse from the high voltage output transformer 345 first depends on the clock signal generated in the trapezoidal oscillator U1 320. [ The oscillation frequency determines the alternate switch from positive pulse generation to negative pulse generation and is called the operating frequency. The frequency is determined by the fixed capacitor (C1) 346 and the adjustable resistor (R1) 347. Generally, a frequency range of about 0.2 to 60 Hz is used, a low frequency is used for a target at a certain distance, and a high frequency is used for a target at a close distance.

The output signal from the oscillator U1 320 is supplied to the delay element U2 325 and the delay element U2 325 generates the opposite phase signal at half the frequency. The output from delay element U2 325 is then supplied to AND gate U4 340 and the AND gate U4 340 is coupled to transistors 330 and 335 (E.g., Q1 330 and Q2 335).

The main activation pulse is generated by the timer element (U3) 315. (Signal 351) from the output pin 3 (of the timer element 315) is supplied back to its trigger pin 2 and the threshold pin 6. Thus, a very short amount of pulses can be generated in the output pin 3. The pulse width is controlled by the fixed capacitor (C2) 350 and the adjustable resistor (R3) 352. The pulse width is typically adjusted to about 2 to 24 microseconds, depending on the flyback output driver 317 design. The repetition rate of the pulse is determined by the fixed capacitor (C2) 350 and the variable resistor (R4) 354. The repetition rate is equal to the inverse of the pulse period. This pulse repetition rate can range from about 20 to 1000 Hz, thus determining the power output of the high voltage generator and typically about 250 Hz.

The AND gate U4 340 mixes the micro-chopper pulse from the chip U3 315 with the flip-flop signal, thereby causing an activation pulse to be applied to the gates of the driver transistors Q1 330 and Q2 335 Respectively.

One output phase from pin 7 (of comparator 356 of chip U1 320) is used to stop the oscillation of chip U3 315 and therefore the output of chip U3 315 And interrupt the output pulse from the pin 3. This interruption can be used to provide off-time between positive ionization and negative ionization. This interruption is sometimes used to reduce ion-cloud recombination at large target distances or simply to reduce power output. The off-time or dead-time is adjusted by the bias applied to pins 10 and 13 (of comparators 358 and 359 of chip U1 320), respectively.

The formation of the micro-pulse is achieved by the following operation. As an example, a short (microsecond range) positive pulse applied to the gate of MOSFET Q2 335 causes current to flow in the primary winding coils 2, 3, 360 of the high voltage transformer 345, And generates a first small negative voltage pulse across the coil 360. At the end of the negative voltage pulse, a large amount of flyback voltage pulse is generated with small negative and positive oscillations due to circuit resonance.

Alternatively, a short pulse applied to the gate of MOSFET (Ql) 330 produces a large negative pulse. These pulse voltages are amplified and phase-inverted by the secondary winding 362 of the transformer 345 by using a large turns ratio that can be on the order of 50 to 500: 1. Thus, MOSFET (Q2) 335 initiates a negative high voltage pulse and MOSFET (Q1) 330 initiates a positive high voltage pulse. These pulses generate positive and negative ions by the same wire or point emitter.

The positive and negative pulse voltage amplitudes are determined by the following parameters.

1. Turn ratio of transformer (T1) 345;

2. inductance of the transformer primary coil 360;

3. the duration of the MOSFET gate pulse driven at the gate of transistors 330 and 335;

4. The input DC voltage appearing at capacitor 364, which is an electrolytic filter;

5. A damping circuit comprising a damping circuit resistor 365 (e.g. having a resistance of 2 ohms), an inductor 367 (having an inductance of 22 mu H), and a shunt across the primary coil 360 A primary attenuation circuit 363 formed by a resistor Rp 368;

6. Resistance of serially connected transistors 330 and 335 (e.g., MOSFETs Q1 330 and Q2 335); And

7. Capacitive load of the ionization assembly (measured at the output of the transformer secondary winding 362).

The high voltage output pulses from the transformer (T1) 345 have a wave form set by the inductance of the primary winding 360 and a capacitive load at the secondary and primary attenuation components of the attenuation circuit 363. The shunt resistor Rs 365 and the inductor Ls 367 disposed between the transformer center tap 2 and the power input Vin prevent a rapid rise time of the current in the transformer 345 and thus prevent the waveform 110) (FIG. 1) (the portion indicated by 115 in FIG. 1). The third portion 125 (FIG. 1) of the waveform 110 is reduced by the shunt resistor Rs 365. Selected or careful adjustment of such components will cause a maximum ionization efficiency exceeding the high peak level requirement of the second portion 120 (Figure 1) of the waveform 110.

