Abstract: An electrostatic air conditioner having at least one ion emitting member (i.e., corona frame) and at least one ion collecting member (i.e., collecting cartridge) is provided. The corona frame and collecting cartridge are configured to have active and passive areas and be removable from the housing within which they are positioned. The passive areas provide additional spacing between the active area and the side walls of the housing, and provide several advantages over existing electrostatic air conditioners, e.g., eliminates barriers between active corona wires and the housing walls, which prevents any settling of chemically active or electrically active matter (vapor or particles) on such barriers and/or housing walls (due to air flow).

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the rapping of at least one collecting electrode plate (30) of an electrostatic precipitator (1) is provided. The device controls such rapping by applying, by means of a power source (32), a voltage between at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28). The sparking rate between the at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28) is then measured, with the rapping of the at least one collecting electrode plate (30) controlled using the measured present sparking rate.

Abstract: Liquid and/or particle-shaped impurities are precipitated from a stream of gas, for example, from a stream of gas that originates from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and is directed to the engine's intake side. The stream of gas is passed through a gas discharge section between two electrodes. The stream of gas is passed between an emission electrode which is formed by electrode tips and an opposing electrode at a distance therefrom. A direct voltage which exceeds the breakdown voltage is applied to the electrodes using a direct current high voltage source, and the current which occurs over the gas discharge section between the electrodes is limited. A stable low energy direct current plasma is formed in the space between the two electrodes. The impurities are electrically charged and attracted to the opposing electrode by means of electrical field forces.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling dust particle emissions from an electrostatic precipitator (1), which has a first and a second bus-section (16, 20), are provided. Dust particle emissions are controlled by observing that a rapping event of the first bus-section (16) is about to be initiated, verifying, before allowing the rapping event of the first bus-section (16) to be initiated, that the second bus-section (20) is ready to receive the dust particles to be released during the rapping event of the first bus-section (16), and then initiating, after verification, the rapping event of the first bus-section (16).

Abstract: A system includes an electrostatic precipitator, an electromagnetic sensor and a processor to locate spark locations. The electromagnetic sensor is used at various locations of the electrostatic precipitator to obtain data and process the same for locating sparks in electrostatic precipitators.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to non-thermal plasma-based systems for reducing the amount of particulate matter in a gas stream, as well as to methods for using such systems. The present invention is particularly directed to such non-thermal plasma-based particulate matter reduction systems with self-cleaning surfaces. Particularly contemplated are self-cleaning surfaces that reduce particulate matter buildup such as is likely to cause the reduction of non-thermal plasma production in the system, and therefore the ability of such systems to reduce the amount of particulate matter in the gas stream.

Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning emitter electrodes of air conditioner systems are provided. The air conditioning system includes an emitter electrode, a collector electrode and a high voltage generator to provide a high voltage potential difference between the emitter and collector electrodes. The system also includes a cleaning member having a channel through which the emitter electrode passes. A plunger mechanism and a spring, or a lever and a fulcrum, are used to force the cleaning member to travel upward along the emitter electrode to thereby frictionally removing debris from the emitter electrode. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.

Abstract: A system includes an electrostatic precipitator, an electromagnetic sensor and a processor to locate spark locations. The electromagnetic sensor is used at various locations of the electrostatic precipitator to obtain data and process the same for locating sparks in electrostatic precipitators.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator including: a collecting electrode in a gas passage; a discharge electrode in the gas passage and separated by a gap from the collecting electrode; a power supply applying a voltage to the discharge electrode, wherein the voltage establishes an electric field between the discharge electrode and the collecting electrode to ionize gas flow in the gap, and a resistor in series with the discharge electrode and having an effective resistance in series with the discharge electrode of at least 50 Ohms.

Abstract: A method of controlling the rapping of at least one collecting electrode plate (30) of an electrostatic precipitator (1) comprises applying, by means of a power source (32), a voltage between said at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and at least one discharge electrode (28), measuring the sparking rate between said at least one collecting electrode plate (30) and said at least one discharge electrode (28), and controlling, using the measured present sparking rate, the rapping of said at least one collecting electrode plate (30).

Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.

