Abstract: An ionizer that creates a corona current distribution having a balanced flow of positive and negative ions in a variable ion mobility gaseous environment, such as an environment of substantially nitrogen. The balanced flow of positive and negative ions is directed toward a workspace or target located in the gaseous environment downstream from the ionizer. The ionizer includes a counterelectrode, a positive ion emitter, a negative ion emitter, and a control circuit. The counterelectrode has at least two spatially isolated collecting surfaces. The positive and negative ion emitters are spatially isolated from each other so that the outputs of each of the emitters do not reach the other emitter.

Abstract: The processing apparatus prevents difficulty in separation of the substrate from the base because of charges on the substrate when the substrate is lifted from the base for substrate placing during processing. The processing apparatus comprises pins to lift up the substrate on the base and a neutralization apparatus to discharge ionized gas to the gap between the bottom of the substrate lifted from the base by the pins and the top of the base. When ionized gas is discharged to the substrate and the base, the charges are neutralized. In addition, the processing apparatus comprises three or more of proximity pins, which form gap between the bottom of the substrate on the base and the top of the base to prevent a frictional electricity being formed therein.

Abstract: A discharge electrode bar 100 includes a case 101. In the case 101, an air unit 102 and discharge electrode assemblies 103 are disposed in its lower region, and a high voltage unit 104 and a control unit 105 including a power supply circuit, a display circuit and a CPU, for example, are disposed in its upper region. The case 101 consists of left and right divisional case sections which can be detached from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller and an antistatic sheet. The cylindrical surface of the photosensitive drum can be supplied with a developer. The transfer roller transfers the developer on the drum surface onto one side of a sheet of paper. The antistatic sheet is provided downstream from the transfer roller in the feed path to eliminate electric charge accumulated on the sheet of paper. The antistatic sheet includes a fibrous electric conductor and a non-fibrous electric conductor, which is connected electrically with the conductor, and which is positioned between the conductor and the other side of the sheet of paper passing over the antistatic sheet. The antistatic sheet can prevent the non-fibrous electric conductor from fluffing which causes print failure.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide an ionizer that has been improved to allow reduction of ripples and of balance shift without degrading the capability of an ionizer. A grounded ground electrode that makes contact with the ions for capturing a portion of the ions is provided in the vicinity of a discharge electrode. Means for changing the area of contact between ground electrode and the ions is provided.

Abstract: A hand-held hair dryer which includes a negative ion generator and a corona discharge operating between a pin in the ion chamber and the grid at the outlet of the barrel for injecting a continuous supply of ions into the heated air stream. The hair dryer has an infrared on/off sensor switch which automatically activates the device when picked up by the user and a separate cooling switch to lower the heat level while maintaining the same air volume. The hair dryer includes a self-contained cord retractor which employs a fail-safe microswitch preventing operation unless electric cord is fully unreeled. Separate push button controls and readouts covered by a single membrane are attached on the body of the unit to control speed and ionizer function.

Abstract: Nanolaminates are formed by alternating deposition, e.g., by combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), layers of resistive material and layers of dielectric material. Outer resistive material layers are patterned to form discrete patches of resistive material. Electrical pathways between opposed patches of resistive material on opposite sides of the laminate act as capacitors. Electrical pathways horizontally through resistive material layers, which may be connected by via plated holes, act as resistors.

Abstract: A broom type particle collector has a particle pick-up assembly joined to an elongated handle. The pick-up assembly has a non-electrical conductive foam plastic member accommodating a cathode for imparting negative charges or particles and an anode for collecting the charged particles. An electrical power supply located within the handle provides electric power to the cathode and anode.

Abstract: The total of the ion current leaving electrodes of one polarity and the ion current flowing to those electrodes, is measured as the current in the ground return path of the corresponding generator. For a brand-new ionizer, the value of that total ion current for electrodes of each polarity under normal operating conditions will substantially be the maximum ion current the positive and negative electrodes are capable of generating. The changes in the current in the ground return path reflect changes in the ionizing efficiency of the electrodes caused among other factors, by contamination. The values of the currents may be scaled up or down to the arbitrary unit. Using this scaling allows to have a signal that is normalized regardless of the length of the ionizer and number of the ionizing electrodes.

