US 8,710,456 B2 · Linear jet ionizer

Abstract

A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars may include at least one reference electrode. Third, disclosed bars may include a manifold for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud. Fourth, disclosed bars may include means for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) to thereby establish the ion cloud. In this way, disclosed ionizing bars may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A linear ionizing bar comprising:

at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud along the length thereof in response to the application of an ionizing voltage thereto, the ion cloud having a plasma region with an outer peripheral boundary;
means for receiving an ionizing voltage and for delivering the ionizing voltage to the linear ion emitter to thereby establish the ion cloud;
a reference electrode for presenting an electric field within the ion cloud in response to receipt of a non-ionizing voltage being applied to the reference electrode, the electric field inducing ions to leave the plasma region;
and
a manifold for receiving gas from a source and for delivering the gas past the linear ion emitter such that at least some of the gas flows tangent to the outer peripheral boundary of the plasma region but substantially none of the gas flows into the plasma region.

2 more elements

A method of directing a neutralizing ionized stream of gas toward a charged target object using an ionizing bar of the type having an axis-defining linear ionizing emitter and a reference electrode and plural orifices for delivering a flow of gas toward the charged target object, the method comprising:

applying an ionizing voltage to the linear ion emitter to thereby establish an ion cloud along the length thereof, the ion cloud having an outer peripheral boundary;
applying a non-ionizing voltage to the reference electrode to thereby present a non-ionizing electric field within the ion cloud, the non-ionizing electric field inducing ions to leave the ion cloud;
and
delivering the gas through the orifices and past the linear ion emitter and toward the charged target object such that at least some of the gas flows tangent to the outer peripheral boundary of the ion cloud but substantially none of the gas flows into the ion cloud to thereby direct a neutralizing ionized stream of gas toward the charged target object.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Linear jet ionizer

Life of this patent

Linear jet ionizer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25