Abstract: A spark management device includes a high voltage power source and a detector configured to monitor a parameter of an electric current provided to a load device. In response to the parameter, a pre-spark condition is identified. A switching circuit is responsive to identification of the pre-spark condition for controlling the electric current provided to the load device so as to manage sparking including, but not limited to, reducing, eliminating, regulating, timing, and/or controlling any intensity of arcs generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse generating system for generating high voltage pulses to energize an electrostatic precipitator (10), the system including: a first power supply (1) and a second power supply (2), where said second power supply (2) is arranged to pre-charge said electrostatic precipitator (10) to a DC voltage; a storage capacitor (7) and a series inductance; a switching device (5) coupled in parallel with an anti-parallel rectifier device (6); and wherein the system is arranged to be coupled to the electrostatic precipitator. The invention relates to provide such a pulse generating system with enhanced efficiency compared to present pulse generating systems and with enhanced protection of the components of the system in case of sparks in the electrostatic precipitator (10). This is achieved, when the switching device (5) of the system has turn-off capability and when the system includes a clamping circuit (11-13; 60-67).

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator including: a collecting electrode in a gas passage; a discharge electrode in the gas passage and separated by a gap from the collecting electrode; a power supply applying a voltage to the discharge electrode, wherein the voltage establishes an electric field between the discharge electrode and the collecting electrode to ionize gas flow in the gap, and a resistor in series with the discharge electrode and having an effective resistance in series with the discharge electrode of at least 50 Ohms.

Abstract: An air cleaner including a constant current power supply is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a collector cell and a constant current power supply coupled to the collector cell. The constant current power supply is configured to maintain a substantially constant electrical current output to the collector cell, compare an output voltage of the constant current power supply to an upper voltage threshold VU and to a lower voltage threshold VL, and shut down the constant current power supply if the output voltage is not between the upper voltage threshold VU and the lower voltage threshold VL.

Abstract: A particulate filter assembly includes an electrode assembly, a particulate filter positioned in an electrode gap defined between two electrodes of the electrode assembly, a power supply electrically coupled to the electrode assembly, and a controller for controlling operation of the power supply to apply a regenerate-filter signal to the electrode assembly to oxidize particulates collected by the particulate filter. An associated method of regenerating the particulate filter is disclosed.

Abstract: A gas separation apparatus which uses electrostatic precipitators and a DC power supply is controlled to optimally remove moderate to high resistivity ash. The DC power supply is pulse width modulated to maximize the product of the peak electric field and the average electric field. The method used to optimize operation includes selecting initial on and off times for the power supply, operating the power supply using the initial off and on times, and progressively decreasing the off time. A determination is made whether the off time may be further decreased. Ultimately, the on and off time intervals that produce the highest peak and average voltage are determined, and the system is operated using these parameters. A procedure may be periodically repeated to monitor the process and detect if there has been a change in the system that would require new time intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and converting exhaust particulates from a stream of exhaust gas, especially a diesel engine, into gaseous substances, in which the exhaust gas is guided through a honeycomb filter (6) made from a porous ceramic material whose axially extending channels (1, 2) are open merely at one face side of the filter and are closed off at the respective other face side, and a voltage is applied to electrodes (3, 4) extending parallel to the channels (1, 2) of the honeycomb filter (6). The closure of the channels (1, 2) at the face side is made in such a way that the channels (1, 2) each extending at the same normal distance from one of the electrodes (3, 4) are either all open or all closed off at their face side (9). The channels (1, 2) are mutually offset in a brickwork-like way.

Abstract: An ionizing structure for ambient air treatment wherein the structure, optionally having ceiling-mounting provisions, incorporates an ionizing element forwardly directed in the direction of airflow through the structure, an electrical power supply coupled to the ionizing element for applying thereto a stepped-up, negative, direct-current voltage of the order of several thousand volts, and a buffer, in effect, in the form of electrical circuit means, e. g. a filter, operatively interposed between the power supply and the blower for preventing feedback of eddy-voltage spikes, transients and the like as may be generated in the power supply to the operative parts of the blower, thus preventing damage to the blower.