Abstract: A room ionization system includes a plurality of emitter modules, each including an electrical ionizer. The emitter modules are spaced around the room and are connected in a daisy-chain manner to a system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address for allowing the system controller or a remote control transmitter to individually address and control each emitter module. Electrical lines containing both power and communication lines connect the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module stores a balance reference value and an ion output current reference value for use by automatic balance control and automatic ion output current control circuitry.

Abstract: Positive and negative ion output are balanced in an electrical ionizer having positive and negative ion emitters, and positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies switches between a high state and a low state. An ion balance sensor is located close to the ion emitters and outputs a voltage value. An ion balance sensor set point voltage value is stored. The voltage value is set to provide a balanced ion condition in the work space near the electrical ionizer. During operation of the electrical ionizer, the output voltage value of the ion balance sensor is compared with the set point voltage value.

Abstract: A surge protector for an electrical line is disclosed. The surge protector includes a pair of conductive pins respectively connectable to electrical lines. A first pin is soldered to a lead from a gas tube surge arrester. The lead is further fixed adjacent to the first pin and then attached to the second pin. A ground bracket having an opening is positioned between and connected with the other side of the surge arrester. As an electrical surge travels through the lines, the gas tube surge arrester begins to spark over, shunting overload conditions to the ground bracket. As the temperature begins to build, the solder flows, causing an open condition in which the surge arrester disconnects from the first pin, thereby eliminating the destructive effects of a prolonged electrical surge on the lines.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flux suppression includes a three stage filtering system to protect against electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge and has a first stage high voltage section that filters a high voltage pulse by providing a spark gap to ionize the ambient air and thus effectively form a shunt. A second stage filter has a front end capacitive interface followed by an inductive line to filter out radio frequency arcing that occurs between two bodies thus exposing them to radio frequency radiation. A third stage filter includes a radio frequency low pass filter to reinforce the capacitive inductance filter.

Abstract: A corona discharge device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a discharge member such as a saw-toothed discharge member having sharp discharge ends, and a power supply which applies to the discharge member a discharge voltage containing at least an AC voltage component, wherein at least each discharge end portion of the discharge member is made of an electrically conductive material, which contains nickel and chromium, and/or is coated with a material having a high electric resistance. In the case where the saw-toothed discharge member is employed, a distance D between the discharge end and a member to be charged, and a discharge end pitch P are determined to satisfy a relationship of 2≦D/P≦8.

Abstract: A hair dryer is provided with a high voltage generator which produces a negative DC voltage output of at least about 6 kilovolts for reducing static charges on a person's hair during hair drying. The generator can be mounted adjacent the dryer air inlet of the hair dryer housing to cool the generator with cooling air, or the generator can be mounted externally of the dryer to reduce dryer weight.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a guide for the recording sheet formed by a discharging layer. The layer includes an electrically grounded conductive substrate and an organic conductive fiber thereon. The surface of the guide is in close proximity to the surface of the recording sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified methods and apparatus for the preparation of arrays of material wherein each array includes a preselected collection of polymers, small molecules or inorganic materials associated with a surface of a substrate. The methods of the invention provide for modifications to general apparatus, flow cell geometries and solutions used in array fabrication.

Abstract: A replaceable electrical ionizer cartridge or module including a support platter having a central air passage opening therethrough and at least two emitter points supported by the support platter so as to extend into the opening. At least one electrical connector is supported by the support platter and is electrically connected to at least one of the emitter points. Two levers are pivotally attached to the platter at an end thereof. To install the module in the ionizer housing the platter is inserted in through a slot in the housing so that side edges of the platter engage in guide structure in the housing. The platter is then slid along the guide structure and when the platter is nearly fully inserted in the housing, the guide levers are pushed towards the housing. This causes the levers to bias against the housing, pushing the platter into the housing such that the connector(s) engages with one or more corresponding electrical connectors in the housing.

