Ion Generation Apparatus

Abstract

The invention concerns ion generation and dispensing apparatus having module form with an electrically conductive bus to which groups of ion generating radiants or clusters are connected, the modules being constructed for connection in series; the provision of means to dispense vapor in air flow created by the flow of such ions; means to use such ions to effect particle collection on surfaces; and means to control such ion polarity in relation to external conditions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ion generation and dispensing apparatus, and more particularly concerns easily installable equipment for generating ions and dispensing them over large areas.

In certain processing industries the buildup of static charge has long been known as a critical problem. For example, in cotton gins static charge accumulates in lint cleaners, slides, feed distributors and rollers; in paper processing static charge builds up on printing presses and rollers; textile mill card webs, silver and tow and looms constitute problem areas; and charge collects in dry weather when people walk on certain types of carpeting, as is well known. Such static charge buildup reduces substantially the efficiency of processing materials in such industries, and static discharge or sparking encountered by people walking over carpets is very objectionable.

In the past, various devices have been constructed to alleviate these problems, one such device being described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,344 to Harold W. Smith et al. While that device is very effective, there remains a need for an easily installable system of such devices capable of distributing ions over large work or walking areas of many different shapes and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide solutions to the above described problems through the provision of ion generation and dispensing apparatus having module form and facilitating ease of assembly of multiple modules to desired length for ready installation in static problem areas of various sizes. Basically, the apparatus module comprises an elongated insulative member forming a recess or recesses opening sidewardly; an electrically conductive bus extending lengthwise in the member; multiple electrically conductive inserts carried in the recess structure to have electrical connection to the bus, and multiple electrically conductive needles or metal radiants carried by the inserts in the recesses to project toward the recess openings so that electrical charge flowing to the needle tips will leave the tips and generate ions flowing away from the member. As will be seen, several such members may be connected in end-to-end relation so that the busses therein have electrical interconnection, whereby an ion generation system of desired length may readily be fabricated or assembled, or multiple systems connected.

Typically, the inserts may have threaded connection to the electrical bus; the needle tips may be located in enlarged portions of the recesses directly inwardly of the recess side openings; and the insulative member may be formed of molded or extruded plastic with a shaped recess extending lengthwise continuously to receive the bus.

Another important object of the invention has to do with the provision of an aperture contained by the insulative member or a hollow bus member to pass a stream of gas from within the member toward the recess to assist in carrying ions away from the member. The aperture may for example extend lengthwise within the member, either within or outside of the bus, and when the members are connected in end-to-end relation to form a system, the apertures or channels in the members are placed in end-to-end communication, as will be seen. Also, small side outlets may be formed along the channels to pass the gas in close proximity to the needles to assist in ion separation and flow to penetrate the work area.

Further objects include the provision of means to dispense vapor in air flow created by ion flow; means to use ions to clear contaminant particles from a confined zone; means to use ions to effect particle collection on surfaces, as for example foliage, as will be described in detail; and means to control ion polarity in response to external conditions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a system of insulative members incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section like FIG. 2, but showing a modified member;

FIG. 5 is a section like that of FIG. 3, but showing insulative members of FIG. 4 modified type;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation, similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing still another modified member;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 show applications of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a high voltage multiplying circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2 an elongated insulative plastic member 10 contains a series of recesses 11 which open sidewardly. The member 10 also contains a lengthwise extending electrically conductive bus 12 which may be inserted into a channel 13 forward in member 10 upon extension. Prior to such insertion, the recesses 11 may be formed in the member at spaced locations.

Multiple electrically conductive inserts are carried in the recesses to have electrical connection to the bus. Also, multiple electrically conductive radiating clusters are carried by the inserts in the recess or recesses to project toward the recess mouths 11a, so that electrical charge flowing to the cluster tips will leave the latter and generate ions flowing sidewardly away from the member 10. In the illustrated example, threaded inserts 15 carry the clusters 16, and are threaded into tapped openings 17 in the bus to depths such that the clusters are received into the recesses 11.

The cluster may, for example, include multiple needles directed in mutually diverging relation, with multiple needles 16a clustered about an axis defining central needle 16b. A source 18 of high voltage, when connected to the bus, produces a corona effect at the needle tips to generate ions with electrical repulsion effect in the space about the needles, thereby to establish an ion stream flowing rapidly with high ion concentrations penetrating for several yards toward work to be charged or neutralized. One useful circuit to provide the source 18 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,344 referred to above. Recess 11 is shaped to aid the flow of such ions, and includes a conical shoulder 20 merging with cylindrical bore 21, the latter in turn merging with a conical bevel 22 at the recess mouth. Note that the needle tips are located in the enlarged portions of the recesses formed by the bores 21. The inserts and needles of course are electrically conductive. Member 10 may for example consist of a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene or polyvinylchloride.

