Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems – Discharge device load with fluent material supply to the... – Electron or ion source
Patent
1988-05-27
1990-10-30
LaRoche, Eugene R.
Electric lamp and discharge devices: systems
Discharge device load with fluent material supply to the...
Electron or ion source
417 48, 430937, 261DIG42, 31323141, H01J 724, H01T 2300
Patent
active
049671197
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an arrangement for transporting air with the aid of a so-called ion wind or corona wind and being of the kind set forth in the pre-characterizing clause of claim 1.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
It is known that air can, in principle, be transported with the aid of a so-called electric ion-wind or corona-wind. An electric ion-wind is created when a corona electrode and a target electrode are placed at a distance from one another and each connected to a respective terminal of a d.c. voltage source, the corona electrode and the d.c. voltage source being such as to cause a corona discharge at the corona electrode. This corona discharge results in ionization of the air, with the air ions having the same polarity as the polarity of the corona electrode, and possibly also in the production of electrically charged aerosols, i.e. air-suspended solid particles or liquid droplets which are electrically charged as a result of collisions with the electrically charged air ions. The air ions move rapidly from the corona electrode to the target electrode, under the influence of the electric field, where they relinquish their electric charge and return to electrically neutral air molecules. During their movement from the corona electrode to the target electrode, the air ions are in constant collision with the electrically neutral air molecules, therewith transferring electrostatic forces to the neutral air molecules, so as to draw these molecules from the corona electrode to the target electrode, resulting in the transportation of air in the form of a so-called ion wind or corona wind.
2. Description of the Related Art
Earlier proposed arrangements for transporting air with the aid of ion-wind are found described, for example, in DE-OS-2854716, DE-OS-2538959, GB-A-2112582, EP-A1-29421, U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,941 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,720. These prior art arrangements have been found extremely ineffective, however, and have not achieved any significance in practice. Air transporting arrangements which utilize the ion-wind principle and which display marked improvements over the aforesaid known arrangements, both with regard to efficiency and to practical utility, are described in our international patent application PCT/SE85/00538.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found, however, that air transporting arrangements of this latter kind are encumbered with a particular problem, especially when there is used an elongated corona electrode, for example an electrode which comprises one or more mutually parallel, rectilinear thin wires which extend across the airflow path between suitably constructed holders at the ends of the electrode. When using a corona electrode of this kind it has been found that the electrode tends to produce a much higher corona current per unit of length in the region of its centre, i.e. within the central region of the airflow path, than at its end regions. It would seem that this phenomenon is the result of a screening effect created by the fasteners securing the ends of the electrode, and by the wall of the airflow duct normally surrounding the electrode arrangement. In the case of low corona currents, a major part of the two end portions of the corona electrode may even be "extinguished". This phenomenon results in uneven distribution of the ion current over the whole cross-section of the airflow path and therewith in uneven flow velocity within said path. In those cases where the airflow passage is defined by duct walls, those parts of the path cross-section that are located axially opposite the two end parts of the corona electrode may even have an airflow which is counterdirectional to that desired. The phenomenon is particularly paramount in the case of airflow ducts which have a narrow, elongated rectangular or slit-like cross-section. It will be understood that this phenomenon greatly impairs the total air throughput of the arrangement. In an extreme case, the transportation of air through the duct may cease altogether.
The object
REFERENCES:
patent: 2279586 (1942-04-01), Bennett
patent: 2765975 (1956-10-01), Lindeblad
patent: 3374941 (1968-03-01), Okress
patent: 3699387 (1972-10-01), Edwards
patent: 4380720 (1983-04-01), Fleck
patent: 4812711 (1989-03-01), Torok et al.
Loreth Andrzej
Torok Vilmos
Astra-Vent AB
LaRoche Eugene R.
Shingleton Michael B.
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