Abstract: The total of the ion current leaving electrodes of one polarity and the ion current flowing to those electrodes, is measured as the current in the ground return path of the corresponding generator. For a brand-new ionizer, the value of that total ion current for electrodes of each polarity under normal operating conditions will substantially be the maximum ion current the positive and negative electrodes are capable of generating. The changes in the current in the ground return path reflect changes in the ionizing efficiency of the electrodes caused among other factors, by contamination. The values of the currents may be scaled up or down to the arbitrary unit. Using this scaling allows to have a signal that is normalized regardless of the length of the ionizer and number of the ionizing electrodes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for restoring a support surface of a substrate support to a pre-process condition. The method comprises the steps of providing a surrogate substrate on the degraded support surface, providing the surrogate substrate with a ground connection and establishing an electric field between the support surface and the surrogate substrate to remove accumulated charges in the support surface. The apparatus comprises a process chamber having a surrogate substrate on a the support surface and connected to ground. The surrogate substrate is a semiconductor wafer or a plate or sheet of metallic material. The ground connection is established by striking a plasma that contacts the surrogate substrate and an electrical ground reference. The electric field established between the support surface and the surrogate substrate "pushes" any accumulated charges out of the support surface. Removal of the accumulated charges improves and extends the chucking ability of the support surface.

Abstract: A capacitor is serially-connected to apply alternating line signal to ion generators that are normally operable on alternate half cycles of line signal for safely inhibiting further operation of a generator of air ions of one polarity in the event a generator of air ions of opposite polarity incurs circuit malfunction. In an alternative embodiment, serially-connected capacitor are shunted by serially-connected diodes poled for unidirectional conduction in opposite directions, with junctions of capacitors and diodes connected together.

Abstract: A device and method for protecting a site against lightning strikes. The device detects the approach of a lightning discharge towards the site. In response, the device forms an ionized channel in the vicinity of the site to direct the electrical lightning discharge towards a lightning conductor.

Abstract: An air ionizer comprises at least two electrodes contained within a recessed region of an insulating housing. When high voltages are applied to the electrodes, nearby air molecules are ionized and generally move towards a target region outside the housing. Because the insulating housing shields the electrodes, the production of ions is not significantly disturbed by charged or grounded objects other than those in the general direction of the target region. In one embodiment, the electrodes are placed close enough to the inner walls of the recessed region that the portions of the surfaces of the walls near the electrodes are electrostatically charged. This charge tends to repel the nearby ions, expelling many from the recessed region towards the target region.

Abstract: The processing apparatus prevents difficulty in separation of the substrate from the base because of charges on the substrate when the substrate is lifted from the base for substrate placing during processing. The processing apparatus comprises pins to lift up the substrate on the base and a neutralization apparatus to discharge ionized gas to the gap between the bottom of the substrate lifted from the base by the pins and the top of the base. When ionized gas is discharged to the substrate and the base, the charges are neutralized.

Abstract: A device that reduces power transmission insulator flashover by preventing the buildup of contaminants and dust on the surface of electrical insulators. The device is primarily designed for use on high tension wire insulators and creates an envelope of positive and negative ions that cover the insulators' skirts and consequently repels dust and other particles. The device is embedded in at least one insulator skirt and includes a small induction coil, a diode, a series of capacitors, and a fine needle that are employed as an ion generator which produces a negative or positive polarity ion corona region. The induction coil produces an AC voltage that is induced by the power line current. This AC voltage is rectified by the diode. As contaminants and dust particles approach the surface of the skirt, they become charged with the same polarity as the ions leaving the needle, and are consequently repelled from the corona region.

Abstract: A non-lethal weapon for disabling an engine such as that of a fleeing car by means of a high voltage discharge that perturbs or destroys the electrical circuits. The transmission of the disabling voltage to the distant target is via two channels of electrically conductive air. The conductive channels are created by multi-photon and collisional ionization within the paths of two beams of coherent (laser) or collimated incoherent ultraviolet radiation directed to the target. A single beam may be used when the high voltage source and the target are grounded. The high-voltage current flows from electrodes at the origin of the beams along the channels of free electrons within them.

Abstract: A ionizer for neutralizing static electricity generally occurring on synthetic materials during their processing, consists of a row of insulating modules arranged on a metallic shape, connected to the ground. Between the modules, in special slits, on the side faced to the coming charged material, are introduced grounded wires, which make contact to the metallic shape. A high voltage needle is introduced through each insulating module, until makes contact to the conductor of a high voltage cable inserted through the inner part of each module (hot ionizer). The high voltage cable is connected to a high voltage power supply. The high voltage needles can be also capacitively coupled to the high voltage cable (shockless ionizer), connected to a high voltage AC power supply. Between the high voltage needles and the grounded wires occurs a corona discharge which generates ions. A material with a high static charge get neutralized mainly by small electrical discharges to the peaks of the grounded wires.