Again, referring to FIG. 2, the high slew rate of the generated pulses is shown. In the case of the primary coil 360, the rising rate of the voltage is about 270 V / 占 퐏 and the falling rate is about 1800 V / 占 퐏. In the case of the secondary coil 362, the slew rate may go up to about 35 (+/- 8) kV / s. Asymmetric positive and negative pulses can be continuously generated by the drive circuit 317 with the use of only one small power high voltage transformer 345 without any boosters, rectifiers and summing blocks.

It is also noted that the pulse repetition rate can be adjusted according to the charge density and the speed of the neutralization target. Other details (e.g., current or voltage signals) associated with signal transmission known in the relevant art are not further described for purposes of focusing on embodiments of the present invention. The various standard signal transmissions that generate AC corona ionizers are described in further detail in the aforementioned references. Waveforms are fixed by the values of resistance, capacitance and inductance (R, C, L, respectively) of all components . The pulse height can be adjusted by changing the pulse duration set in Fig. 3 by resistor ( R3 ) 352 and capacitor ( C2 ) 350 associated with device ( U3 )

4A and 4B are block diagrams of a microprocessor-based embodiment of the present invention. 4A, the pulse drive circuit includes a microcontroller 400 (or other processor or controller 400) for controlling the switching of the transistor 330. [ The microcontroller 400 generates a narrow software-regulated pulse with a width of typically about 19 microseconds under the control of the software, one of which is for a positive ionization pulse, (402b) is for a negative ionization pulse. From the microcontroller 400, pulses are applied to the set of pulse drivers 405 (FIG. 4B), and the set of pulse drivers drives the switching transistors 330 and 335 (FIG. 3A), which may be, for example, To amplify the pulses at an appropriate size. This MOSFET then drives the high voltage pulse transformer 345, as described above.

As an option that may be omitted in other embodiments of the present invention, the microcontroller 400 may also receive the signals 410 and 415, respectively, from the spark detector 420 and the broken wire detector 425 . In the embodiment shown in Figures 3a and 4a and / or other figures herein, the pulse duration is such that the applied power is sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge, but generates ozone and nitrogen oxides, It may be short enough not to corrode and to attract particles from the ambient air. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3a and 4a and / or in the other figures herein, the ionizer has an ionization threshold at a very slow rate, such as, for example, about 250 Hz (or less) instead of the usual about 50,000 to 70,000 Hz (Or relatively strong) ionization pulses that are at least about 1000 V higher, thereby producing ions of lower ozone.

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C show multiple pulses of three different modes for optimizing high voltage waveforms (pulse trains) for different charge neutralization conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Which is performed by software executed by a computer. Modes A, B, and A + B depend on charge neutralization requirements, such as, for example, the discharge time of positive and negative charges, the allowable voltage swing (field effect), and the distance to the target. The microcontroller 400 implements software capable of providing three ionization pulse modes, such as mode A, mode B, and mode A + B, which are used by applications implementing embodiments of the present invention.

Mode A : As shown in Figure 5A, Mode A is defined by a repeating sequence of positive and negative pulses interlacing. After each positive pulse 505 (which exceeds the positive corona threshold 506a), a negative pulse 510 (which exceeds the negative corona threshold 506b) follows, and after each negative pulse 510 Followed by a positive pulse 505 again. Both pulse train 515a and negative pulse train 515b are shown with alternating positive and negative voltage pulses. This mode is typically used at very close target distances (e.g., about 200 mm or less) where the ionization field voltage should be small.

In mode A, the pulse widths 530 and 535 of the pulse amplitude 529, the micro pulse period 525, and the positive micro pulse 505 and the negative micro pulse 510 are respectively controlled by the microcontroller 400 It can be adjusted by the software being executed. Positive micro-amplitude pulse and the positive pulse duration of the micro is controlled by a timer / counter having a load pulse MP _P value at block 563 (FIG. 5d). Micro pulse duration of the negative pulse amplitude and the sound of the micro is adjusted by the load pulse MP _N at block 566 (FIG. 5d). Amount of micro-cycle pulse and the negative pulse of the micro is adjusted by the leaf load rate timer / counter with a leaf rate (reprate) value at block 551 (FIG. 5d).

