Charged particle neutralizing apparatus and method of neutralizing charged particles
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsDavid Y. H. Pui, Da-Ren Chen
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Abstract
A method for use in neutralizing a charged discharge includes providing a neutralizer housing having a longitudinal axis extending between an inlet and an outlet thereof. A charged discharge is introduced into the inlet of the neutralizer housing for flow parallel to the inlet of the longitudinal axis from the inlet to the outlet. An alternating electric field is created within the housing parallel to the longitudinal axis for directing bursts of negatively charged ions and positively charged ions alternately towards the inlet for use in neutralizing the charged discharge. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also described.
Claims8
A method for use in neutralizing a charged discharge, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a neutralizer housing having a longitudinal axis extending between an inlet and an outlet of the neutralizer housing;
- introducing a charged discharge into the inlet of the neutralizer housing for flow parallel to the inlet of the longitudinal axis from the inlet to the outlet;
- and
- creating an alternating electric field within the housing parallel to the longitudinal axis for directing bursts of negatively charged ions and positively charged ions alternately towards the inlet for use in neutralizing the charged discharge.
A neutralizing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongated neutralizer housing having a longitudinal axis extending between an inlet and an outlet defined therein, the inlet for receiving the charged discharge;
- and
- an electrode configuration operable to create an alternating uniform electric field within the neutralizer housing parallel to the longitudinal axis for directing bursts of negatively charged ions and positively charged ions alternately towards the inlet for use in neutralizing the charged discharge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.