Referring to FIG. 3, the members 10 may be connected in end-to-end relation so that the buses therein have electrical interconnection whereby a system of such modular members may be easily constructed to desired length corresponding to the size of work to be treated. Thus, unit installations may be made at intervals along ceilings or walls to treat large areas. For example, a hallway is shown in FIG. 8 with such a system installed at 24 along a corner between the wall and ceiling, with the needles directed downwardly to eject ions toward the walkway above carpet 25. The ends of the members 10 in FIG. 3 have interfitting connection, i.e., a nose 26 on one member is received into the recessed end 27 of the other member, with tapered shoulder interfit at 28. The buses 12 also interfit as shown at 29, within the nose 26 for protection. Suitable brackets 30 interconnect the members as shown in FIG. 1. Multiple members 10 of various types may thus be connected to a single power source, by insulated cable.

FIG. 8 also shows radiating clusters 16d installed in a ceiling and wall to completely control positive or negative ion conditioning of the room or hall atmosphere. Grounding the floor or walkway, or lower walls 83, as at 84, causes ion charged dust collection on the floor or walls, clearing the atmosphere.

Another aspect of the invention concerns the provision of an aperture in the member 10 to pass a stream of gas from within the member toward the recesses 11 to assist in carrying the ions away from the member, as by "wiping" them off the cluster tips. In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the aperture 31 is formed to extend lengthwise within the member at the side of the bus opposite the recesses, air being delivered via a suitable blower 32. The bus 12a and insert 15a are also apertured at 33 and 34 to pass the gas stream directly toward and through the cluster. If desired, a medicated vapor may be delivered to the air stream, as from a source 35 having an outlet passing to the air conduit 36 leading to the aperture 31.

A variational form of air delivery is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the electrical bus 38 in the form of an air delivery tube received by the V-shaped insulative member 39 and attached thereto. Holes drilled in the tube at 40 pass air to flow over the needle cluster 41. The latter is attached to the tube via insert 42. The FIG. 13 variation is like FIG. 7, and in addition includes means for dispersal of vapor, as for example medicated vapor in the ion stream. In one form, liquid 110 is contained in the tubular bus 38a, and a wick 111 has one end in that liquid and its opposite end 111a projecting from insert 42 for exposure to the air stream created and impelled forwardly by the forward movement of ions created by the cluster 41a. Liquid molecules evaporate from the wick end 111a as vapor and travel forwardly with the air stream. In another form, a wick 113 may protrude from a separate container 114 for the liquid, and into the air flow path as shown. A nozzle may be used in place of the wick.

FIG. 9 illustrates another application of the invention, the ion delivery device 43 of FIG. 2, 4 or 7 type being carried by a room air conditioner unit 44. Ions are caused to flow into the conditioned air stream delivered via the grille 45, for treatment in the room area.

FIG. 10 illustrates an unusually advantageous voltage multiplying circuit employing rectifiers and capacitors, and capable of increasing the voltage delivered to the ion gun 16 to 18,000 volts, from a 115 volt AC source 50. The network 51 includes two halves, 51a having a negative output terminal 52, and 51b having a positive output terminal 53.

Network half 51a includes a rectifier (diode) 54 between terminal 52 and the end terminal 55 of transformer winding 61. A capacitor 56 is connected between one side of rectifier 54 and ground; series connected rectifier 57 and capacitor 58 are connected between the opposite side of rectifier 54 and ground; and series connected capacitor 59 and rectifier 60 are connected between said opposite side of rectifier 54 and ground. Finally, a rectifier 62 is connected between points 63 and 64, as shown.

Similarly, network half 51b includes a rectifier 65 connected between positive terminal 53 and end terminal 55 of the winding 61. Capacitor and rectifier elements 66-71 are connected as shown. Thus, the line 72 to the ion guns may be connected with either negative or positive high voltage terminals, 52 or 53.

