Abstract: An ionizer emitter electrode is ideally formed of or at least partially coated with a carbide material, wherein the carbide material is selected from the group consisting of germanium carbide, boron carbide, silicon carbide and silicon-germanium carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode is substantially formed of silicon carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode is formed of an electrically conductive metal base that is at least partially coated with silicon carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode ionizes gas when high voltage is applied thereto, and the emitter electrode is formed substantially of silicon carbide and has a resistivity of less than or equal to about one hundred ohms-centimeter (100 ?-cm).

Abstract: A connector system is provided for coupling an ionization emitter to an high voltage (HV) supply. The connector system includes one or more contacts for distributing voltage from the HV supply to the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection device that detects an element of an emitter that provides one or more properties of the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection logic device that sets one or more operating parameters of the HV supply according the one or more properties provided by the element of the emitter.

Abstract: Current is measured in an ionization device that includes a high voltage supply, and an emitter electrically coupled to the HV supply. An opto-isolator is provided that includes a light source and a light detector. The light source has a current flowing through it. The light source is electrically coupled to the emitter. The output of the light detector is measured. The output of the light detector is related to the current flowing through the light source.

Abstract: An ionizer includes an alternating current (AC) voltage source having an output outputting a waveform with a positive half-cycle and a negative half-cycle, an electrode electrically coupled to the output of the AC voltage source, a reference proximate the electrode and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a return current nulling node electrically coupled to the output of the AC voltage source and the reference, a ground node separately electrically coupled to ground, a positive ion current sensor and a negative ion current sensor. The positive ion current sense node is configured to output a positive ion signal proportionate to a sensed positive ion current. The negative ion current sense node is configured to output a negative ion signal proportionate to a sensed negative ion current.

Abstract: An air ionizer blower includes a voltage source, an air inlet, an air outlet, an air mover, at least one electrode and a straightening vane. The air mover is configured to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet, thereby creating an air flow. The electrode is disposed in the flow path of the air and is electrically connected to the voltage source. The electrode is configured to generate either or both of positive and negative polarity ions. The straightening vane is disposed in the air flow and attenuates loss-causing air flow patterns by redirecting the loss-causing air flow toward a single output direction and redirects portions of the air flow having other trajectories toward the single output direction. The straightening vane has a plurality of uniformly distributed apertures, each having a depth that is a function of the open area of the aperture.

Abstract: An ionizer emitter electrode is ideally formed of or at least partially coated with a carbide material, wherein the carbide material is selected from the group consisting of germanium carbide, boron carbide, silicon carbide and silicon-germanium carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode is substantially formed of silicon carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode is formed of an electrically conductive metal base that is at least partially coated with silicon carbide. Alternatively, a corona-producing ionizer emitter electrode ionizes gas when high voltage is applied thereto, and the emitter electrode is formed substantially of silicon carbide and has a resistivity of less than or equal to about one hundred ohms-centimeter (100 ?-cm).

Abstract: An ionizer includes an alternating current (AC) voltage source having an output outputting a waveform with a positive half-cycle and a negative half-cycle, an electrode electrically coupled to the output of the AC voltage source, a reference proximate the electrode and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a return current nulling node electrically coupled to the output of the AC voltage source and the reference, a ground node separately electrically coupled to ground, a positive ion current sensor and a negative ion current sensor. The positive ion current sense node is configured to output a positive ion signal proportionate to a sensed positive ion current. The negative ion current sense node is configured to output a negative ion signal proportionate to a sensed negative ion current.

Abstract: An air ionizer blower includes a voltage source, an air inlet, an air outlet, an air mover, at least one electrode and a straightening vane. The air mover is configured to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet, thereby creating an air flow. The electrode is disposed in the flow path of the air and is electrically connected to the voltage source. The electrode is configured to generate either or both of positive and negative polarity ions. The straightening vane is disposed in the air flow and attenuates loss-causing air flow patterns by redirecting the loss-causing air flow toward a single output direction and redirects portions of the air flow having other trajectories toward the single output direction. The straightening vane has a plurality of uniformly distributed apertures, each having a depth that is a function of the open area of the aperture.

Abstract: A method of offset voltage control for pulse mode ionization systems is provided wherein the ionization system has positive and negative power supplies. The duty cycle and overlap of outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled, and an overlap that achieves a desired offset voltage is determined. The offset voltage and the corresponding overlap are stored in memory. The duty cycle and overlap of the outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled to achieve the desired offset voltage based upon the stored offset voltage comparison.

