Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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AIR QUALITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The invention
relates generally to a method of increasing air quality. More
particularly, the invention relates to a system for increasing air quality
utilizing electrostatic
particle ionization.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has been
found that animals that are maintained in a building where the air has
high airborne particulate or aerosol concentrations are less productive. By
less productive, it is
meant that the animals gain weight at a rate that is slower than the rate at
which animals that are
maintained in a building that does not have a high airborne particulate or
aerosol concentration.
[0003] Additionally,
animals that are maintained in a building where the air has a high
airborne particulate or aerosol concentration have a higher mortality rate
than similar animals
that are maintained in a building that does not have a high airborne
particulate or aerosol
concentration.
[0004] Airborne
pathogens are a significant issue in commercial pig facilities. Most of
these pathogens are attracted to an airborne particle or aerosol and travel
through the air.
Collectively these diseases cause tremendous reductions in productivity. When
airborne
particles or aerosols are removed from the air, many pathogens are removed
from the air as well.
Cleaner air results in fewer challenges to the animals' respiratory and immune
response systems.
[0005] The porcine
reproductive and respiratory system virus (PRRSv), for example, has
an affinity for macrophages found in the lungs of pigs. In contrast to the
typical functions of
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macrophages to ingest and remove invading bacteria and viruses, the porcine
reproductive and
respiratory syndrome virus multiplies within the macrophages until the
concentration of the
viruses is sufficiently large that the virus kills the macrophages.
[0006] The destruction
of the macrophages in the animal leaves the animal vulnerable to
attack by bacteria and other viruses, which can decrease the animal's growth
rate and potentially
lead to the death of the animal. The extent of such effects is impacted by the
overall health of
the animal and the other animals in the herd.
[0007] In addition to
the preceding symptoms of porcine reproductive and respiratory
syndrome, piglets that are born to sows that have this virus have decreased
birth weight and are
less viable than piglets born to sows that do not have this virus.
[0008] A common way for
the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus to be
transmitted is through the air. A technique that has previously been used to
trap this virus is to
pass air in the building in which the pigs are raised through a fine filter.
There are challenges
associated with using the using filter systems to trap viruses.
[0009] The air
circulation system needs to move a large volume of air to provide
continuous fresh air for the animals. Dust and other air contaminants are
trapped in these costly
filter systems. There are significant expenses associated with the filters
that are capable of
trapping significant percentages of the viruses.
[0010] Poultry
production includes two major categories - meat production and egg
production. Currently, most poultry produced in North America is grown under
close control on
highly specialized farms. The evolution from small flocks to large commercial
units after World
War II was facilitated by advances in the knowledge of nutrition, breeding,
housing, disease
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control, processing of poultry and eggs, and by improvements in transportation
and refrigeration
that made possible distant marketing of fresh products.
[0011] Poultry
produced for meat production is commonly referred to as broilers. During
the last few decades, broiler production has greatly increased as a result of
Americans becoming
more health conscious, as poultry is viewed by certain persons as healthier
than other meats that
are typically consumed by humans. The increased broiler production also
resulted from the
increased demand for export of poultry products to other countries.
[0012] The facilities
that are typically used in conjunction with commercial poultry
production each contain a relatively large number of birds. For example, each
poultry
production facility may house more than 20,000 birds.
[0013] The poultry
production facilities confine the birds to protect them from predators
and environmental extremes that would cause mortality or reduce growth, feed
efficiency,
immunocompetenee, fertility or egg production. The poultry production
facilities thereby
facilitate efficiently managing a large volume of birds.
[0014] While the
poultry production facilities enable a large volume of birds to be
simultaneously raised, the large volume of birds generate waste materials that
must be dealt with.
One such waste material is airborne dust and biological particles.
[0015] Electrostatic
precipitation of dust has been historically used to control emission
from industrial smokestacks. This technique has also been used to remove dust
from the air
inside a living space.
[0016] When using
electrostatic precipitation, ions are placed into the air space that is to
be treated to polarize any particles in the air. Thereafter, the polarized
particles are removed
from the air by attraction to a grounded collection plate.
