Abstract: A first stream of pressurized gas is directed at high toward a target area through an ionization chamber. As the high-speed, pressurized gas flows through the ionization chamber, a low-pressure region is used to draw a second stream of gas into the ionization chamber. The second stream of gas is drawn into the ionization chamber from the target area. Re-circulation of gas from the target area supplements the pressurized gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of ionization while reducing the volume of pressurized gas that must be consumed. This helps to prevent recombination while increasing the rate of flow of ionized gas to the target area. A cost-effective, safe, low-level radiation source is used to direct soft X-rays through a filtering window at the gas as it passes through the ionization chamber. Use of the filtering window physically separates the low-level radiation source from the ionization chamber and only allows soft X-rays to pass into the chamber.

Abstract: A signal translating circuit is operable on applied input signal through recurring cycles of conduction and non-conduction of a junction type transistor in response to current transfers between inductors in collector and base circuits through an internal conduction path of the collector-base junction. The inductor in the collector circuit is connected to receive the input signal, and bias circuitry connected between the base and emitter receives the input signal for powering cyclic operation at a frequency determined in part by the values of inductance in the base and collector circuits. Output utilization circuitry produces output voltages of opposite polarity from oscillator output pulses of predominantly one polarity.

Abstract: Ionizing apparatus includes a housing that supports a plurality of ionizing electrodes disposed within fluid apertures that are connected via tubing conduits to pass fluid therethrough about the electrodes. Gas to be ionized is supplied under pressure to the apertures transporting gas ions generated at the electrodes in response to high ionizing voltage supplied thereto. To clean the ionizing apparatus, cleaning liquid is supplied under pressure in one flow direction through the tubing conduits and apertures to remove particles from within the tubing conduits and apertures and from surfaces of the electrodes.

Abstract: A computer system for automatically converting a scrollable electronic document, including text, graphics, tables and combinations, from a scrollable format to a non-scrollable format, the system comprising a page-forming mechanism configured to operatively and automatically arrange the scrollable electronic information document into a plurality of non-scrollable pages, each having one or more columns wherein each of the columns has a width corresponding to a number of characters per line within a predetermined range of characters per line, a content formatter mechanism configured to be operatively responsive to embedded formatting commands, either common word-processing commands or html commands or both; a font-sizing mechanism configured to operatively permit a user to selectively alter the size of the characters comprising the non-scrollable pages; an image sizing mechanism configured either to automatically alter the widths of graphic images and tables in the electronic document to proportionately conform

Abstract: An ionizing bar assembly having a plastic housing with two individual ionizing electrode modules disposed on opposite sides. The ionizing electrode modules each include a plurality of printed circuit boards having signal traces thereon with ionizing electrodes or pins extending therefrom. The printed circuit boards are electrically coupled together by conductive rods or tubing positioned adjacent to the traces on the boards and soldered at various positions along the traces. The ionizing electrode modules are placed at opposing angles and are offset laterally from each other in such a way that the ionizing electrodes or pins extending from one module are located between the ionizing electrodes or pins extending from the opposite module, with the tips of each aligned along a common central linear axis.

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: 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: An air ionizing apparatus that produces both positive and negative ions has a housing with air inlet and outlet passages, a plurality of spaced apart air ionizing electrodes and a high voltage supply which applies positive and negative voltages to separate electrodes. A fan creates an airflow that carries the ions out of the housing, the fan preferably being between the electrodes and the outlet passages to promote intermixing of positive and negative ions.

