The Simco Company, Inc.

Mark Blitshteyn

William S Wright

Richard D Rodrigo

Richard D Snyder

Apparatus for measuring corona current in high voltage A.C. ionizers uses an electrical sensor adjacently spaced from at least one of the discharge electrodes and coupled to electronic circuitry for separating capacitive current from the corona current. In one mode, the capacitive current component is measured directly by a first sensor adjacently spaced from one discharge electrode whose corona current flow to such electrode is either obstructed or squelched entirely while a second sensor monitors total current. The signals from the two sensors are electrically subtracted when applied to opposing inputs of a differential amplifier to provide an output signal proportional to just corona current. In a second mode, a measure of corona current is again provided by electrically subtracting from a total current signal input to a differential amplifier a signal equal to the capacitive current component. However, while the total current signal in this case is again obtained by a single sensor adjacently spaced with respect to one electrode, the capacitive current signal is generated independently of a sensor through electronic circuitry coupled to the A.C. line voltage. In a third mode, a signal from a single sensor adjacently spaced from a single discharging electrode is applied to phase discriminator circuitry that passes only selected portions of the sensor-generated signal which contain equal positive and negative segments of the capacitive current component so that the average capacitive current signal thereof is equal to zero, whereby upon filtering the capacitive current signal will cancel out and leave remaining only that component proportional to corona current.

Corona current monitoring apparatus and circuitry for A.C. air ionizers

A balancing system for electrical A.C. air ionizers having at least one discharge electrode adjacently spaced from a proximity ground and connected to the high side of an A.C. high voltage power source includes (a) a capacitor interposed between each electrode and the high voltage source to maintain a bias on each of the electrodes by blocking the D.C. current component across the circuit capacitance between the discharge electrodes and ground, and (b) a by-pass resistor across the circuit capacitance for providing a path to ground to bleed off excess bias so that equal positive and negative ion densities are generated during corona flow, the by-pass resistor having a resistance value which is determined by the parameters of the system's corona characterisitics (including corona onset voltage and average current flow) that will provide a required equilibrium bias for producing the correct ratios of positive and negative ion currents as will balance the ion densities. Adjustable means are also provided for varying the by-pass resistance to compensate for changes in positive and negative ion flow that are caused by environmental factors and contamination.

Method and circuit for balance control of positive and negative ions

A method and apparatus for determining ion flow imbalance. High-magnitude positive and negative potential sources, each having a high-magnitude potential output terminal, are provided. Two electrodes are adapted for positioning adjacent the location of ions, the electrodes having areas for exposure to the ions. A supply of operating potential is provided for the high-magnitude potential sources. The operating potential supply is switched to supply operating potential alternately between the high-magnitude potential sources. Neutral terminals are provided on each of the high-magnitude potential sources and the current flows from the neutral terminals of the high-magnitude potential sources to reference potential are sensed to determine the current flows to the electrodes.

Apparatus for method to test efficiency of air ionizers and method for

In combination with electrical ionizing devices (A.C. static neutralizers or D.C. charging systems) in which discharge electrodes, such as emitter points, are connected to a high voltage power supply and in adjacently spaced disposition behind a grounded foraminous grille, wiper means, such as brushes, for cleaning accumulations of particulate material electrostatically adhered to the electrodes themselves. The brushes are preferrably mounted upon the grille and have bristles passing through slots therein to enable the operator before ionization is instituted to sweep the brushes from an out-of-the-way position relative to the emerging ion flow across the electrodes to effect the cleaning and then clear of said electrodes.

Built-in ionizing electrode cleaning apparatus

An instrument for non-contact measurement of electrostatic fields and related parameters, such as electrostatic potential, voltage and charge density of a charged object, includes a sensor for sensing the electrostatic field produced by the object and for producing an electrical signal, a display for producing a visual readout related to the electrical signal and a range scaling circuit for coupling the sensor to the display. The range scaling circuit is coupled to logic which switches the range scaling circuit and the display back and forth between two ranges, one for relatively higher strength field measurements and one for relatively lower strength field measurements. Because the distance at which the instrument is held from the charged object to achieve an accurate reading depends upon the strength of the field, the range scaling circuit is also coupled to circuitry which indicates the appropriate distance from the charged object at which the instrument must be held to provide an accurate measurement.

Non-contact autoranging electrostatic fieldmeter with automatic distance

Ionizing gas gun for ultra-clean static neutralization comprises a plastic nozzle enclosing positive and negative ion discharge electrodes and means for blowing a gas, such as air or nitrogen therethrough. A trigger actuates both the release of gas and application of positive and negative high voltage to the respective discharge electrodes, including delay circuitry for suspending discontinuance of the positive high voltage to its electrode for a momentary period subsequent to discontinuance of the negative high voltage when the gas is cut off in compensation of a slight preponderance of negative ion emission otherwise effected at cut-off. Venturi ports at the nozzle tip draw air over the discharge electrodes for admixing with higher mobility nitrogen ions when nitrogen rather than air is employed as the blowing medium. A changeable filter insures cleanliness, including monitoring means to indicate clogged or ruptured filter conditions or improper installation.

Ionizing gas gun for balanced static elimination

A panoramic electrostatic field sensor includes a central monitoring electrode for detecting an electrostatic field oriented about a 360.degree. arc peripheral thereto. An apertured housing is concentrically arranged about the monitoring electrode, the housing having circumferentially spaced windows through which the central electrode can 'see' any electrostatic field radially disposed with respect to the sensor. A cylindrical shielding cap is rotated in the annular space between the monitoring electrode and the housing, the cap incorporating at least one slot to expose the monitoring electrode periodically to any fields viewed through the housing windows. Electronic means for measuring the voltage in response to the field detected is adapted to activate a static neutralizer for emission of positive and negative ions into the field or to actuate a variety of peripheral indicating or triggering devices which provide signals, alarms or readout functions.

Growing community of inventors

Edison, NJ, United States of America

Mark Blitshteyn