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[0017] Over time, a progressively thick layer of particles collect on the
collection plate.
This progressively thicker layer of particles reduces the efficiency of the
electrostatic
precipitation system because the layer of particles insulates the collection
plate from the
polarized airborne particles. To enhance the efficiency of the electrostatic
precipitation system,
it is necessary to periodically clean the collection plates to dislodge the
accumulated particles.
[0018] Disadvantages of these types of electrostatic precipitation systems
are that only a
limited airspace may be treated by one collection plate. The cost and size of
multiple collection
plate systems reduces the feasibility of using electrostatic particle
ionization in very dusty and
larger air spaces.
[0019] Mitchell et al., US Patent No. 6,126,722, uses corona points to
discharge negative
ions into a large air space that is being treated. This system relies on
grounded surfaces inside
and confining the air space to attract and hold the ionized particles.
[0020] While this system is effective at economically treating a large,
dusty air space to
reduce dust in the air, the polarized particles accumulate on the grounded
surfaces and cause the
grounded surfaces to become progressively more insulated. This process
decreases the
efficiency of this system.
[0021] Even though manual and/or mechanical cleaning will maintain the
desired
ionization level, the cost and limited ability to manually or mechanically
clean grounded surfaces
makes such a system a less than optimal result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] An embodiment of the invention is directed to an air quality
enhancement system
that includes an enclosure and an electrostatic particle ionization system. A
plurality of objects
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is located in the enclosure. The enclosure has an interior height that is
greater than a height of
the objects. The plurality of objects emits particles that become airborne.
[0023] The electrostatic particle ionization system includes at least one
corona point and
a corona point mounting mechanism that operably mounts the at least one corona
point within
the enclosure for movement between an extended position and a retracted. When
in the extended
position, the at least one corona point is closer to the plurality of objects
than the enclosure.
When in the retracted position, the at least one corona point is closer to the
enclosure than the
plurality of objects.
[0024] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of
enhancing air
quality. A plurality of objects is provided in an enclosure. The enclosure has
a height that is
greater than a height of the objects.
[0025] Particles are emitted from the objects. At least a portion of the
emitted particles
remain airborne in the enclosure. At least one corona point is mounted in the
enclosure using a
corona point mounting mechanism.
[0026] The at least one corona point is positioned in an extended position
where the at
least one corona point is closer to the plurality of objects than the
enclosure. Electrical current is
supplied to the at least one corona point to cause electrons to be discharged
therefrom. The
electrons associate with the airborne particles to form charged particles.
[0027] Charged particles accumulate on the plurality of objects.
Electrical current is
discontinued to the at least one corona point. The at least one corona point
is moved to a
retracted position where the at least one corona point is closer to the
enclosure than the plurality
of objects.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00281 The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of
embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification. The drawings
illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain
principles of
embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of
embodiments will be
readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the
following detailed
description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale
relative to each other.
Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
[0029] Fig. I is a side view of an electrostatic particle ionization system
according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0030] Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a corona point assembly for use in
conjunction with the
electrostatic particle ionization system of Fig. 1.
[0031] Fig. 3 is a side view of a corona point assembly of Fig. 2.
[00321 Fig. 4 is a side view of a corona point for use in conjunction with
the corona point
assembly of Fig. 2.
[0033] Fig. 5 is a side view of a mounting mechanism for use with the
electrostatic
particle ionization system of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] An embodiment of the invention is directed to an electrostatic
particle ionization
system that causes electrons to be discharged from corona points. These
electrons may react
with whatever components are in the air proximate to where the electrons are
being discharged.
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[0035] The
presence of a multitude of negative ions around the perimeter of a particle
attracts all of the positive ions on a particle. When this process occurs, the
panicles become
polarized. These polarized particles are attracted to each other and to
grounded surfaces.
[0036] This
process thereby removes the airborne particles from the air and prevents
inhalation into the respiratory tract where infection can occur. When
infection happens, diseases
may be spread, health problems may be triggered and the immune systems of the
persons,
animals or birds who inhale these materials may be weakened. At the very
least, food energy is
diverted from growth to the immune system.