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: 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: 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 cleaning device is coupled to a fan used for creating air flow across ionizing electrodes. The cleaning device rotates with the propeller and includes a cover adapted for mounting on the propeller hub. A stand is attached to the cover and has a rod that is slidably installed into a hole in the stand. A brush and a weight are attached to the opposite ends of the rod, and a compression spring is disposed about the rod and positioned on the side of the stand opposite the weight. A counterweight assembly is also attached to the stand for dynamically balancing the cleaning device during a full cycle of operation. The counterweight assembly includes a counterweight and an extension spring that are slidably mounted about a rod attached to the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: An improved electro-coalescent/magnetic separation (ECMS) system for removing contaminants from water, including desalinization, comprises a device for exposing a stream of water to be treated to an electric field, followed by introduction of ionized coagulating substances, including ionized gases and/or metal ions, followed by plural filter stages. The first filter stage may comprise a polarizable glass, alumina, or ceramic media provided as a bed in a tank with an underdrain, so as to provide substantial residence time. A polishing filter may comprise a very fine fiber or organic gel filter element confined between relatively flexible electrically-conductive screen members and provided with a DC power supply to polarize the filter. This assembly is confined between relatively rigid, perforated members such that the filter assembly can move slightly upon backwash to dislodge caked-on contaminants or the like, while preserving the structural integrity of the filter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion emitter tip metals and alloys for ionizing the molecules of a gas which concurrently produces small diameter and very low numbers of unwanted particles. Specifically, the invention discloses ion emitter tip materials which, when subjected to normal operating electrical conditions of between about 0.1 and 100 microamperes per emitter tip, produces about 1 particle or less having a diameter of about 0.5 microns or less per cubic foot. Useful ion emitter tip materials include zirconium, titanium, molybdenum, tantalum, rhenium or alloys of these metals. In a specific embodiment, the metal alloys comprise zirconium and rhenium, titanium and rhenium, molybdenum and rhenium, or tantalum and rhenium. Silicon coated metal emitter tips, particularly titanium-silicon coated are disclosed. The emitter tip materials are useful to obtain Class 1 clean room standards in static air or flowing air environments used, for example, in semiconductor manufacture.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting water streams comprises a source of ionized plasma, that is, a stream of air including ionized oxygen and nitrogen gas molecules, including ozone, and an additional source of metal ions. The gas plasma is introduced into the water stream upstream of the metal ion stream to produce a variety of oxidizing, coagulating, and disinfecting reactions. Further, the metal ions combine with the gas ions to form additionally known disinfectant compounds. The source of ionized gas molecules is an ultraviolet lamp juxtaposed to a coil providing electric and/or magnetic fields, to excite and ionize oxygen and nitrogen molecules of the air. The sacrificial electrodes may comprise alloy members of the metal elements to be provided to the water stream. A DC potential applied to the electrodes is uniformly reversed at intervals, to encourage sacrificial erosion thereof.

Abstract: An improved sterilizer for destroying biological contaminants in water comprises an annular water jacket through which the water stream flows, disposed around a high-intensity ultraviolet source comprising a number of lamps and a source of an intense magnetic field. Additionally, an air stream flows past the lamps, cooling the lamps, while being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation and the magnetic field, so that oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmospheric air stream are ionized. This ionized air stream is further mixed with the water stream to continually reduce and oxidize contaminants therein, and to promote coagulation of contaminants for physical filtration and removal.

Abstract: An improved system and novel components and methods for treating waste waters contaminated with a variety of commercial, municipal, and/or industrial contaminants. A mixing vessel according to the invention comprises upper and lower mixing chambers connected by an intermediate tubular section and a fluid exit tube running coaxially down the center of the intermediate tubular portion. The fluid stream to be treated flows in a spiral pattern vertically through the vessel, providing turbulent flow. The flow stream may be subjected to electric or magnetic fields. In one embodiment, streams of the fluid to be treated and of an ionized coagulant are combined prior to entry into the vessel; in another embodiment, the incoming flow stream is combined with the coagulants in the mixing vessel. The incoming flow may be split between annular passageways to improve mixing. Magnetite particles may be generated in situ and added to the flow stream to further encourage coagulation in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: An improved electro-coalescent/magnetic separation (ECMS) system for removing contaminants from water, including desalinization, comprises a device for exposing a stream of water to be treated to an electric field, followed by introduction of ionized coagulating substances, including ionized gases and/or metal ions, followed by plural filter stages. The first filter stage may comprise a polarizable glass, alumina, or ceramic media provided as a bed in a tank with an underdrain, so as to provide substantial residence time. A polishing filter may comprise a very fine fiber or organic gel filter element confined between relatively flexible electrically-conductive screen members and provided with a DC power supply to polarize the filter. This assembly is confined between relatively rigid, perforated members such that the filter assembly can move slightly upon backwash to dislodge caked-on contaminants or the like, while preserving the structural integrity of the filter assembly.

Abstract: A voltage converter circuit uses a silicon-controlled rectifier for converting input voltage to selected levels of output voltage. The silicon-controlled rectifier is connected in a circuit including a capacitor which oscillates between charging and discharging to produce a resulting waveform that is applied to a transformer for developing high positive and negative output voltages. Pulses are produced which are asynchronous with alternating line signal. Since the silicon-controlled rectifier operates on DC voltages, an electrolytic capacitor of high capacitance values can be connected between the silicon-controlled rectifier and AC or DC supply lines to substantially reduce noise signals conducted back into the supply line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion emitter tip metals and alloys for ionizing the molecules of a gas which concurrently produces small diameter and very low numbers of unwanted particles. Specifically, the invention discloses ion emitter tip materials which, when subjected to normal operating electrical conditions of between about 0.1 and 100 microamperes per emitter tip, produces about 1 particle or less having a diameter of about 0.5 microns or less per cubic foot. Useful ion emitter tip materials include zirconium, titanium, molybdenum, tantalum, rhenium or alloys of these metals. In a specific embodiment, the metal alloys comprise zirconium and rhenium, titanium and rhenium, molybdenum and rhenium, or tantalum and rhenium. Silicon coated metal emitter tips, particularly titanium-silicon coated are disclosed. The emitter tip materials are useful to obtain Class 1 clean room standards in static air or flowing air environments used, for example, in semiconductor manufacture.