Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system include a reagent charging apparatus configured to apply one or more electrical charges to a NOx reducing reagent. The electrical charges enhance mixing of the reagent with fluids carrying NOx and/or enhance reactivity of the reagent with NOx.

Abstract: A down-fired flame burner includes a flame charger and one or more field electrodes configured to control flame shape and/or heat transfer to a chemical reactor.

Abstract: A premixed fuel and air combustion system includes an anti-flashback electrode configured to repel a charge concentration in a combustion fluid and reduce or prevent the flame from flashing back into a mixer.

Abstract: A flame used to heat a process material may be extended or otherwise shaped by the application of voltages using electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing flame radiation includes a flame charging system and an electrically isolated electrode. A time-varying voltage is applied to the flame charging system and the flame charging system imparts a corresponding time-varying charge or time-varying voltage onto the flame. The flame responds to the time-varying charge or voltage by increasing its luminosity.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes an electrode array comprising a corona discharge electrode and an array of accelerating electrodes for moving a fluid. A control circuit supplies power to the electrode array including control of a corona discharge voltage and a heating current to cause the corona discharge electrode to vibrate. The control circuit also controls heating of heating elements and can operate the electrostatic fluid accelerator in response to an detection of a constituent of the fluid.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes an electrode array comprising an array of corona discharge electrodes and an array of accelerating electrodes for moving a fluid. A detector is configured to sense a constituent component of the fluid. A control circuit supplies power to the electrode array and operates the electrostatic fluid accelerator in response to an output from the detector.

Abstract: Improved multi-sectional bobbin designs described herein define a channel suitable to accommodate a portion of the wire that transits from prior winding section to the next, wherein opposing walls of the channel so defined separate the transiting portion of the wire from both prior and next winding sections through a substantial entirety of the wires descent from an upper winding layer in the prior section to a lower winding layer in the next.

Abstract: An improved ventilating range hood includes a sheet metal collecting hood, vented to the outdoors; a variable speed, electronically controllable fan, mounted in such a way as to draw air from a cooking area and out through said vent of said collecting hood; a plurality of air quality sensors capable of detecting both comfort factors and the presence of hazardous substances in the air; an embedded control algorithm which examines the composite output of said discrete air quality sensors, as well as, the trend information and determines from said information an instantaneous ventilation requirement, and a control signal, derived from said algorithm to regulate the fan speed level such that every combination of discrete air quality sensor conditions will have a unique associated fan speed level based on said ventilation requirement. The air quality sensors may include sensors for temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, smoke, etc.

Abstract: A method of water desalination and purification includes steps of flowing salted or contaminated water concentration into a narrow or pointed portion of a corona electrode; applying an electrical potential difference between the water and an opposite electrode; generating a corona discharge in the narrow or pointed portion; evaporating the water; electrically charging water droplets and molecules formed by the evaporating step by means of the corona discharge; moving the charged droplets and molecules toward the oppositely charged electrode; condensing fresh water; and collecting fresh water. A corresponding desalination device includes a corona electrode; at least one attracting electrode; a power supply generating electrical potential difference between the corona electrode and the attracting electrode; and at least one water condensing member.

Abstract: A space heater for heating air includes a duct for transporting air from an inlet to an outlet of the duct; a heating component; and an electrostatic discharge device within the duct for accelerating the gas through the duct from the inlet to the outlet. The electrostatic discharge device may include a high voltage power supply; at least one corona electrode connected to the high voltage power supply; and a collector electrode located proximate the corona electrode and connected to the high voltage power supply so as to induce a motion of the gas in a direction from the corona electrode toward the collector electrode.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provide substantially complete and rapid air cleaning and/or disinfection in the rooms that are substantially closed to outside air and have the typical complement and arrangement of furniture and people present, i.e. a “normal”environment. A study of air flow patterns in a variety of room configurations and arrangements demonstrates that EFA location within the room as well as furniture and people play a crucial role in air movement and airflow throughout the room, in minimizing or eliminating “dead spots” of stagnant air, and in achieving a goal of cleaning and disinfecting substantially all of the air.