[0037] The air
quality is enhanced because the electrostatic particle ionization system
reduces levels of particles, dust, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in the air.
The negative ions
may interfere with the cellular functions of microbes and inactivate them.
This disruption may
prevent the microbe from reproducing and thereby infecting the birds or the
persons working in
the poultry production facility.
[0038] For
example, when the electrons encounter oxygen molecules in the air, the
electrons react with oxygen and nitrogen molecules to cause the super anion
(0j) to be formed,
also known as super oxide. Super oxide is very reactive. As such, the super
oxide readily reacts
with other items in the air. Examples of such other items include
particulates, pathogens and
volatile organic compounds.
[0039] The super
oxide may also inactivate bacteria. For example, when the electrostatic
particle ionization system is used in a building in which turkeys are raised,
the super oxide may
kill salmonella that is present on the surface of the eggs.
[0040] The ions
generated by the electrostatic particle ionization system may disrupt
bacteria growth. By disrupting the bacterial growth, the bacteria are less
likely to grow to a
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concentration such that the bacteria is ingested and/or inhaled by the
animals. Such ingestion
and inhalation could negatively impact the health of the animals.
[00411 As the animal
health is negatively impacted, the rate at which the animal grows is
reduced. The electrostatic particle ionization system thereby increases the
productivity of the
facility at which the animals are being raised by allowing more of the genetic
potential of the
animal to be realized.
[0042] A few factors by
which the increase in the animal production productivity may be
measured are the efficiency of feed conversion and the total body mass of the
animals produced
within a particular period of time. Even a relatively low increase of in the
range of 3-4 percent
can provide the financial justification to warrant installation of the system
for enhancing air
quality discussed herein.
[0043] The air quality
enhancement system provides these results without the need for
additional ventilation in the agricultural buildings. Not using this
additional ventilation is
desirable especially in regions where the ambient temperature is too low or
too high for optimal
growth of the animals because the air removed from the building with the
ventilation system
must be replaced with heated or cooled air, which can represent a significant
additional cost in
operating the agricultural facility.
[0044] Another benefit
of the air quality enhancement system is the improved air quality
for persons who are working in the agricultural buildings that heretofore have
experienced high
airborne particulate levels.
[0045] An embodiment of
the invention is directed to an electrostatic particle ionization
system as illustrated at 110 in Fig. 1. The electrostatic particle ionization
system 110 includes a
corona point assembly 112 and a corona point mounting system 114.
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[0046] The corona
point assembly 112 includes a plurality of corona points 120 that are
mounted to a corona support 122 in a spaced-apart configuration, as
illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.
The corona points 120 are fabricated from a conductive material. An example of
one such
conductive material that may be used to fabricate the corona points 120 is a
stainless steel rod.
In certain embodiments, the stainless steel rod has a diameter of about 16
gauge.
[0047] The corona
points 120 may be formed in a V-shape that includes two legs 123, as
illustrated in Fig. 4. An angle a between the legs may be between about 70
degrees and about
150 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle between the corona point legs 123
is between
about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees.
[0048] A length of
each leg 123 of the corona point 120 may be between about 1/2 of an
inch and about 5 inches. In certain embodiments, the legs 123 have a length of
about 11/4 inches.
Both of the legs 123 on each of corona point 120 may have a length that is
approximately equal.
[0049] Distal ends
of each leg on the corona point 120 may be tapered to a point as
illustrated in Fig. 4. In certain embodiments, the distal ends are oriented at
an angle of greater
than about 120 degrees. The angled orientation of the distal end of the corona
point leg may play
a role in the ionization performance of the electrostatic particle ionization
system.
[0050] In certain
embodiments, the corona points 120 are mounted at a spacing of
between about 1 and 6 inches. In other embodiments, the corona points 120 are
mounted at a
spacing of approximately 2.275 inches. A spacing between the corona points 120
and the end of
the spine may be about 1/2 of the distance between the corona points.