Abstract: A plurality of discharge electrodes are grouped for respective gas passages that are defined by collecting electrodes (11-15). The discharge electrodes in each group are connected to a common power supply unit for receiving output voltage through a diode provided for each group and are connected to a spark electrode (21). The spark electrode is positioned such that it sparks between a hammer (20) in a passageway of the hammer upon striking. Each group of the discharge electrodes has a ground unit to be grounded just before the collecting electrodes on both sides thereof are struck.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting electromagnetic noise generated by an arc and controlling a power supply that powers the arcs. In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an arc detection circuit and a power supply control circuit. The arc detection circuit includes an antenna and a single shot timer. Electromagnetic noise generated by an arc is received by the antenna and activates the single shot timer, which causes the power supply control circuit to interrupt the power supply powering the arc for a predetermined length of time. A microprocessor can be used together with, or instead of, the single shot timer.

Abstract: A color image forming process which comprises processing a photographic light-sensitive element comprising a support having thereon a layer containing silver imagewise distributed therein with an aqueous alkaline solution containing a boron hydride compound in the presence of a dye to bleach the dye in an imagewise manner. By the process of this invention, color images which are stable to light, heat and moisture are formed using light-sensitive elements containing a reduced amount of silver salt and without using chemicals causing environmental pollution problems for the processing.

Abstract: The invention is directed essentially to photographic material containing, on a carrier, a layer with azo dyestuffs of the formula ##STR1## wherein A, B, X and Y are certain substituents, in a second main aspect azo dyestuffs of the formula ##STR2## wherein B' represents certain substituents and in a third main aspect azo deystuffs of the formulaA.sub.1 --N.dbd.N--B.sub.1 --NH--CO--X.sub.1 --Y--Z.sub.1 --OC--HN--B.sub.1 --N.dbd.N--A.sub.1wherein A.sub.1, B.sub.1, X.sub.1, Z.sub.1 and Y are certain substituents.The photographic materials provide advantages stemming from the use of the dyestuffs of the invention which are distinguished by particularly high fastness to light coupled with excellent bleachability, good resistance to diffusion and advantageous color strength.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a positive colored image in an imagewise exposed photographic element. The element is comprised of a support having coated thereon at least one layer of a hydrophilic colloid coating containing at least one light-sensitive silver halide and, in association with said silver halide, a substantially colorless, image dye-providing compound. The image dye-providing compound is reactive with oxidized color-forming reducing agent to yield a bleachable image dye. The process is comprised of the following steps: A silver image is developed in the imagewise exposed areas of the photographic element and a low level silver fog is formed in the remaining areas of the element. Image dye-providing compound is then converted to a bleachable image dye uniformly throughout the photographic element using the silver as a catalyst for a redox reaction of a color-forming reducing agent and a cobalt(III) complex amplifier oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for processing silver dye bleach material. The process measures of this method, consisting of (1) silver developing, (2) dye bleaching, (3) silver bleaching, (4) silver fixing are carried out in the sequence (1) to (4) with appropriate preparations. The silver bleaching (3) preparation contains (a) a strong acid, (b) a water-soluble iodide, (c) a water-soluble oxidizing agent, (d) a diazine compound and (e) an anti-oxidant. An excellent and rapid bleaching is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified method for processing silver dye bleach material by (1) silver developing, (2) dye and silver bleaching (3) silver fixing and (4) soaking. The sequence (1), (2), (3), (4) is followed and the bleaching bath (2) contains (a) a strong acid, (b) a water-soluble iodide, (c) a water-soluble oxidizing agent (d) an antioxidant and (e) a dye bleach catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dye bleach preparation which contains in addition to an acid, a water-soluble iodide and optionally a dye bleach catalyst at least one bifunctional sulphur compound having a sufficient solubility in the preparation and a low vapor pressure and containing at least one HS-group and at least one oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or additional sulphur atom, the sulphur atom of each HS-group being separated from the next oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen and phosphorus atom present in the molecule by at least three carbon atoms.The subject of the present invention is a dye bleach preparation for the photographic silver dye bleach process, which contains an acid, a water-soluble iodide and optionally a dye bleach catalyst. The preparation is characterised in that it contains at least one organic, at least bifunctional sulphur compound of which the solubility is at least 5.times.10.sup.-.sup.4 mol per liter of preparation and of which the vapour pressure in the temperature range of -20.degree.