Abstract: An apparatus enhances the efficiency of a combustion heating device such as a fireplace by incorporating an ionic gas propulsion mechanism (e.g., a corona discharge device) to transport ambient air through a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger is configured to warm the ambient air using both heat energy produced by the combustion process and/or by byproducts of the combustion, e.g., exhaust gases. Air scrubber functions collect particulates present in the air including combustion byproducts such as ash and soot. An audio modulator may be used to vary the high voltage applied to electrodes of the corona discharge electrodes to vary air velocity in response to an audio or similar control signal to induce a vibratory motion to the air, i.e., sound, in forms such as music or simulated natural noise, and/or to cancel or attenuate undesirable sounds and noises, such as chimney sounds.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator having a multiplicity of closely spaced corona electrodes. The close spacing of such corona electrodes is obtainable because such corona electrodes are isolated from one another with exciting electrodes. Either the exciting electrode must be placed asymmetrically between adjacent corona electrodes or an accelerating electrode must be employed. The accelerating electrode can be either an attracting or a repelling electrode. Preferably, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes is maintained between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage with a flexible top high-voltage power supply. Optionally, however, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes can be varied, even outside the range between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage, in to vary the flow of fluid.

Abstract: Electrospray evaporative cooling (ESC). Means for effectuating thermal management using electrospray cooling are presented herein. An ESC may be implemented having one or more nozzles situated to spray droplets of a fluid towards a target. Because the fluid may be electrolytic, an electric field may be established between the one or more nozzles and the target can be operative to govern the direction, rate, etc. of the electrospraying between the one or more nozzles and the target. An additional shielding/field enhancement electrode may also be implemented between the one or more nozzles and the target. A droplet movement mechanism may be employed to transport droplets received at a first location of the target so that evaporation thereof may occur relatively more at a second location of the target. An ESC device may be implemented to effectuate thermal management of any of a variety of types of electronic devices.

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: An electrostatic fluid acceleration and method of operation thereof includes at least two synchronously powered stages with final or rear-most electrodes of one stage maintained at substantially the same instantaneous voltage as the immediately adjacent initial or forward-most electrodes of a next stage in an airflow direction. A single power supply or synchronized and phase controlled power supplies provide high voltage power to each of the stages such that both the phase and amplitude of the electric power applied to the corresponding electrodes are aligned in time. The frequency and phase control allows neighboring stages to be closely spaced at a distance of from 1 to 2 times an inter-electrode distance within a stage, and, in any case, minimizing or avoiding production of a back corona current from a corona discharge electrode of one stage to an electrode of a neighboring stage.

Abstract: A method for handling a fluid may be incorporated into the operation of, for example, a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. Such a corona discharge device typically includes at least one corona discharge electrode and at least one collector electrode positioned proximate each other so as to provide a total inter-electrode capacitance within a predetermined range. The electric power supply is connected to supply an electric power signal to said corona discharge and collector electrodes so as to cause a corona current to flow between the corona discharge and collector electrodes. A relationship between alternating and direct (or constant, non-time varying) components of the voltage may be expressed as (Vac/Vdc)?(Iac/Idc).

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes an electrode array comprising an array of corona discharge electrodes and an array of accelerating electrodes for moving a fluid. A detector is configured to sense a constituent component of the fluid. A control circuit supplies power to the electrode array and operates the electrostatic fluid accelerator in response to an output from the detector.

Abstract: A method of converting an audio signal into vibratory modulation of a fluid includes converting a series of pulses representative of the audio signal into a plurality of signals having an intermediate peak-to-peak voltage; summing said signals having said intermediate voltage to provide a driver signal having a high peak-to-peak voltage; supplying said driver signal to an electrostatic fluid accelerator; and generating a corona discharge inducing said vibratory modulation of said fluid.