Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
063~
ION GENERATOR OR ELECTROSTATI~
ENVIRONME~TAL CONDITIONE~
Background of the Invention
In recent years, there has been an ever
increasing awareness and, along with it, a growing concern
about certain environmental conditions affecting man's
health and his feeling of well being. This includes the
- threat of man made pollution as well as the effects of such
natural phenomena as sun spot activity and certain well
known winds on man.
The so called Great Winds of the Earth include,
among others, the Alphine Foehn, the Sirocco, the Simoon,
the Khamsin and the Marmatan of Africa, the Mistral of
Provence, the Boras of the Adriatic, the Karaburan of the
Gobi and the Chinook and Santa Ana of North America. These
winds are dreaded by the local inhabitants not so much for
their physical des-tructive forces as for their demoralizing
effect on the psychological and physiological states of man.
Accounts and statistical data concerning the frequency of
these winds' related atmospheric disturbances and their
relationship to hospital admissions, suicides, crime rates,
etc. are overwhelmingly in support of this link between man
an~ environment.
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Predominance of positive air ions is believed to
be detrimental to health,while clinical evidence indicates
that negative ions are beneficial. T~e evidence in su~port
of this belief is overwhelmin~. Recent medical research has
shown that an overproduction of the biochemical Serotonin
in the blood causes biophysiological as well as psychological
disorders in animals and men alike. Similar effects have been
observed from exposure to a heavy concentration of positive
ions. III both cases relief has been achieved by the inhalation
of ne~ative ions.
The Great Winds of the Earth all have one thing in
common. They all denude the air of moisture and most importantly,
cause air ion imbalance. This, in turn, is believed to be the
; principal cause of the winds' detrimental effects on rnan.
Much has been written since the turn of the century
about the biological and psychological effects produced by
" positive and ;legative ion concentrations in the atmosphere.
As reported by the Journal of the Franklin Institute
in 1936 (Article by Lewis R. ~oller, Ph.D. entitled "Ionization
0 of the Atmosphere and its Biological Effects"), experiments
conducted by Caspari in 1902 indicated mountain sickness could
be ascribed to high values of ion content. The same article
reports that Sokoloff in 1903 correlated his rheumatism with
exceptionally high values of the ion content in the air which
he observed in the Caucasus. These observations and experiments
were followed by the work of Dessauer who conducted axtensive
studies of the effects of ion concentrations on bodily functions
such as blood pressure and respiration.
Dessauer found that positive ions increased blood
pressure and the rate of respiration,while negative ions
produced the opposite effects. Positive ions produced feelings
of fatigue, dizziness, headaches, roaring in the ears, nausea
and the like;while negative ions produced exhilaration and a
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general feeling of well being. Most striking, however, was
the discovery of the apparent therapeutic effects of ionized
air upon persons suffering from a group of diseases including
high blood pressure, rheumatism, gout, neuritis and neuralgia,
acute and chronic bronchitis, cardial and bronchial asthma and
heart and arterial diseases.
The October 1952 issue of the same journal carried
an article by Thomas L. Martin, Jr. (Climate Control through
Ionization) which reported ties between ionization levels and
psychiatric disorders. This article also reported that
negatively ionized air had been found to greatly inhibit the
growth of transplanted tumors in rats and mice.
These studies continue to the present day,as indicated
by still more recent articles on the subject including an IEEE
paper, "New Advances in Parapsychology", by James B. Beal for
the 1974 IEEE International Conven-tion and Exposition of March
26-29, 1974. Beal delves still further into the effects of
electrical phenomena including ionic conditions on the function-
ing of the human body.
By the 1960's, there was enough general acceptance
of the importance of these effects to have encouraged commercial
ventures involving the development and production of ion gen-
erating equipment. An article in the January 23, 1960 issue
of Business Week reported that equipment for negative ion
generation was being offered by Emerson Electric and Michael
Electric of New Haven, Connecticut. Philco started selling
its Ionitron as an added feature of its air conditioning
equipment to aid victims of hay fever and other allergies.
Emerson had introduced an ionization unit employing radio-
active tritium. Michael Electric incorporated an ionization
unit in its air purifier. Westinghouse, G.E. and Carrier were
well along in the development of ionization equipment. Some
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of these manufacturers employed ultraviolet lamps which released
electrons from aluminum foil.
While such interest continues to the present time,
the widespread use of such devices has not yet been realized,
perhaps because the generating e~uipment heretofore available
has been either too expensive or too prone to constitute a
safety hazard in some aspect of its use. The beneficial results
claimed in the references are undoubtedly a result of the
improved environment through negative ionization. The purpose
of this invention is directed to improving indoor environmental
living conditions and not its therapeutic effect, if any.
