Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging electric charge accumulated on an object tht expels an electrically conductive gas flow, such as a jet engine, a rocket, or a helicopter or aircraft with an internal combustion engine. The system has an electrical shield surrounding a portion of the gas flow, and an electrode for imposing an electric potential in the shielded gas flow. A servo controller measures the accumulated charge at a point on the object and creates a control signal responsive to the rate at which charge is accumulating. The servo controller imposes an electric potential on the electrode, and hence the gas flow, of an amount and polarity determined by the rate and polarity of charge accumulation. In so doing, the electrode accelerates charges of opposite polarity in the conductive gas away from the object, and deaccelerates like charges towards the object, where they tend to cancel accumulated charges, thus discharging the object.

Abstract: Battery separators, filters and other porous semi-rigid products are provided by a thermoset resin impregnated fibrous web containing cellulosic fiber, synthetic wood pulp, paper making staple long fiber and thermoset resin. The temperature for thermosetting can exceed the Vicat softening and even the melting temperature of the synthetic pulp without the loss of the flexibilizing effect of the synthetic pulp. By extension the teaching reaches to non-fibrous and non-porous materials. A process is also revealed.