Mode B : As shown in FIG. 5B, Mode B includes a repetition sequence 540 of both pulses 541 followed by a repeating sequence 542 of the subsequent negative pulses 543, followed by a repetition of both pulses 541 Sequence 540, and so on. Between the positive sequence 540 and the negative sequence 542 of pulses, a small delay 544, called off-time, may be added to reduce the ion recombination sum. The off-time is the time when the ionizing pulse is not generated. This mode is typically used at very distant target distances (greater than 500 mm). Block 554. The number of MP _N value at block 568 (Fig. 5d) to be loaded (Fig. 5d) is used to set (Figure 5b) off-time delay (544) that pulses are not generated. The positive ionization pulse width is adjusted by a load pulse timer / counter having a Tpmax value at block 556 (Fig. 5d) . The positive ionization pulse period is adjusted by a load fall rate timer / counter with a refresh rate value in block 551 (Figure 5d) . The negative ionization pulse width is adjusted by a load pulse timer / counter having a Tnmax value in block 560 (Figure 5d). The negative ionization pulse period is adjusted by a load fall rate timer / counter having a refresh rate value in block 551 (Fig. 5D) .

Mode A + B : As shown in FIG. 5C, mode A + B is a combination of mode A and mode B, where mode A occurs in off time zone (time) 550 and mode B occurs in on time zone (Time) 551 and 552, respectively. This mode is typically used for medium-range (200 to 500 mm) targets where the ionization field voltage needs to be kept low but the target distance is changed with the process. The on time areas 551, 552 are adjusted in block 554. Off-time domain (550) is adjusted by the number of the regions (that is, is set at block 554) _P pulse MP and MP _N for determining the width of the. The positive micro pulse width is adjusted by block 563. The negative micro pulse width is adjusted by block 566. [ The negative ionization pulse width is determined by block 560. The negative pulse repetition rate is determined by block 551. 5D shows various blocks 550-573 that depict other functions of the method 574 performed by the software executed by the microcontroller 400. In FIG. FIG. 5E is a table 575 showing multi-pulse settable parameters and corresponding definitions and exemplary parameter range values, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5f, 5g and 5h also show multiple pulses of three different modes , based on different settings than Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention .

In all three modes, the user can (1) change the pulse width of positive or negative or both and control the amount of ionization in the on-time regions Tpmax and Tnmax independently of the off-time regions MP_P and MP_N ; And (2) changing the ratio of time between the negative on time zone to the positive on time zone. The time between pulses is the same in all regions and can be adjusted to control the magnitude of the ionization power. High power is the case where the treprate is small and generates more ionization pulses more often, resulting in more ionization. On the other hand, larger Treprates produce less frequent ionization pulses, resulting in less ionization.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide an ionization method and associated wiring scheme (apparatus). This embodiment generates very short bipolar micro-pulses and produces efficient bipolar air (or other gas) ionization by normal emitters at normal atmospheric pressure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the high voltage pulse generator can power different ionization cells (structures) with various ion radiators, i. E., A single wire or group of wires, a sawtooth emitter, and a point electrode. The ionization bar may also have an internal source of air flow (air channel) connected to a nozzle, a small diameter aperture or slot disposed proximate the ion radiator. Therefore, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a linear rod with a wire radiator and an aerated ion transport system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is primarily concerned with ionization rod design. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of another embodiment of the present invention as a two-phase ionization rod with two (wire or point type) radiator electrodes E1, E2. In this two-phase ionizer with two emitters, the two emitters can be configured as rows of sharp point electrodes, wires or blades, or rows of nozzles with point emitters. Additional details of each element of the linear bar are disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 584,173.

The design of the high voltage selection uses the same driver circuit for the MOSFET (as described above), but the MOSFET transistor drains M1 and M2 are connected to a pair of high voltage transformers T1 and T2 having opposite connections to the primary winding do.

