Abstract: The method includes a step of creating a flow of the mixture, a step of generating an electron discharge at a velocity such as to create a zone in which the mixture is ionised and a step of directing a series of electron beams so as to intercept the flow of the mixture whereby the peripheral electron bonds of the polluting molecules and/or cells are broken by collision with the ions formed in the mixture. The apparatus includes an ionisation cell (10) having an anode (12) and an emitting cathode (13) excited at a negative voltage of the order of 50,000 volts. The cathode (13) has a series of pointed elements for emitting electron beams (30) which intersect in a zone (11) of interception of the mixture.

Abstract: The device presents an ionization cell (14, 114) housed inside a casing (13, 113) fitted inside the exhaust conduit (6, 106) of the engine (5, 105); and the cell (14, 114) presents at least one circularly symmetrical cathode (23, 64) supplied by an electronic circuit to generate a discharge of negative ions at such a speed as to break the peripheral electron bonds of the toxic or pollutant component molecules of the exhaust gas. In an embodiment for spark-ignition combustion engines (5), the casing (13) presents two coaxial fittings (21, 22), each surrounded by a metal sponge filter (33) for storing the heat of the gas. In a further embodiment for diesel engines (105), the casing (113) presents an inverting chamber (47) for inverting the gas flow and located upstream from the ionization cell (114); and the gas is heated in the inverting chamber (47) by resistors (61) supplied by the battery.

Abstract: The hose comprises two flexible portions connected respectively to the suction unit and to the fume-conveyor element or hood, and a rectilinear portion which is articulated to the suction unit and the hood. The rectilinear portion comprises two rigid tubes between which is disposed an extensible bellows-type tube. Rigid tubes are held co-axial by a pair of rectilinear guides fixed to one of the rigid tubes and slidably engaging on a pair of fixed slides on the other rigid tube. The two rigid tubes are, finally, connected by a tension spring the action of which is braked by two friction disks disposed between the guides and the slides.

Abstract: A device which is to constitute a tubular duct includes a plurality of flexible tubular sections and a plurality of rigid tubular sections. Articulation units are provided between one section and the next. Each articulation unit includes a pair of brackets provided with fastening collars. The respective collars are secured to ends of the rigid sections, ends of a respective flexible section being mounted on skirts of the adjacent rigid sections. The brackets of each pair of brackets are pivotally connected to move about a first respective axis. At least one bracket of at least one pair is additionally mounted to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the first axis.