Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective ionizing laminate (PIL) static eliminating device that uses a wide variety of laminate materials to protect ionizing points that eliminate static. In an embodiment, the protective encasement is made from laminate and in others it is made from a substrate onto which of electrically conductive or static dissipative material is printed or placed. The present invention includes a plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers forms a pattern and a ground in communication with the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material. The laminate materials form an encasement or enclosure of the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material and at least a portion of the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective ionizing laminate (PIL) static eliminating device that uses a wide variety of laminate materials to protect ionizing points that eliminate static. In an embodiment, the protective encasement is made from laminate and in others it is made from a substrate onto which of electrically conductive or static dissipative material is printed or placed. The present invention includes a plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers forms a pattern and a ground in communication with the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material. The laminate materials form an encasement or enclosure of the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material and at least a portion of the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective ionizing laminate (PIL) static eliminating device that uses a wide variety of laminate materials to protect ionizing points that eliminate static. In an embodiment, the protective encasement is made from laminate and in others it is made from a substrate onto which of electrically conductive or static dissipative material is printed or placed. The present invention includes a plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers forms a pattern and a ground in communication with the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material. The laminate materials form an encasement or enclosure of the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material and at least a portion of the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective ionizing laminate (PIL) static eliminating device that uses a wide variety of laminate materials to protect ionizing points that eliminate static. In an embodiment, the protective encasement is made from laminate and in others it is made from a substrate onto which of electrically conductive or static dissipative material is printed or placed. The present invention includes a plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive or static dissipative material or microfibers forms a pattern and a ground in communication with the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material. The laminate materials form an encasement or enclosure of the electrically conductive or static dissipative microfibers or material and at least a portion of the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective ionizing device, or protective static eliminator, and methods, systems, apparatus and kits using the device. The device has a surface having a series of (e.g., one or more) grooves or gaps, each groove defines a space; and a multiplicity of ionizing points suspended in the space, just below the upper surface of the device. The ionizing points can be suspended on braided microfibers, on an extruded surface in the groove, on an elastic cord, or on a wire core. The device is useful for the efficient elimination of static charge build-up on a surface of insulative material while maintaining and protecting the ionizing points.

Abstract: An ionizing wiper for removing static charge from an insulative surface. The wiper is made of wiping material with a high density of ionizing points being disposed along the surface of the wiper such that the air between the ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object.

Abstract: An ionizing rod comprising a core having an outer surface with a plurality of ionizing points disposed along the outer surface of the core. The plurality of ionizing points are sufficiently dense upon the core surface such that air between the plurality of ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object. The core material can be electrically conductive, insulative, or static dissipative. The methods to attach the ionizing points to the core include a pullover sleeve, made of fibers including ionizing points, and glue to adhere either fibers in electrical communication or not in electrical communication depending on whether conductive or non-conductive adhesive are employed. Alternative embodiments include a device for the ionizing charged particles to travel to ground or electrically charged and a grip.

Abstract: An ionizing rod comprising a core having an outer surface with a plurality of ionizing points disposed along the outer surface of the core. The plurality of ionizing points are sufficiently dense upon the core surface such that air between the plurality of ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object. The core material can be electrically conductive, insulative, or static dissipative. The methods to attach the ionizing points to the core include a pullover sleeve, made of fibers including ionizing points, and glue to adhere either fibers in electrical communication or not in electrical communication depending on whether conductive or non-conductive adhesive are employed. Alternative embodiments include a means for the ionizing charged particles to travel to ground or electrically charged and a grip.

Abstract: An ionizing wiper for removing static charge from an insulative surface. The wiper is made of wiping material with a high density of ionizing points being disposed along the surface of the wiper such that the air between the ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object.

Abstract: A low profile ionizing surface (LPIS) for use as a static eliminator or charging means in an apparatus within which insulative material is contacted by apparatus surfaces. The LPIS includes a low profile fibrous network of randomly disposed, electrically conductive, 0.5-50 .mu.m by 1/8"-3" microfibers in electrically conductive contact with one another across the network, providing microfiber ionizing points across the network surface. The thickness of the network is significantly less than the average length of the microfibers. An adhesive layer fixes the network to a surface of the machine. Thus, when the network is grounded or electrically charged, static charge is removed from the material as it passes across or near the exposed surface of the network. The LPIS may be in the form of a peel-and-stick sheet or tape, or a kit may be provided to install the LPIS in an apparatus.

Abstract: A small diameter ionizing cord for use in an apparatus through which insulative material flows or is propelled. The ionizing cord has an outer surface and includes three or more strands of electrically non-conductive fibers braided to form a smooth cord having an effective diameter of about 0.5-6 mm. At least one of the strands is a static control strand including a multiplicity of electrically conductive microfibers being in electrically conductive communication with one another along the length of the strand. The microfibers are selected to provide a multiplicity of ionizing points disposed along the length of the cord and exposed at or extending minimally above the outer surface such that, when the strand is electrically grounded or electrically charged, air between the ionizing points and the material passing the outer surface is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the material or to attract or repel the material to or from the apparatus surface.

Abstract: A low profile ionizing surface (LPIS) for use as a static eliminator or charging means in an apparatus within which insulative material is contacted by apparatus surfaces. The LPIS includes a low profile fibrous network of randomly disposed, electrically conductive, 0.5-50 .mu.m by 1/8"-3" microfibers in electrically conductive contact with one another across the network, providing microfiber ionizing points across the network surface. The thickness of the network is significantly less than the average length of the microfibers. An adhesive layer fixes the network to a surface of the machine. Thus, when the network is grounded or electrically charged, static charge is removed from the material as it passes across or near the exposed surface of the network. The LPIS may be in the form of a peel-and-stick sheet or tape, or a kit may be provided to install the LPIS in an apparatus.

Abstract: The instant solar heating unit takes advantage of anti-reverse-siphon techniques developed by the inventor and combines anti-freeze features, and houses the entire unit in a wedge-shaped, integral cocoon to retain heat and enclose the piping and fixtures. In the preferred embodiment, the collector panel has tube manifolds which are adjacent the hot water tank to keep them from freezing, and the tubes of the collector, which are exposed through the panel glazing to radiate their heat at night, are expansible to prevent their rupture in the event of a freeze.

Abstract: A solar heater system utilizes a passive anti-reverse siphon system to prevent the reversal of the fluid flow during evenings and other times when the ambient temperature is below the temperature within the system. The anti-reverse siphon system used functions strictly as a result of the geometry of the system and does not utilize either physical check valves or the immiscible fluid meniscus check valve system.

Abstract: A solar heater which is adapted for liquid heating and space heating, or both, utilizes a passive anti-reverse siphon concept in which fresh air or water is required to traverse upwardly along a passageway and then descend along a descending passageway insulated from the ascending passageway before it enters the solar heating chamber, with the result that the pressure heads generated in the ascending and descending passageways and the heating chamber offset one another such that forward, passive solar heating convection occurs, but in the evening when the heating chamber becomes cool, the normal reverse convection that occurs in passive units is stopped.

Abstract: A solar heating system is provided incorporating the flat plate collector and storage tanks substantially in the same unit and avoiding the usual reverse-siphon problems that are inherent in the nature of a passive integral system of this type by a piping system wherein heating and elevation of certain vertical components of connecting piping reverses, or almost reverses, the usual net pressure head which is responsible for creating the reverse siphon.