[0051] The corona
support 122, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, may be formed from a
substantially rigid material. In certain embodiments, the corona support 122
is fabricated from a
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metallic material that exhibits a high level of conductivity. An example of
one suitable metallic
material that may be used for the corona support 122 is stainless steel.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the corona support 122 may be fabricated
from a
generally cylindrical tube. An advantage of using a generally cylindrical tube
as opposed to
other shapes is that the generally cylindrical tubes are commercially
available in a variety of
diameters. It is possible to utilize other configurations for the corona
support 122. Non-limiting
examples of such alternative configurations include square, rectangular, oval,
1-shaped and L-
shaped.
[0053] The greater the strength of the corona support, the fewer support
cables that need
to be used with the corona support 122. A person of skill in the art will
appreciate that a variety
of factors may affect the strength of the corona support 122. An example of
two such factors is
the diameter of the corona support 122 and the thickness of the wall of the
corona support 122.
[0054] In certain embodiments, the corona support 122 has a diameter of
between about
'A of an inch and about 3 inches. In other embodiments, the corona support has
a diameter of
between about 3/4 of an inch and about 1 inch.
10055] To facilitate adapting the electrostatic particle ionization system
110 for use in
buildings having a variety of dimensions, the corona support 122 may be
fabricated in a modular
configuration. The modular configuration enables several of the sections to be
attached together
to form a corona support 122 having a desired length.
[0056] The corona point sections 122a may have a length that facilitates
readily shipping
of the corona point sections 122a without the need for special shipping
vehicles. In certain
embodiments, the corona point sections 122a may have a length of between about
5 feet and
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about 25 feet. In other embodiments, the corona point sections 122a may have a
length of about
8 feet.
[0057] To facilitate attachment of the corona point sections 122a to each
other, one end
of each corona point section 122a may have a reduced diameter portion 130 such
that an outer
diameter of the reduced diameter portion 130 is slightly smaller than an inner
diameter of the
other portions of the corona point section 122a.
[0058] The difference in such diameters should be sufficiently small such
that the
reduced diameter portion 130 may be readily inserted into a non-reduced
diameter end on
another corona pipe section 122a. However, the difference between such
diameters should be
sufficiently small to reduce the potential of the corona pipe sections 122a
disconnecting during
the assembly process.
[0059] In addition to facilitating the assembly process, the reduced
diameter portions 130
also enhance the ability to form the corona support 122 in a generally linear
configuration. In
certain embodiments, the reduced diameter region has a length of between about
1 inch and
about 6 inches.
[0060] To reduce the potential of the corona pipe sections 122a
disconnecting from each
other during the use of the electrostatic particle ionization system 110, a
fastening device 132
may be used to engage the adjacent corona pipe sections 122a.
[0061] An example of one suitable fastening device 132 is a screw. To
avoid the need to
predrill the corona pipe sections 122a, the screw may be a self-tapping screw.
Depending on
factors such as the diameter of the corona pipe sections 122a, more than one
fastening device
132 may be used at each joint. In certain embodiments, there are two fastening
devices 132 used
at each joint between the corona pipe sections 122a.
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[0062] Each of the
corona pipe sections 122a may include an alignment guide 140 that
facilitates accurate alignment of the corona points 120 on each of the corona
pipe sections 122a
so that after assembly, the corona points 120 are all directed in
substantially the same direction.
In certain embodiments, the alignment guide 140 is a line that is provided on
a surface of each of
the corona pipe sections 122a.
[0063] In other
embodiments, the alignment guide 140 is a seam on the corona pipe
section 122a that is a result of the process used to manufacture the corona
pipe sections 122a.
For example, when the corona pipe sections 122a are fabricated from stainless
steel, the stainless
steel is initially in a flat configuration and is then bent into a cylindrical
configuration and the
opposite ends are joined together to form the generally cylindrical pipe.
[0064] A variety of
techniques may be used to associate the corona points 120 with the
corona support 122. Such techniques may be selected to minimize the potential
of the corona
points being damaged during manufacturing, distribution, installation and use
of the electrostatic
particle ionization system 110.
