Abstract: Apparatuses for converting a non-ionized gas stream into an ionized gas stream are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include an ionizing wire electrode at least partially disposed within and stationary relative to a channel. A frame has plural support elements for supporting the ionizing wire. The frame is configured to make full rotations around the channel in a first rotation direction while applying tension to the ionizing wire. The support elements are configured to physically remove material from the ionizing wire while the support elements are moved along the wire by the frame rotation.

Abstract: Apparatuses for converting a non-ionized gas stream into an ionized gas stream are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include an ionizing wire electrode at least partially disposed within and stationary relative to a channel. A frame has plural support elements for supporting the ionizing wire. The frame is configured to make full rotations around the channel in a first rotation direction while applying tension to the ionizing wire. The support elements are configured to physically remove material from the ionizing wire while the support elements are moved along the wire by the frame rotation.

Abstract: Apparatuses for converting a non-ionized gas stream into an ionized gas stream are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include an ionizing wire electrode at least partially disposed within and stationary relative to a channel. A frame has plural support elements for supporting the ionizing wire. The frame is configured to make full rotations around the channel in a first rotation direction while applying tension to the ionizing wire. The support elements are configured to physically remove material from the ionizing wire while the support elements are moved along the wire by the frame rotation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of automatically balancing ionized air stream created in bipolar corona discharge is provided. The method comprises: providing an air moving device with at least one ion emitter and reference electrode connected to a micro-pulsed AC power source, and a control system with at least one ion balance monitor and corona discharge adjustment control; generating variable polarity groups of short duration ionizing micro-pulses: wherein said micro-pulses are predominantly asymmetric in amplitude and duration of both polarity voltages and have a magnitude of at least one polarity ionizing pulses exceed the corona threshold.

Abstract: A self-cleaning linear ionizer with at least one ionizing electrode, at least one electrode-cleaner, and at least two spool assemblies is disclosed. The electrode has opposing ends and defines an axial working length with a surface that produces an ion cloud and develops degradation products with use. Although the working length of the electrode is stationary, the electrode is movable. The electrode-cleaner is also stationary and selectively engages the electrode along its working length. The opposing ends of the electrode are fixed to the opposing spool assemblies which selectively move the ionizing electrode such that the electrode-cleaner removes at least some of the surface degradation products from the electrode during movement. Methods of using the disclosed ionizer have self-cleaning and ionization modes of operation, which may occur cyclically, alternately, or simultaneously, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: Apparatuses for converting a non-ionized gas stream into an ionized gas stream are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include an ionizing wire electrode at least partially disposed within and stationary relative to a channel. A frame has plural support elements for supporting the ionizing wire. The frame is configured to make full rotations around the channel in a first rotation direction while applying tension to the ionizing wire. The support elements are configured to physically remove material from the ionizing wire while the support elements are moved along the wire by the frame rotation.

Abstract: A self-cleaning linear ionizer with at least one ionizing electrode, at least one electrode-cleaner, and at least two spool assemblies is disclosed. The electrode has opposing ends and defines an axial working length with a surface that produces an ion cloud and develops degradation products with use. Although the working length of the electrode is stationary, the electrode is movable. The electrode-cleaner is also stationary and selectively engages the electrode along its working length. The opposing ends of the electrode are fixed to the opposing spool assemblies which selectively move the ionizing electrode such that the electrode-cleaner removes at least some of the surface degradation products from the electrode during movement. Methods of using the disclosed ionizer have self-cleaning and ionization modes of operation, which may occur cyclically, alternately, or simultaneously, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning contaminant byproducts off of ionizing wire electrodes in ionizing blowers are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include a housing with a gas-flow channel, an stationary ionizing wire, and a rotatable frame with supports for resiliently supporting the stationary ionizing wire within the channel. The ionizing wire produces charge carriers and has a surface that develops a layer of contaminant byproducts when an ionizing signal is applied thereto. The frame is rotatably mounted such that the supports clean the layer of contaminant byproducts off of the surface of the ionizing wire when the frame is rotated. Disclosed methods include providing an ionizing signal to the ionizing wire to thereby produce charge carriers and rotating the frame relative to the housing to thereby clean contaminant byproducts off of the ionizing wire.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning contaminant byproducts off of ionizing wire electrodes in ionizing blowers are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include a housing with a gas-flow channel, an stationary ionizing wire, and a rotatable frame with supports for resiliently supporting the stationary ionizing wire within the channel. The ionizing wire produces charge carriers and has a surface that develops a layer of contaminant byproducts when an ionizing signal is applied thereto. The frame is rotatably mounted such that the supports clean the layer of contaminant byproducts off of the surface of the ionizing wire when the frame is rotated. Disclosed methods include providing an ionizing signal to the ionizing wire to thereby produce charge carriers and rotating the frame relative to the housing to thereby clean contaminant byproducts off of the ionizing wire.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of automatically balancing ionized air stream created in bipolar corona discharge is provided. The method comprises: providing an air moving device with at least one ion emitter and reference electrode connected to a micro-pulsed AC power source, and a control system with at least one ion balance monitor and corona discharge adjustment control; generating variable polarity groups of short duration ionizing micro-pulses: wherein said micro-pulses are predominantly asymmetric in amplitude and duration of both polarity voltages and have a magnitude of at least one polarity ionizing pulses exceed the corona threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of automatically balancing ionized air stream created in bipolar corona discharge is provided. The method comprises: providing an air moving device with at least one ion emitter and reference electrode connected to a micro-pulsed AC power source, and a control system with at least one ion balance monitor and corona discharge adjustment control; generating variable polarity groups of short duration ionizing micro-pulses: wherein said micro-pulses are predominantly asymmetric in amplitude and duration of both polarity voltages and have a magnitude of at least one polarity ionizing pulses exceed the corona threshold.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning contaminant byproducts off of ionizing wire electrodes in ionizing blowers are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include a housing with a gas-flow channel, an stationary ionizing wire, and a rotatable frame with supports for resiliently supporting the stationary ionizing wire within the channel. The ionizing wire produces charge carriers and has a surface that develops a layer of contaminant byproducts when an ionizing signal is applied thereto. The frame is rotatably mounted such that the supports clean the layer of contaminant byproducts off of the surface of the ionizing wire when the frame is rotated. Disclosed methods include providing an ionizing signal to the ionizing wire to thereby produce charge carriers and rotating the frame relative to the housing to thereby clean contaminant byproducts off of the ionizing wire.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning contaminant byproducts off of ionizing wire electrodes in ionizing blowers are disclosed. Disclosed apparatus include a housing with a gas-flow channel, an stationary ionizing wire, and a rotatable frame with supports for resiliently supporting the stationary ionizing wire within the channel. The ionizing wire produces charge carriers and has a surface that develops a layer of contaminant byproducts when an ionizing signal is applied thereto. The frame is rotatably mounted such that the supports clean the layer of contaminant byproducts off of the surface of the ionizing wire when the frame is rotated, by physical and/or by electrical means. Disclosed methods include providing an ionizing signal to the ionizing wire to thereby produce charge carriers and rotating the frame relative to the housing to thereby clean contaminant byproducts off of the ionizing wire.