Spark suppression ballast closely coupled to emitter electrode of ion generator

A method of making an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid mover, the method comprising:

• providing a structural frame defining an open volume with exposed dielectric surfaces and positional registrations to receive an elongate wire emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode, the structural frame further defining a cavity to receive a ballast circuit;
• introducing the ballast circuit into the cavity and positionally fixing the ballast circuit therein;
• stringing the elongate wire emitter electrode across the open volume and past respective ones of the positional registrations at or adjacent surfaces of the structural frame that define sidewalls of the open volume;
• and
• at a position beyond one of the sidewalls but within the cavity, electrically connecting and mechanically fixing the elongate wire emitter directly to a termination point on the ballast circuit.

An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid mover assembly comprising:

• a structural frame defining an open volume with exposed dielectric surfaces and positional registrations to receive an elongate wire emitter electrode and at least one collector electrode, the structural frame further defining a cavity to receive a ballast circuit;
• the ballast circuit positioned within the cavity;
• and
• the elongate wire emitter electrode strung across the open volume and past respective ones of the positional registrations at or adjacent surfaces of the structural frame that define sidewalls of the open volume and, at a position beyond one of the sidewalls but within the cavity, electrically connected and mechanically fixed directly to a termination point on the ballast circuit.