[0065] The techniques
may also facilitate transfer of the electric current from the corona
support 122 to the corona points 120. However, because of the high voltage of
the electric
current that is typically used with the electrostatic particle ionization
system 110, the electric
current may jump even small distances between the corona support 122 and the
corona points
120.
[0066] An example of
one suitable technique for associating the corona points 120 with
the corona support 122 is welding. In certain embodiments, the corona points
are placed in a jig
or other support prior to welding. This jig may not only retain the corona
points 120 in a desired
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position with respect to the corona support 122 but also in a desired
orientation with respect to
the corona support 122.
[0067] The corona point mounting system 114, illustrated in Fig. 1, may
function to
move the corona point assembly 112 from a use location where the corona points
120 are located
proximate the objects from which the particles or pathogens are emitted to a
retracted position
where the corona points 120 and the other components of the electrostatic
particle ionization
system 110 are at a height so that it is unlikely that such components will he
damaged by contact
with persons or equipment that are used proximate to where the electrostatic
particle ionization
system 110 is located.
[0068] In certain embodiments, the corona point mounting system 114
includes at least
one support rope 150 that extends from a ceiling or other elevated portion of
a building in which
the electrostatic particle ionization system 110 is installed or a support
structure if the
electrostatic particle ionization system 110 is not used within a building.
[0069] Because the components of the corona point assembly 112 may be
formed with a
relatively light weight, the support rope 150 does not have to have a large
strength. A person of
skill in the art will appreciate that if the corona point assembly 112 has
sufficient rigidity, it is
possible to use fewer yet stronger support ropes 150. In such situations, the
support ropes 150
may be formed from metallic or non-metallic materials.
[0070] The support rope 150 may be attached to the corona insulator 160
using a
mounting mechanism 161, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Such an insulator 160 may
prevent electric
current from passing from the corona support 122 to the support rope 150. The
insulator 160
may be selected based upon factors such as the electric voltage that is used
in conjunction with
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the electrostatic particle ionization system 110. In certain embodiments, the
mounting
mechanism 161 opening may resemble a hook rather than a closed loop.
[0071] The
mounting mechanism 161 is attached to at least one insulator disk 162. In a
certain embodiment six insulator disks 162 may be used. In certain
embodiments, insulator discs
are spaced one-half inch apart from each other, but may vary between one
quarter inch and one
and one half inches apart.
[0072] A
corona support 122 may be attached to an insulator disc 162 using a mounting
mechanism 163 which has a recess 164 that has an opening 166 with a width that
is greater than
the diameter of the corona support 122. In certain embodiments, the opening
166 may be at least
partially upwardly directed.
[0073] Using
such a configuration enables the corona support 122 to be readily attached
to or detached from the mounting mechanism 163 without the use of tools while
at the same time
minimizing the potential of the corona support 122 inadvertently detaching
from the mounting
mechanism 163.
[0074] In
certain embodiments the opening 166 may have a flexible closure arm 167. In
certain embodiments the closure arm 167 will have a pin-and-pocket snap-in
mechanism 168.
This embodiment will prevent inadvertently detaching the corona support 122
from the mounting
mechanism 163.
[0075]
Depending on the height of the building in which the electrostatic particle
ionization system 110 is installed, the corona point mounting system 114 may
also include a
pivoting mechanism 151, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The pivoting mechanism 151
causes the corona
points 120 to rotate from a downwardly direct configuration when in use to an
upward and/or
sideward direction when retracted.
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[0076] The pivoting
mechanism 151 may include may include a first arm section 152 and
a second arm section 153. In certain embodiments, the first arm section 152
and the second arm
section 153 are pivotally mounted to each other. The second arm 153 is bent so
that it extends
outward from the vertical plane of pivot and is suspended over the vertical
plane of the corona
point assembly 112.
[0077] A length of the
first arm section 152 may be less than a length of a second arm
section 153. In certain embodiments, the first arm section 152 is at least 3
times as long as the
second arm section 166.