A number of methods have been proposed in the litera-
ture for the production of ions. Dessauer gave the following
~ list:
`~` X-rays;
, Ultra-violet;
High voltage brush discharge between needle points;
High frequency;
Flames;
~0 Incandescent alkalis and metals.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the invention claimed an improved
ion generator is provided for use as a source of negative
ions in the home, the ions being produced at specially shaped
negative electrodes and propelled into the atmosphere with
the help of a positive ring or plates.
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention
to provide an improved negative ion generator suitable for
commercial production and home use.
Another object of this invention i5 to provide such
an ion generator in a form which produces no significant amounts
of deleterious or toxic by-products such as ozone or the oxides
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of nitrogen, cyanogen or ammonia.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a gen-
erator which produces no significant level of ultraviolet light which can
be harmful to the eyes.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such
an ion generator which conveniently utilizes a readily available 60 hz.
power source for its operation.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such
an ion generator which creates without the use of a fan or other moving
parts an air draft for the delivery of the generated ions to the sur-
rounding atmosphere.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such
an ion generator which requires a minimum of routine maintenance.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such
an ion generator in a form which is inexpensive in terms of initial and
operating costs and has a long operating life.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide such an
ion generator which is adequately shielded and protested to prevent
accidental injury to the user.
~0 Thus, in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention,
there is provided an apparatus for generating negative ions for pro-
pulsion into the atmosphere of a controlled environment comprising: an
ion gun, said gun comprising an open ended hollow elongated tubular shell
flared outwardly at its exhaust end, a negative electrode positioned to
extend across at least a part of said shell at a given distance from the
opposite end of said shell, said negative electrode comprising a plurali-ty
of spaced protrusions extending from a plate mounted transversely of the
hollow interior of said shell longitudinally of and toward said flared
end of said shell, said protrusions comprising conically shaped configur-
ations having rounded apexes to reduce ozone generation mounted with their
basis on said plate and their apex ends extending toward the flared end of
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said shell, a positive ring shaped anode arranged around at least a part of
the periphery of said shell at a second greater distance from said oppos
ite end of said shell, a metallic screen mounted across said flared end
of said shell, a d-c source of electrical potential connec~ed to said
shell for charging said negative electrode and said positive anode suffi-
ciently to generate negative ions at said negative electrode and to pro-
duce sufficient kinetic energy to expel the negative ions past said
positive anode and out of said flared end of said shell, and an air filter
mounted transversely of the hollow interior of said shell between said
opposite end of said shell and said negative electrode.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of
novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with parti-
cularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The present invention may be more readily described by refer-
ence to the accompanying drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional view and schematic of a first embodi-
ment of the invention;
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~; Fig. 2 is a second sectional view of the ion
generator taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l;
,~ Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the negative
electrode array utilized in the ion generator of Figs. 1
and 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment
of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an ion generator
incorporating the features of the invention in a structure
suitable for home use;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the modification
of the negative electrode structure shown in Figs. 1~3;
~; Fig. 7 is a plan view of -the pointed protrusions
of the negative electrode structure shown in Figs. 1-3;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a structure
similar to that shown in Fig. 6 illustrating the negative ion
flow;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a further modification
of the negative electrode pointed protrusions shown in Figs.
6-8 wrapped around a cylindrical conductor; and
~ Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a still further
modification of the negative electrode pointed protrusions shown
in Figs. 6-9 wrapped around a conductor having a rectangularly
shaped configuration.
Description of the _referre~d Embodime t
Referring more particularly to the drawing by
characters of reference, Figs. 1~3 disclose an improved ion
generator 10 comprising an ion gun 11 connected to a three-
terminal d-c source 12.
The gun 11 cornprises a tubular shell 13, a negative
` 30 electrode 14, a positive ring or anode 15, a conductive grounding
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screen 16 and an air filter 17. The shell 13 in the embodiment
of Figs. 1-3 is made of an electrically insulating material and
is cylindrical over its length except at its exhaust end where
it terminates in a conically flared opening 18. The screen 16
covers opening 18 and the filter 17 covers the opposite end 21.
The negative electrode 14 is located just inside shell 13 near
end 21 and anode 15 is located near the longitudinal center o~
shell 13.
The d-c source 12 has two input terminals 22 and 23
and three output terminals including a positive output terminal
24, a negative output terminal 25 and a ground terminal 26.