The control resistor R1 and damping capacitor C2 (in Fig. 6) are selected to produce the same alternating polarity pulse as in the circuit design shown in Fig. Therefore, each pulse will have a predominantly positive or negative peak amplitude and alternate polarity.

In Fig. 7, a capacitor C2 connected in series with the lower leg of the transformers T1, T2 causes the ionization system to operate in a self-balancing mode. The ion emitters on both sides are relatively floating relative to ground, and the output ion cloud must be balanced equally in accordance with the laws of conservation of charge. Otherwise, any normal imbalance will produce an opposite DC voltage across capacitor C2. Additional details of the method for obtaining the balance described above are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 5,055,963. U. S. Patent No. 5,055, 963 is incorporated herein by reference.

The ion radiator connected to the transformers T1 and T2 has an ionization pulse of exactly the opposite polarity voltage. The voltage waveform 602 of this two-phase ionization system is shown in Fig. 6A, and the simplified bar section 605 with emitter 1 (E1) and emitter 2 (E2) Respectively.

This embodiment of Figure 6 has at least some advantages over single-phase ionization systems. Sometimes the object of charge neutralization needs to have an ionizer sensitive to the electric field and having an electric field cancellation effect. The two-phase ionization system simultaneously generates a voltage of opposite polarity, thereby significantly reducing the radial electric field.

This feature is also important when the ionization rod is to be placed close to the charged body. For example, for a distance between the ionization bar and the target duration (pulse duration, amplitude or pulse frequency, etc.) of a positive pulse train, this distance may be longer than for a negative pulse train of one cycle for one radiator , And the state of the opposite polarity in the next one cycle. This will create an ion cloud "pushing" effect and accelerate the movement of the ion cloud to the target.

The two-phase ionization system has no other bulky reference electrode and has the other advantage of avoiding ion losses at such electrodes.

Moreover, the opposite-phase voltage source can reduce the required voltage amplitude in each radiator to a large (nearly two-fold) reduction in order to produce a corona discharge. Therefore, such a transformer may be the same in design, or may have a primary turn ratio for a lower secondary winding number. Lower turns ratio can be used because adjacent emitters tend to increase the electric field between emitter pairs.

Figure 6 also shows an embodiment of a two-phase linear ionizer in which each radiator is capacitively coupled (C3, C4) to the output of the transformers T1, T2. The secondary coils of the transformers T1 and T2 are grounded. This is another variation of a capacitively coupled self-balancing ionization system.

The difference between the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is mainly at a time in response to the ion balance offset. Capacitors C3 and C4 can provide a shorter transition time for balancing. Small capacitors in series with each radiator can also help to fine tune the phase shift between them and limit the current in the case of emitter touch.

Ion balance control:

In one embodiment, the ionizer may comprise a magnetic balance system in several other variations (shown in FIG. 7). The wire radiator (denoted by dotted line 705) may be capacitively coupled to the HVPS output and grounded to the reference electrode, and the secondary winding of the floating transformer, the bilateral radiator, and the reference electrode may be capacitively coupled to the HVPS.

The linear ionizer may also have an active ion balance system that utilizes an external ion balance sensor disposed proximate to the charged target. In this case, the HVPS of the microprocessor based control system and the rod can generate mainly ionized micro-pulses, and ions of one polarity opposite to the charge of the target.

A schematic diagram of a linear ionization bar with a wire type radiator is shown in Fig. The wire electrode 801 is attached to the chassis (or cartridge) of the rod by the spring 802. Spring 802 provides wire tension and is connected to the output of one of the high voltage power supplies described above (not shown in FIG. 8). The reference electrode 803 is configured as two stainless steel strips mounted on both sides of the chassis. The high-strength electric field creates a corona discharge in the form of an ion plasma enclosure that surrounds the wire radiator.

The air holes 804 provide air flow to help the ions generated by the emitter move to the target. Therefore, the ions move to the charged target by the combination of the electric field and the aerodynamic force. As a result, the discharging time for neutralizing the charge of the object is shortened (in the range of several seconds).

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, it should be understood that the present invention is not construed as being limited by those embodiments. Rather, the invention is to be construed in accordance with the following claims.

