Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating positive and negative ions, the method comprising: generating ac high voltage; providing different polarity of the high-voltage to at least one pair of ionizing electrodes mounted in separate conducting cages located adjacent to each other, each of the cages provided with an opening opposite the electrode; balancing ion currents emitted by each of the electrodes by providing a balancing unit, output from the ac high voltage being via the balancing unit to the electrodes, each electrode provided with different polarity; and generating an external electric field by using the ion current from each electrode across to the cage in which the electrode is mounted, passing through an element for producing a voltage drop, whereby some of the ions generated from the electrodes escape outside the cages due to the presence of electric field between the cages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating positive and negative ions, the method comprising: generating ac high voltage; providing different polarity of the high-voltage to at least one pair of ionizing electrodes mounted in separate conducting cages located adjacent to each other, each of the cages provided with an opening opposite the electrode; balancing ion currents emmited by each of the electrodes by providing a balancing unit, output from the ac high voltage being via the balancing unit to the electrodes, each electrode provided with different polarity; and generating an external electric field by using the ion current from each electrode across to the cage in which the electrode is mounted, passing through an element for producing a voltage drop, whereby some of the ions generated from the electrodes escape outside the cages due to the presence of electric field between the cages

Abstract: A method of high efficiency generation of ions of desired polarity, which includes the steps of positioning a first electrode at a predetermined spacing from a second electrode having a closed shape configuration, applying to both electrodes a direct voltage of the same polarity, at the same time as applying the direct voltage, applying high voltage pulses to the first electrode only, thereby to cause ion generation in the vicinity of the first electrode and to set up a rapidly moving ion stream from the first to the second electrode along an electrical field therebetween, wherein the duration of the pulses is shorter than the time taken for the ion stream to reach the second electrode, and wherein ions in the ion stream have the same polarity as the second electrode, thereby to be repelled and concentrated as they flow through the second electrode.