"Method and Apparatus for Producing Ions"
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Preliminary Patent Application
August 15, 1978
Copyrighted © by The Townsend Brown family. All rights reserved.
Description:
The applicant's prior patents Nos. 2,949,550 and 3,518,462
describe method and means for producing a flow of air without moving parts.
They may be termed "motorless" fans which are "noiseless." This is highly
desirable where a circulation of air in a room is desired.
Ion generators (for the production of negative ions alleged
to be beneficial to health) do not tend to circulate in the manner of an
air flow but migrate outward from the generator largely in the form of a
localized ion "cloud." Hence, ion generators in the existing art are
seriously limited as to their effective range.
The purpose of the present invention is to combine air
circulation with ion emission so as to improve range. To accomplish
this, the present patent application proposes the addition of an
electrostatically charged grid (ionizing electrode) to the motorless
fan (as described above) to inject ions into the (effluent) air stream.
The present invention, therefore, is an extension of the
aforementioned patents in combination with a (downstream) ion-emitting
grid. As such it performs a new and useful function - that of emitting
ions into a rapidly-moving airstream.
Two forms of air movers may be employed in the present
invention. Both are described in the referenced patents, i.e., the diode
(2 electrodes) No. 2,949,550 and the triode (3 electrodes) No. 3,518,462.
The present invention consists in applying an emitter electrode (preferably
but not limited to negative ions) downstream in the airflow.
The added electrode comprises a grid of fine wires, either in
the form of parallel wires (approx. 1/2" apart) or an open mesh of fine
wires. Tungsten wires are preferred but other materials such as platinum
or even stainless steel may be used. The grid is insulated from its
surroundings (points of support) and charged to a high dc potential
(preferably but not necessarily negative). A high resistance is used to
limit the current to the grid (for safety reasons).
Claims: (to be professionally worded)
1. The combination of the structure set forth in '550 with a
third electrode to add ions in the (effluent) airstream.
2. As above, but in combination with '462.
3. Means to charge said electrode.
4. Application of a current limiting resistor for eliminating
shock hazard.
Please be advised that this document is copyrighted © by The Townsend Brown family. All rights reserved.
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