Claims (22)

A method for neutralizing charges by generating bipolar ions in a corona discharge between a radiator and a reference electrode,
Generating short duration and sharp micro pulses with a short duration,
Each of the micro-pulses including a positive voltage portion and a negative voltage portion,
The micro-pulses are asymmetric in amplitude and magnitude of positive and negative voltages,
Wherein the magnitude of at least one polarity voltage exceeds a corona threshold. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulse duration of the micro-pulses is in the nanosecond range such that the applied power is sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the micro-pulses are applied to the emitter, wherein power applied to the emitter reduces the build up of particles on the emitter point or wire electrode and minimizes contamination associated with corona discharge particle emis- sion from the ionizer, Is arranged in a pulse train having a duty factor as low as 0.1%, sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge while minimizing the generation of oxides. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses comprise a strong ionizing or strong ionizing region, the wave or region having an amplitude greater than the corona threshold voltage for the emitter and a non-ionizing wave wherein the non-ionizing wave has an opposite polarity voltage to the ionizing wave. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: maintaining a ions stream balance fairly close to zero by changing the number of pulses in at least one polarity pulse train. Charge neutralization method. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses comprise low rates of strong micro-pulses to provide a high voltage applied to the group of radiators by use of a low power supply. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulse train comprises a plurality of waves, each wave comprising an initial low amplitude peak, a second high amplitude peak of opposite polarity, and a final low amplitude peak,
Wherein the pulses are arranged in a bipolar pulse train defined by a charge neutralization target. The method of claim 1, wherein simultaneous application of voltage to a group of linear wires or linear emitters is performed to reduce the effect of ion density fluctuations between points and to enable an even ion balance distribution along the length of the emitter. Wherein the charge neutralization method further comprises the step of providing a charge. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a microcontroller to control and adjust the parameters of the pulses or the parameters of the pulse train and to control and adjust airflow to the target. The method of claim 1, further comprising using dual ion emitters to generate voltages of opposite polarity to reduce the radial electric field. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using an AC pulse high voltage source to generate bipolar ions. An apparatus for generating bipolar ions in a corona discharge between a radiator and a reference electrode,
And a pulse drive circuit configured to generate short duration and sharp micro pulses having a short duration,
Each of the micro-pulses including a positive voltage portion and a negative voltage portion,
The micro-pulses are asymmetric in amplitude and magnitude of positive and negative voltages,
Wherein the magnitude of at least one polarity voltage exceeds a corona threshold. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, wherein the pulse duration of the micro-pulses is in the nanosecond range such that the applied power is sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the micro-pulses are applied to the emitter, wherein power applied to the emitter reduces the build up of particles on the emitter point or wire electrode and minimizes contamination associated with corona discharge particle emissions from the ionizer, And arranged in a pulse train having a duty factor as low as 0.1% sufficient to generate positive and negative ions by corona discharge while minimizing the generation of oxides. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pulses include strong ionization pulses at least 1000 volts higher than the ionization threshold at a slow rate of less than 250 Hz instead of the usual 50,000 to 70,000 Hz, thereby producing ions with low ozone Wherein the bipolar ion generator is a bipolar ion generator. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, wherein the drive circuit is configured to maintain a balance of ion currents fairly close to zero by changing the number of pulses in at least one polarity pulse train. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, wherein the pulses include low rates of strong micro pulses to provide a high voltage applied to the radiator group by use of a low power supply. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pulse train comprises a plurality of waves, each wave comprising an initial low amplitude peak, a second high amplitude peak of opposite polarity, and a final low amplitude peak,
Wherein the pulse drive circuit is configured to generate sharp bipolar pulses of varying number, duration, rate and amplitude, as defined by the charge neutralization target. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the drive circuit provides simultaneous application of voltage to a group of linear wires or linear emitters so as to reduce the effect of ion density variations between points and to allow for an even ion balance distribution along the length of the emitters. Wherein the bipolar ion generator is configured to generate the bipolar ion. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, further comprising a microcontroller configured to control and adjust the parameters of the pulses or the parameters of the pulse train, the microcontroller configured to control and regulate airflow to the target. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, wherein the radiator further comprises dual ion emitters configured to generate voltages of opposite polarity to reduce the radial electric field. 13. The bipolar ion generator of claim 12, wherein the pulse drive circuit comprises an AC pulse high voltage source used to generate bipolar ions.

Images