Abstract: Ionizing method and apparatus includes a pair of inverters to supply ionizing voltages to ionizing electrodes only during alternate halves of a duty cycle in which one inverter is actuated to operate at high oscillating frequency while the other inverter is inactive, and thereafter in an alternate half of the duty cycle in which the one inverter is inactive and the other inverter is actuated to operate at high oscillating frequency. Each inverter includes a return current path that combines in a common return path in which return currents may be monitored for selective control of one or both of the inverters. Small step-up transformers and other components operating at high oscillation frequency promote confined packaging of high voltage generators for convenient mounting adjacent a pair of ionizing electrodes to reduce lengths of heavily-insulated high-voltage cables between generators and electrodes.

Abstract: A device for applying unipolar electrical charges to a moving, essentially electrically conductive insulating surface. An elongated corona electrode, e.g., including a number of tip electrodes, along with one or more auxiliary electrodes, and an electrically conductive counter electrode, are provided. The counter electrode supports the insulating surface, and a high-voltage d.c. source is connected to the electrodes. A carrier made of electrically insulating material is provided in the form of a channel, including a bottom wall and two side walls. The free edges of the side walls face the counter electrode. The corona electrode is arranged in the channel and at the bottom wall, and does not project over the free edges of the side walls. The auxiliary electrode(s) is arranged at, or in the vicinity of, each edge of the side walls, between the corona electrode and the counter electrode. One pole of the high-voltage d.c.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 30, 60) and a method for generating low energy electrons (26, 46) for neutralizing charges (16, 36, 66) accumulated on a wafer (14, 34, 64) is provided. The apparatus includes a photocathode (24, 44, 67) located within a predetermined distance from the wafer (14, 34, 64), and a light source (20, 40, 70, 76, 86) operable to emit a light (22, 42, 72, 78, 88) striking the photocathode (24, 44, 67), the photocathode (24, 44, 67) generating a cloud of low energy electrons (26, 46) with a narrow energy distribution near the wafer (14, 34, 64).

Abstract: The invention provides a discharging method by which charge can be removed readily, uniformly and efficiently from a surface of a working object even where the surface has a complicated charge pattern of a large number of small positive and negative charged portions present closely to each other at random in a mixed condition. A working object is passed between a positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode and an ion attracting electrode opposed to the positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode and having a face extending in a travelling direction of the working object and a perpendicular direction. During such passage, high positive and negative voltages are applied alternately to the positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode to alternately produce positive and negative ions.

Abstract: An ion control method and apparatus in which positive ions and negative ions are generated by irradiating an X-ray in a particular space, and the ratio of positive and negative ions generated is controlled by changing the polarity and magnitude of the voltage applied to an electrode which is installed in the atmosphere of the positive and negative ions. Positive ions are adhered on the electrode by applying a negative voltage to the electrode, thus forming an environment with an excess of negative ions in the vicinity of the electrode; and the collecting of dust or removal of static electricity is performed by feeding the negative ions into the air or onto a static electricity charged object by a blower.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating negative ions includes two casings which are coupled each other and respectively have an outer thread on one end thereof, a lid which is fastened to the coupled casings, an electrode rod disposed within the coupled casings, an electrode plate disposed within the coupled casings, a circuit board which is disposed within the combined casings and connected to the electrode rod and the electrode plate and having at least one high voltage discharging plate, a high voltage generator which is connected to the circuit board and the high voltage discharging plate, and a plurality of ventilation slots which are respectively defined in the casings and the lid, such that the apparatus can be easily assembled, installed and utilized as an independent unit.

Abstract: In an air ionizing apparatus of a type utilizing a sheath gas not containing water (hydrogen) or impurities to sheathe corona electrodes, sufficient amount of ions are generated to fully eliminate static electricity from the interior of a production environment such as a clean room and to prevent the impurities from depositing on the corona electrodes. The tips of corona electrodes 21a and 21b are positioned inwardly of the tips of sheath gas nozzles 4a and 4b, respectively, by a certain distance. The distance is so determined that for a sheath gas containing no negative gaseous molecules, electrons emitted by corona discharge can reach air existing outside the sheath gas nozzle 4b and that for a sheath gas containing the negative gaseous molecules, negative ions emitted by corona discharge can rapidly disperse into the air outside the sheath gas nozzle 4b without remaining in the interior of the nozzle 4b.