While AC systems of many varied needle configurations have been used in the past, they have tended to restrict the distance ions can be projected from the needles; further, using AC application to the needles, the latter tend to attract dirt and clog easily. We have found, however, that using either a positive or negative voltage application tends to keep the units clean and in workable condition. The same result can be achieved using positive voltage for some time, then negative voltage for some time, et seq. FIG. 11 shows sources 18a and 18b of high positive and negative DC voltage, and a switch 80 controllable at 81 (as for example in response to atmospheric charge or vapor conditions) alternately to connect these sources with the member 16a carrying needle clusters, which may be as described above at 16. Solid state switches such as SCR's may be used in place of switch 80. A timed sequence flow of positive and negative ions may thus be created to modulate atmospheric conditions.

FIG. 12 shows another application of the invention wherein particulate material such as dust or spray 86 (as for example pesticide) is treated with ions 87, whereby the particles will take on electrical charge so as to attach or cling to objects. Thus sprays can be made to cling to walls and floors within buildings, and pesticide dust can be made to cling to foliage. Limbs and leaves of foliage tend to carry an electrical charge, so that ion treated dust of opposite charge will be attracted to such foliage. A source of spray or dust is indicated at 88 along with nozzle 89, and a high voltage source 90 is connected with an ion dispensing unit 16b which may be similar to that described above at 16.

Claims

We claim:

1. In ion generation and dispensing apparatus for altering the static charge of work, the combination comprising:

a. elongated insulative support members each forming recesses opening sidewardly, the exposed exterior of each said member being electrically nonconductive,

b. an electrically conductive bus extending lengthwise in each said member and exposed at the end thereof,

c. multiple electrically conductive inserts carried in said recesses to have threaded connection to said bus, and multiple electrically conductive ion generators carried by said inserts in said recesses to project toward the recess mouths and terminating at tips proximate the recess mouths so that electrical charge flowing to said tips will leave said tips and generate ions flowing away from said member and

d. said members connected in end-to-end interfitting relation so that said buses therein have end-to-end mechanical and electrical connection with one end of the interfitting bus defining a tongue and the other end of the interfitting bus defining a groove, thereby to define an elongated system of generators and buses.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said recesses are separate and individual and said tips are located in enlarged portions of said recesses directly inwardly of the recess side openings.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein each said recess is circular and defines a central axis extending sidewardly and said tips are spaced about said axis.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein each said member contains an aperture to pass a stream of gas lengthwise within the member and toward said recesses to assist in carrying said ions away from said member, said aperture communicating with said recesses and apertures in successive members being in end-to-end communication.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said bus and insert are also apertured to pass said gas stream from the aperture within said member to said recess.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bus contains an aperture to pass a stream of gas lengthwise within the bus and toward said recess to assist in carrying said ions away from said member, said aperture communicating with said recesses.

7. The combination of claim 1 including air channels extending lengthwise in said members in intercommunication and having air stream supplying communication with said recesses.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said recesses are V-shaped in cross section, and said bus comprises a tube received in said recess.

9. The combination of claim 1 including a chamber having a carpet defining a walkway, said system of buses and generators being installed proximate said walkway to direct ions thereto.

10. The combination of claim 1 including means to supply high voltage of selected polarity to said bus, and operatively connected therewith, whereby said apparatus is kept self cleaning.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said last named means includes sources of plus and negative high DC voltage, and a switch connected to alternately connect the sources with said bus.

12. In a room having particles in the atmosphere,

a. ion generator means having multiple tips located to inject ions of selected polarity into the room to be attracted to the particles in the atmosphere, for changing the particle charge,

b. and a charged particle attractor exposed to the room interior at a remote location lower than the generator and

c. a source of positive and negative high voltage and a device to electrically connect the generator means to the source to selectively and alternately supply the same generator means with said positive and negative high voltage.

13. Vapor dispensing apparatus comprising

a. ion dispenser means having multiple tips oriented to dispense ions directionally into the atmosphere to create a directional flow of air, and

b. means to direct a side stream of dispersed chemical treating agent into the air flow path for flow of said dispersed agent with the ions in said direction.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said ion dispenser means includes a cluster of electrically energizable needles and said liquid supply means comprises a wick.

15. In ion generation and dispensing apparatus for altering the static charge of work, the combination comprising

a. an elongated electrically conductive bus,

b. multiple electrically conductive ion dispensers carried by said bus at spaced locations therealong, the dispensers having ends oriented in the atmosphere so that electrical charge flowing to such ends will leave the ends and generate ions in the atmosphere traveling away from said bus and creating flow of air in a predetermined direction.

c. and means to direct a side stream flow of a dispersed chemical treating agent to travel in the air with the ions away from said spaced locations along the bus.