Ion generator and method of generating ions
OwnerMacDonald Hawleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ion generator for use in a pool filtration system. The generator uses very thin electrodes placed close together. The electrodes are oriented perpendicular to the flow of a chloride salt/water solution. A baffle is provided immediately upstream of the electrodes to create a turbulent flow of jetted water over the electrodes. Periodically, DC polarity to the electrodes is reversed and an AC ripple is caused at the electrodes. The electrodes generate very active chlorine ions in solution which serve as a biocide, without creating harmful chlorine gases.
Claims20
A system for generating a halogen ion biocide, comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid inlet for the housing including a halide salt/water solution;
- a fluid outlet for the housing;
- a first electrode located between the inlet and outlet in the housing;
- a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and located in the housing;
- means for causing the salt/water solution to flow against the electrodes,
- wherein each first and second electrode has a first longitudinal axis and a second, relatively narrower transverse axis, and
- wherein the first longitudinal axis of each first and second electrode is oriented transverse to the flow of the salt/water solution and the second narrower axis of each first and second electrode is oriented parallel to the flow of salt/water;
- and
- a source for providing electric current to the first and second electrodes to cause electrolysis and the formation of halogen ions from the salt/water solution.
A method for generating halogen ions from a halide salt/water solution, comprising the steps of:
- forming a housing with an inlet including a halide salt/water solution and an outlet;
- forming a first electrode in the housing;
- forming a second electrode adjacent the first electrode in the housing;
- forming each first and second electrode to have a first longitudinal axis and a second, relatively narrower transverse axis;
- orienting the first longitudinal axis of each first and second electrode transverse to the flow of the salt/water solution;
- orienting the second narrower axis of each first and second electrode parallel to the flow of salt/water;
- providing electric current to the first and second electrodes;
- and
- causing the salt/water solution to flow against the electrodes;
- wherein the halogen ions are generated at the electrodes and enter the salt/water solution.
A system for generating a halogen ion biocide, comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid inlet for the housing including a halide salt/water solution;
- a fluid outlet for the housing;
- a first electrode located between the inlet and outlet in the housing;
- a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and located in the housing,
- wherein each first and second electrode has a first longitudinal axis and a second, relatively narrower transverse axis, and
- wherein the first longitudinal axis of each first and second electrode is oriented transverse to the flow of the salt/water solution and the second narrower axis of each first and second electrode is oriented parallel to the flow of salt/water;
- a baffle for creating jets of water directed over the electrodes;
- and
- a source for providing electric current to the first and second electrodes to cause electrolysis and the formation of halogen ions from the salt/water solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.