Abstract: Automotive air conditioning apparatus for generating air anions in the passenger compartments of motor vehicles is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus includes a voltage converter for converting the ignition voltage of the vehicle engine to a lower voltage suitable for operating an air anion generator located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The voltage converter includes a voltage reducer, such as a resistive voltage divider or an autotransformer, a rectifier, a fuse, and a current limiting resistor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for preventing electrically charged particles adjacent an ion generator from soiling a wall or other items adjacent the ion generator. An electrically conductive particle collector surrounds the outlet of the ion generator and is fastened to the ion generator. The electrically conductive particle collector carries an electrical line which is adapted to be plugged into the ground terminal of an electrical wall socket. A disposable sheet member, preferably formed of paper, covers the particle collector. Electrically charged particles adjacent the ion generator area are attracted to the particle collector and coat the disposable sheet member which can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: An improved ion generator comprising a set of specially shaped negative electrodes, a positive accelerator in the form of a ring or flat plates, and a grounded screen. The parts are serially arranged in a tube or channel and connected to the output terminals of a high-voltage direct-current power source. Negative ions are produced for the permeation of the atmosphere in living quarters.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of securing a sheet or a poster to a base, wherein the sheet or poster is brought into contact with at least one plastics material sheet and caused to adhere to said base by dampening said base or by wiping said base on the poster side with a means suitable for producing an electrostatic charge.In one particular application two plastics material sheets joined together along one edge and folded along said edge so as to be superposed one on the other are utilized, said sheet or poster being placed between or on said superposed sheets, said superposed sheets being caused to adhere to one another by being wiped with means suitable for producing an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: An air ionizer comprises an ion emission wire and a metallic reflecting shield partially surrounding it, the wire and the shield being connected to a high voltage source. The shield is insulated from ground and its two edges define therebetween a discharge region for the emitted ions. The reflecting polarity of the wire and reflecting shield potentials are the same. The high voltage potential at the shield is at least 3000 V, preferably 5000-10,000 V and does not exceed that at the wire. The potential of the high voltage source to which the shield is connected is at least equal to the potential prevailing at the shield edges due to the electrical field generated by the electrical charge at the wire in the absence of a reflecting shield.

Abstract: A system and equipment for the preventative protection of objects located on the surface of the earth from the effects of atmospherics.

Abstract: There is provided a corona filament assembly which is characterized by parallel rails each having a plurality of binding posts secured thereto. Each post is formed of a button about which the filament turns and having a lip spaced from the rail and an O-ring gripping element compressibly coacting between the rail and the lip to hold the filament. The filament is wound about the binding posts in a serpentine manner and tightly retained by the O-ring.

Abstract: Conducting plates of opposite electrical potential are alternately disposed and spaced apart and immersed in a dielectric fluid in a chamber. Gas is supplied to the bottom of the chamber and passes through the fluid and over the plates. A partial vacuum is maintained in the region above the surface of the dielectric, from which the gas is extracted.

Abstract: An ionization device comprising an ionization electrode coupled to a source of high voltage; an insulative housing member disposed in spaced adjacent relationship to the ionization electrode; and a conductor coupled to ground and to the insulative housing member; the insulative housing member and the conductor being arranged for providing a controlled flow of electric charges from the insulative member to ground.

Abstract: An air ionizer is provided of the type in which a corona discharge is produced at the point of a sharp `needle` by connecting it to a source of high potential. One or more needles, mounted in an insulator, point in a direction opposite to the eventual flow of air ions. At ions emitted from the point of the needle are reflected by a reflector. The reflector may comprise a sheet of insulating material or an electrically conductive material, e.g. a metal, mounted on insulators. The reflector may be provided with perforations for the passage of air therethrough such that the ionizer may, with advantage, be placed in a moving air stream. The insulator on which the needle(s) is or are mounted may comprise a polythene cable or a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An improved means for generating a negative charge effect in the environment, in which oppositely charged electrically conductive plates are coated with secondary emissive material and are enclosed in a sealed container such as glass that is preferably filled with an inert gas such as argon.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining precise electrically neutral, positive or negative atmosphere in an area, such as a textile mill, by adding charged ions to air being pumped into that area, for example, through an air conditioning duct whereby at least two spaced apart grids are mounted in the duct with one connected to a positive high voltage source and the other connected to a negative high voltage source so that both grids produce ions and the voltages applied thereto are controlled to maintain the area atmosphere neutral, positively charged or negatively charged as required to dissipate an undesired charge generated in a manufacturing process.

Abstract: A grid wire for use in a duct for imparting ions in the air flowing through the duct responsive to a voltage being placed on the grid. The grid includes a housing which has upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending supports carried therein. Laterally spaced grid wires extend between the upper and lower support members. Screw means are provided for securing the grid wires to the intermediate non-conductive support members so as to minimize the length of the free swinging portion of the wire in case the wire breaks. By making the intermediate support member non-conductive a more uniform discharge of ions is produced by the grid.

Abstract: The air ionizer comprises a sealed insulating housing containing a high voltage power supply and a half-wave modifier. Conductive brushes or filamentary elements are provided on the outside surface of the housing and are coupled to the power supply, either resistively or capacitively, so that they generate ions in the surrounding air. Capacitive coupling is to a conductive layer on the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing ions wherein an ion generator produces periodic pulses of electric energy of a single polarity for some applications and alternating positive and negative polarities for other applications. A plurality of the electric pulses are limited in amplitude by a substantially sinusoidal half-wave envelope and the positive and negative pulses are preferably of different amplitudes. The ground electrode is arranged about and upstream and downstream of the ionizing electrode to provide a highly effective electric field substantially normal to the gas flow. A heater heats the gas to increase ionization. An ultrasonic sound wave generator pulses the gas with sound waves prior to, during or after ionization of the gas to group the ions of a like charge in distinct pressure wave fronts or distinct areas so as to reduce recombination of ions thereby making more ions available per volume and also increasing the total energy of the ions produced.

Abstract: A method and system for ionizing air passing through a metallic duct, e.g. to maintain precise electrically neutral, positive or negative atmosphere in an area, such as a textile mill, by adding charged ions to air being pumped into that area, with at least one electrical grid mounted in the duct by means of one or more insulator posts connecting the grid to a duct wall and adapted for connection to a DC high voltage source whereby buildup of conductive material such as grease or lint in a conductive path between the grid and duct wall is prevented. In one embodiment this is accomplished by providing an insulating sleeve within the duct and surrounding the grid, this sleeve by protecting against short circuits also permitting high currents to be safely used. In a second embodiment air deflectors mounted on the grid wall deflect the air in the duct away from the insulator posts, preferably with the aid of clean air injected between the air deflectors and duct wall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating particles having the characteristics and mobility of free electrons. The particles may be dispersed into the environment around the apparatus without circulating air through the apparatus. A relatively high alternating voltage is applied between alternate spaced electrically conductive plates covered with a dielectric material which has high coefficients of secondary electron emission and sufficient dielectric strength to withstand the generation of a cold glow discharge or plasma between facing layers of the material.

Abstract: An air ionizer is provided of the type in which a corona discharge is produced at the point of a sharp `needle` by connecting it to a source of high potential. One or more needles, mounted in an insulator, point in a direction opposite to the eventual flow of air ions. At ions emitted from the point of the needle are reflected by a reflector. The reflector may comprise a sheet of insulating material or an electrically conductive material, e.g. a metal, mounted on insulators. The reflector may be provided with perforations for the passage of air therethrough such that the ionizer may, with advantage, be placed in a moving air stream. The insulator on which the needle(s) is or are mounted may comprise a polythene cable or a printed circuit board.