Abstract: A device for treating hair comprises an electrically driven blower for generating an air flow at at least one opening on the device with view to drying the hair, as well as a unit for emitting ions from one or more emitters positioned in or close to the opening of the device. The unit for emitting ions has at least two emitters which are adapted to emit ions of positive charge and of negative charge, respectively, at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing positive and negative ions and/or electrons in a gas of any atmosphere without producing dust, a method and structure for neutralizing a charged body in a short period of time and for completely preventing static electricity from being generated, and various apparatuses and structures, such as a conveyor, wet bench, and clean room, which use the neutralizing method and structure. The gaseous ion producing apparatus produces positive and negative ions and/or electrons in a gas by irradiating, with electromagnetic waves in a soft X-ray region, the gas under a high pressure, atmospheric pressure, or reduced pressure. In the neutralizing structure an X-ray unit is arranged at an appropriate place to apply the electromagnetic waves in a soft X-ray region to the atmospheric gas surrounding a charged body.

Abstract: A copier/printer includes a micro sized ion generating device that includes an insulated support substrate having an edge portion. An AC coronode covered by an insulated member is mounted on the edge portion of the support substrate, and a DC biased screen is on top of the insulated member, completes the device.

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 device for neutralizing electrostatic charges by way of corona discharge comprises discharge electrodes and earthed counterelectrodes, the discharge electrodes being capacitively connected to an alternating high-voltage source. A row of individual discharge electrodes is applied to one side of a carrier consisting of dielectric material galvanically separated from one another in the form of thin, electrically conductive layers. A continuous, electrically conductive coating is arranged on the other side of the carrier and opposite to the discharge electrodes, this coating being connected to the high-voltage source and providing a capacitive coupling of the discharge electrodes to the high voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling the creation of multiple extended conduction paths in the atmosphere including a chirped-pulse amplification laser system having a high peak-power laser capable of transmitting through the atmosphere a high-peak power ultrashort laser pulse. The laser pulse is configured to have a rough spacial profile and is of sufficient energy to create multiple electrically conductive ionized channels in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A static eliminator for eliminating static electricity between the human body and a charged object or from the charged object itself. Static electricity is introduced from a charged object into a discharger for discharging the static electricity by an electrical discharge and an exothermic device for eliminating the static electricity as heat. Thus, static electricity is consumed by electrical discharge and generation of heat.

Abstract: A lightning protection apparatus having a tower which is grounded to the earth, an electronic device mounted onto an area adjacent a top of the tower, and a negative ion production device electrically connected to the area of the top of the tower. The negative ion production device serves to produce solely negative ions around and over the electronic device. An auger rod engages the earth so as to be conductively connected to the earth, and an electrical line serves to connect the auger rod to the tower. A shield member is connected to the tower and extends over the electronic device. The negative ion production device is connected to the shield member so as to pass negative ions through the shield member. The negative ion production device can be one or more batteries that are connected together and having a negative terminal connected to the tower and a positive terminal connected to the electronic device.

Abstract: The invention provides a discharging method by which charges can be removed readily, uniformly and efficiently from a surface of a working object even where the surface has a complicated charge pattern of a large number of small positive and negative charged portions present closely to each other at random in a mixed condition. A working object is passed between a positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode and an ion attracting electrode opposed to the positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode and having a face extending in a travelling direction of the working object and a perpendicular direction. During such passage, high positive and negative voltages are applied alternately to the positive and negative ion producing discharging electrode to alternately produce positive and negative ions.