Abstract: An improved air ionizer apparatus includes an air inlet, a high voltage source, an electrode electrically connected to the high voltage source for generating ions and an air outlet. An air mover is provided for causing air to flow into the air ionizer through the air inlet and out of the air ionizer through the air outlet. A foraminous filter comprising an electrically conductive material is electrically coupled to at least one of a voltage source and ground. The filter is positioned over at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet and the electrode, such that air flowing into the air inlet, air flowing out of the air outlet or air flowing past the electrode flows through the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a metal grid or screen.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the transfer of ions from at least one ionizing pin disposed in an ion air blower into an air stream while the ion air blower is activated. The method includes attaching a baffle to the ion air blower; and positioning the baffle upstream from and proximate to the at least one ionizing pin to cause turbulent flow in the air stream proximate to the tip of the at least one ionizing pin. An ion air blower is also detailed herein. The air blower includes an emitter assembly disposed in a housing. A plurality of ionizing pins extend from the emitter assembly such that the air stream passes over the plurality of ionizing pins. A baffle is disposed proximate to and upstream from the ionizing pins to create turbulent flow in the air stream proximate to a tip of each of the ionizing pins.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports ionizing pins which extend radially outwardly from an annular assembly ring. The apparatus is preferably used as part of an ion air blower and is preferably contained inside of an ion air blower housing. Also enclosed in the ion air blower housing is a fan that is used to force air over the ionizing pins. The ionizing pins extend from the outer surface of the annular assembly ring with the ionizing pin tips positioned in an air guide proximate to the point of fastest airflow generated by the fan blades. This facilitates the stripping of ions from the ends of the ionizing pins by the propelled air. Additionally, the outwardly orientation of the ionizing pins naturally allows the ions to be directed outward towards the fastest airflow and allows for the increased miniaturization of an ion air blower using the emitter of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of offset voltage control for pulse mode ionization systems is provided wherein the ionization system has positive and negative power supplies. The duty cycle and overlap of outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled, and an overlap that achieves a desired offset voltage is determined. The offset voltage and the corresponding overlap are stored in memory. The duty cycle and overlap of the outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled to achieve the desired offset voltage based upon the stored offset voltage comparison.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the transfer of ions from at least one ionizing pin disposed in an ion air blower into an air stream while the ion air blower is activated. The method includes attaching a baffle to the ion air blower; and positioning the baffle upstream from and proximate to the at least one ionizing pin to cause turbulent flow in the air stream proximate to the tip of the at least one ionizing pin. An ion air blower is also detailed herein. The air blower includes an emitter assembly disposed in a housing. A plurality of ionizing pins extend from the emitter assembly such that the air stream passes over the plurality of ionizing pins. A baffle is disposed proximate to and upstream from the ionizing pins to create turbulent flow in the air stream proximate to a tip of each of the ionizing pins.

Abstract: An improved air ionizer apparatus includes an air inlet, a high voltage source, an electrode electrically connected to the high voltage source for generating ions and an air outlet. An air mover is provided for causing air to flow into the air ionizer through the air inlet and out of the air ionizer through the air outlet. A foraminous filter comprising an electrically conductive material is electrically coupled to at least one of a voltage source and ground. The filter is positioned over at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet and the electrode, such that air flowing into the air inlet, air flowing out of the air outlet or air flowing past the electrode flows through the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a metal grid or screen.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating banknotes. In some countries, genuine banknotes are provided with a security thread embedded in the banknote, but partially exposes at regularly spaced regions along its length by windows. The windows have a width greater that the security strip itself. The increased transmissivity of the banknote in the infrared region is utilized to detect the presence of such windows to validate the banknote. If the required variation in transmissivity is not detected, the banknote can be rejected as a countefeit.

Abstract: An apparatus that supports ionizing pins which extend radially outwardly from an annular assembly ring. The apparatus is preferably used as part of an ion air blower and is preferably contained inside of an ion air blower housing. Also enclosed in the ion air blower housing is a fan that is used to force air over the ionizing pins. The ionizing pins extend from the outer surface of the annular assembly ring with the ionizing pin tips positioned in an air guide proximate to the point of fastest airflow generated by the fan blades. This facilitates the stripping of ions from the ends of the ionizing pins by the propelled air. Additionally, the outwardly orientation of the ionizing pins naturally allows the ions to be directed outward towards the fastest airflow and allows for the increased miniaturization of an ion air blower using the emitter of the present invention.