Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid mover with field shaping feature at leading edge of collector electrodes

A method of operating electrohydrodynamic (EH D) fluid mover apparatus, the method comprising:

• energizing an elongate emitter electrode to motivate fluid flow, the elongate emitter electrode positioned upstream of a pair of collector electrodes in a channel at least partially defined by generally opposing surfaces that span at least a substantial portion of a longitudinal extent of the emitter electrode and that extend at least from the collector electrodes generally upstream thereof past the elongate emitter electrode;
• accumulating over a substantial portion of the generally opposing surfaces electrostatic charge conveyed from the emitter electrode;
• and
• shaping electric field proximate to leading edges of the respective collector electrode using at least a portion of the accumulated electrostatic charge.

A method of making an electronic device product that includes an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) air mover to motivate airflow therethrough, the method comprising:

• forming generally opposing surfaces of material suitable for accumulating, over a substantial portion thereof, electrostatic charge conveyed from an elongate emitter electrode;
• positioning the emitter electrode in a channel at least partially defined by the generally opposing surfaces, the generally opposing surfaces spanning least a substantial portion of a longitudinal extent of the emitter electrode and extending generally upstream thereof;
• and
• positioning a pair of collector electrodes, each spanning at least a substantial portion of a longitudinal extent of the emitter electrode and each having a leading edge relative to the fluid flow, the leading edges positioned downstream of the emitter electrode but each proximate to a respective one of the generally opposing surfaces,
• wherein the formed generally opposing surfaces each include a field shaping feature formed therein or thereon proximate to the leading edges of the respective collector electrode.