Abstract: A non-lethal weapon for temporarily immobilizing a target subject by means of muscular tetanization in which the tetanization is produced by conducting a precisely-modulated electrical current through the target. Because the electrical current is a close replication of the physiological neuroelectric impulses which control striated muscle tissue, it tetanizes the subject's skeletal muscles without causing any perceptible sensation. The transmission of this current to the distant target is via two channels of electrically conductive air. The conductive channels are created by multi-photon and collisional ionization within the paths of two beams of coherent (laser) or columnated incoherent ultraviolet radiation directed to the target. A single beam may be used to tetanize a grounded target. The high-voltage tetanizing current flows from electrodes at the origin of the beams along the channels of free electrons within them.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus which does not adversely affect its surrounding environment when in use, which has excellent durability, and which is safe to use is provided. A photosensitive layer is disposed on the outer surface of a rotatable closed-loop substrate drum. A charger, an exposure portion, a developing portion, a transfer portion, a fixing portion, and a cleaner are provided around the substrate drum. The charger includes an X-ray generator, which electrolytically dissociates the air on the surface of the photosensitive layer upon X-ray irradiation, and electric-field generator which guides a gaseous ion formed by electrolytic dissociation to the surface of the photosensitive layer. The cleaner is constituted by erasure X-ray generation means which ionizes the air on the photosensitive layer, in which a coloring fine particle remains, upon irradiation with an X-ray irradiation, while generating a carrier within the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A neutralizing apparatus is provided to facilitate and efficiently implement electric charge removal from a charged body such as a wafer which is easily charged. When the easily charged body such as a wafer is transported in a housing, a neutralizing charge generator, typically light sources for projecting exciting ultraviolet rays into the housing, are operated. Accordingly, the housing is filled with ions and a gas such as non-reactive gas. The neutralizing charge generator can generate positive or negative ions and electrons. When the charged body is positively charged, the electrons or negative ions move toward the charged body to neutralize the charged body with positive charge. When the charged body is negatively charged, positive ions move toward the charged body to neutralize the negative charge.

Abstract: A hair dryer is provided which reduces static electricity in hair being dried. A point source for electron release, such as a needle, is positioned in a reflector in the air stream of the dryer. The point source is electrically connected to an electron source, such as a piezoelectric crystal, located in the handle of the hair dryer. The piezoelectric crystal is wired to produce an electric charge, the charge being initially a negative electric charge. The crystal is connected to the point source and thus provides electrons to the point source. These enter the air, ionizing air molecules, and the resulting ions are carried to the hair, neutralizing the static charge in the hair. The piezoelectric crystal, a supporting frame, a lever arm, and an arm lever cover are mounted in the dryer handle. The lever arm cover can be pivoted, resulting in the lever arm being moved when the handle is squeezed or released. Release of the lever arm results in it returning to its original position.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus which does not unfavorably influence its surrounding environment when in use and is excellent in durability of use and safety is provided. In the image-forming apparatus, a photosensitive layer is disposed on the outer surface of a closed-loop substrate drum, while a charge device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a cleaning device are provided around the substrate drum. The substrate drum is made of a light element. The charge device is constituted by a charging X-ray generation member, which is disposed within the substrate drum and emits an X-ray through the substrate drum and photosensitive layer so as to electrolytically dissociate the air on the surface of the photosensitive layer, and an electric-field application member which guides, by means of an electric field, a gaseous ion formed by this electrolytic dissociation to the surface of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for accelerating and pressurizing a fluidized stream of particulate material, e.g. for blast cleaning by ice particles, the stream flows through a constriction in a flow passage. A flow of blast medium is discharged from a blast nozzle at supersonic speed into the fluidized stream so as to form within the fluidized stream a flow front which is impenetrable by the fluidized stream and which co-operates with the constriction to form an effective nozzle for accelerating the fluidized stream. Grounding is provided controlling electrostatic charges for either better work effect or neutralization in unwanted or hazardous conditions, and safety pressure relief, blast intensity control, articulation and changement of final nozzles for effective operation are also provided.

Abstract: A sheet and web cleaner comprises a pair of substantially identical units in facing relation, providing a path for transporting a sheet or web between them. Each unit includes a suction hood with a rectangular inlet slot, and a pair of channels adjacent and parallel to the slot, each containing a pressurized air ionizing bar which discharges ionized air at high velocity onto the moving sheet or web. A plate of hard smooth plastic is over the channels and the inlet slot and has in one side a central elongate inlet opening of tapering width which extends partly through the thickness of the plate and overlies the rectangular inlet slot. Elongate air discharge openings extending partly through the thickness of the plate and overlying each of the channels are adjacent the inlet opening.