Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating positive and negative ions include electrodes that are spaced apart by a gap and that are supplied alternating ionizing voltage at a frequency which causes the generated ions to move within the gap between electrodes and exhibit a resident time in transit that accumulates the ions substantially within the central region of the gap. An electrostatic field, or a flowing stream of air or other gas passing through the gap, transports the generated ions from within the gap. Self-balancing of generated positive and negative ions is accomplished using capacitive coupling of the ionizing voltage to at least one of the electrodes disposed about the gap.

Abstract: Static neutralization of a charged object is provided by generating, in an ionizing cell or module, an ion cloud having a mix of positively and negatively charged ions, and reshaping the ion cloud by redistributing the ions into two regions of opposite polarity by using a second voltage. The second voltage creates an electrical field, which is preferably located in the vicinity of the ion cloud. The redistribution of the ions increases the effective range in which available ions may be displaced or directed towards the charged object. The electrical field redistributes ions that form the ion cloud. Ion redistribution within the ion cloud occurs because ions having a polarity corresponding to the polarity of the second voltage are repelled from the electrical field, and ions having a polarity opposite from that of the electrical field are attracted to electrical field.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating and controlling flows of positive and negative air ions includes interposing isolated sets of electrodes in a flowing air stream to separately produce positive and negative ions. The rates of separated production of positive and negative ions are sensed to control ionizing voltages applied to electrodes that produce the ions. Variations from a balance condition of substantially equal amounts of positive and negative ions flowing in the air stream are also sensed to alter bias voltage applied to a grid electrode through which the air stream and ions flow.

Abstract: An ionizer bar includes upper and lower housings having aerodynamically-shaped exterior surfaces to support laminar air flow over the structure. The upper housing forms an upper interior chamber for electrical circuitry isolated from a lower chamber within the lower housing that confines fluid under pressure therein. Outlets spaced along the length of the structure include ionizing electrodes that are disposed within fluid conduits and that are connected to a source of ionizing voltage mounted in the upper chamber. Fluid passages at the outlets release fluid under pressure within the lower chamber around associated ionizing electrodes mounted at the outlets.

Abstract: An ionizer bar includes upper and lower housings having aerodynamically-shaped exterior surfaces to support laminar air flow over the structure. The upper housing forms an upper interior chamber for electrical circuitry isolated from a lower chamber within the lower housing that confines fluid under pressure therein. Outlets spaced along the length of the structure include ionizing electrodes that are disposed within fluid conduits and that are connected to a source of ionizing voltage mounted in the upper chamber. Fluid passages at the outlets release fluid under pressure within the lower chamber around associated ionizing electrodes mounted at the outlets.

Abstract: Simultaneous neutralization and monitoring of charge on a moving dielectric material is achieved with ionizing devices that supply ions in proximity to the material to thereby substantially neutralize charge on the material, and with circuitry that senses the ion currents flowing from the ionizing devices to the material. A controller can be utilized to control the ionizing devices and/or calculate various parameters (such as charge densities on the web, efficiency, etc.) based on the sensed ion currents.