Apparatus for conveying electrostatic charges, in particular for very high voltage electrostatic generators

In or for apparatus for conveying electrostatic charges within an ambient gas atmosphere, in particular for very high voltage electrostatic generators, of the type comprising :

• (a) a flat insulating belt (3) movable in a closed cycle between an earthed or low voltage zone (1M) and a very high voltage zone (1H), the zones being spaced apart from one another, sections of the belt moving towards or away from a respective zone;
• (b) means (2M) for depositing electric charges on the belt in the earthed zone;
• (c) means (2H) for extracting electric charges from the belt in the high voltage zone;
• and
• (d) two structures (6,8) respectively placed close to each belt section between the two zones for the purpose of controlling the electric field along the belt between the said zones,
• the improvement wherein each of these structures (6, 16, 26) extends continuously along a length of the respective belt section (5), each structure being of insulating or non-conductive material in the direction of movement of the belt, and wherein each structure comprises, on its side facing the belt, a flat surface (60, 160, 260) designed to produce a cushion (50) of ambient gas between itself and the belt.