Input terminals 22 and 23 are connected to an alternating current
source 27, positive output terminal 24 is connected to anode 15,
negative output terminal 25 is connected to negative electrode
14, and the ground terminal 26 is connected to screen 16 whicll,
in turn, is connected to an electrical safety ground 28. The
nature of the d-c source 12 is not critical to the proper func-
tioning of the invention. Its output may be filtered and sub-
stantially ripple-free or it may produce an unfiltered, pulsating
d-c voltage. It may comprise a simple step-up transformer and
rectifier operating at line frequency or a high-frequency
converter.
Various shapes or configurations may be utilized
for the negative electrode 14. In the preferred embodiment as
shOwn in Figs. 1-3, the negative electrode 14 comprises an array
of cone-shaped protrusions 29 projecting from a rectangular
plate 31. While three protrusions 29 are shown in Figs. 1-3,
the number is not critical. The conical shape of the protrusions
is also not essential to the proper functioning of the device
since the general shape of the protrusion could be pyramidal or
even wedge-shaped.
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In all such variations, however, one important
characteristic or criterion is essential, i. e. the tip or
apex 32 must be rounded rather than sharp. A sharp point
has been found to produce objectionably high levels of o~one
and other undesirable by-products along wi~h ~he negative ions.
When a rounded tip or apex 32 is employed, the relative amount
of the unwanted by-products is reduced to insignificant levels.
The cylindrical forms of anode 15 and shell 11 are
also not essential. Fig. 4 illustrates that a rectangular
shell 33 may be employed with the anode comprising a pair of
parallel flat plates 34 and 35 positioned opposite each other
adjacent the opposite walls of the rectangular shell 33.
In the operation of the ion generator 10, the d-c
source 12 produces at terminal 24 and at anode 15 a high positive
potential relative to ground terminal 26;and it produces at
terminal 25 and at negative electrode 14 an equally high negative
potential relative to ground terminal 26. When the total
potential difference between anode 15 and negative electrode
14 is in the neighborhood of four thousand to five thousand
volts, a significant level of negative ion generation occurs at
the apex 32 of each of the protrusions 29. The positive
potential of anode 15 produces an electrostatic field inside
shell 13 which causes the generated ions 36 to be accelerated in
the direction of the anode. ~inetic energy carries the negative
ions past the anode through end 18 and through screen 16 to
the outside atmosphere. In the practical implementation of
~ the invention, the effect is so pronounced that an air draft can
; be felt at the end 1~, the draft being produced hy the flow
of ionized air delivered by gun 11. This natural draft produced
by the action of the electrostatic field on the ionized air
obviates the need for a fan or other mechanical device. Air
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entering gun 11 at end 21 passes through air-filter 17 so that
dust particles are retained and prevented from contaminatin~
the interior of the gun. Screen 16 constitutes a safety shield
` protectiny the user against contact with t~le hazardous voltages
present at electrode 14 and anode 15. In addition, screen 16
collects any small a~ounts of ozone which might be generated
by gun 11.
Fig. 5 illustrates a version of the ion generator 10
mounted in a cablnet designed for appearance and convenience of
use in the home. Cabinet 37 is in the form of a rectangular
box equipped with a carrying handle 38 and feet 39. The ground-
ing screen 16 is mounted in one end and the air filter 17 fits
into a slot in the other end. The circular opening 18 is visible
through screen 16. An electric cord 41 and plug 42 are provided
for connection to an alternating current source.
Figs. 6 and 7 disclose a further modification of the
negative electrode structure for use in an ion gun of the type
shown in Fig. 1 wherein a flat plate 42 is serrated, slotted
or grooved along its sides to provide pointed protrusions
43 and 44 which may be of different lengths. ~his plate is
then bent over into a U-shaped configuration as shown in Fig. 6
and fastened to a rectangular plate 31' by means of screws or
bolts 48 extending through a plurality of spaced apertures 45
formed in plate 42.
This electrode configuration, as shown in Fig. 6,
is then fastened inside of the ion gun 10 in the same manner
as negative electrode 14 of Fig. 1 with the pointed protrusions
43 and 44 of the legs of the U-shaped configuration extending
toward the positive energized plates 15.
Fig. 8 illustrates the negative ions 36 flowing from
the negative electrode structure 42 toward the open end of the
ion gun.
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Fig. 9 illustrates that the cylindrical electrode
46 connected to the negative output terminal 25 may be ~astened
inside of the curved or U-shaped form of plate 42 in place of
the outside arrangement of plates 12 and 31', as shown in Figs.
1 and 6.
Fig. 10 illustrates a further modificalion of the
negative electrode structure shown in Fig. 9 wherein the plate
42 is ben~ into a U-shaped configuration around an electrode
47 having a square or rectangular cross-sectional configuration.
A practical and effective ion generator is thus
provided in accoxdance with the stated objects of the invention;
and although but a single embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent to th~se skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or
from the scope of the appended claims.
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