[0078] The first arm
section 153 may be attached to a ceiling 155 or other overhead
structure in building in which the electrostatic particle ionization system
110 is installed. The
first arm section 152 may extend generally downward from the ceiling 155.
[0079] The second arm
section 153 is attached to an end of the first arm section 152 that
is opposite the ceiling 155. The second arm section 153 is movable with
respect to the first arm
section 152. In certain embodiments, the second arm section 153 is pivotally
mounted to the first
arm section 152. The first arm section 152 and second arm section 153 pivot
four inches from
the ceiling 155 to which the first arm section 152 is attached. In some
embodiments this pivot
distance can be between three and twelve inches.
[0080] An end of the
second arm section 153 that is opposite the first arm section 152
includes a receptacle 157 that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the
corona point assembly
112 when the corona point assembly 112 is being moved to the retracted
position.
[0081] The receptacle
157 may retain the corona point assembly 112 in a substantially
stationary position with respect to the second arm section 153 such that as
the second arm section
153 pivots with respect to the fast arm section 152, the corona point assembly
112 also pivots.
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[0082] In certain
embodiments, the receptacle 157 has two arms 158 that are mounted in
a spaced-apart configuration such that a recess 159 is defmed therebetween.
The recess 159 may
have a size that is slightly bigger than the corona point assembly 112 such
that the corona point
assembly 112 is positionable between the arms 158 when in the retracted
position.
[0083] The support rope
150 may extend through one of the components in the second
arm section 153. Such a configuration of the support rope 150 causes the
corona point assembly
112 to be drawn into the receptacle 157 as the support rope 150 is being
retracted.
[0084] Once the corona
point assembly 112 has been drawn into the receptacle 157, the
continued retraction of the support rope 150 causes the second arm section 153
to pivot
upwardly. When the distal end of the second arm section 153 is proximate the
ceiling 155, the
retraction of the support rope 150 is stopped.
[0085] The electrostatic
particle ionization system 110 may include a switch (not shown)
that is engaged when the distal end of the second arm section 153 is proximate
the ceiling 155 to
cause the retraction of the support rope 150 to stop.
[0086] The pivoting
mechanism 151 reduces the potential of persons or equipment in the
building where the electrostatic particle ionization system 110 will be
injured or damaged
because the corona points 120 can be relatively sharp. The pivoting mechanism
151 also
minimize the potential of the corona point assembly 112 being not damaged by
persons or
equipment in the building in which the electrostatic particle ionization
system 110 is installed.
[0087] This
configuration is particularly important when the building in which the
electrostatic particle ionization system 110 is installed has a relatively low
ceiling. Such low
ceilings are relatively common in agricultural buildings where chickens,
turkeys and pigs are
raised to help manage airflow.
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[0088] The pivoting mechanism 151 also facilitates positioning the corona
point
assembly 112 proximate to where the particles are being generated when the
corona point
assembly 112 is in the extended position.
[0089] The corona point assembly 112 may be connected to a power supply if
the
electricity provided to the facility in which the electrostatic particle
ionization system 110 is
installed does not have does not have a desired characteristics such as
voltage.
[0090] In certain embodiments, the electrostatic particle ionization system
110 is
operated at a relatively high voltage. This voltage may be greater than about
10,000 volts. In
certain embodiments, the voltage is between about 20,000 volts and about
30,000 volts.
[0091] Operating the electrostatic particle ionization system 110 at such a
voltage may
pose challenges in controlling the flow of electricity to the corona point
assembly 112 because
conventional switches are not suitable for use with such high voltages. The
switches used to
control delivery of the electricity to the corona point assembly 112 should be
selected to reliably
operate under such conditions.
[0092] While an electrical current may be used in conjunction with the
concepts of the
invention, the electrical current may be provided with a high voltage and a
low amperage to
minimize potential of health hazards associated with electrical shock, in
certain embodiments,
the amperage used in this system may be on the order of milliamps.
[0093] The amperage of an electrostatic particle ionization system inside a
clean MOM air
space may vary based upon a variety of factors. An example of such factors
includes the length
of a corona point run. These factors are typically known at the outset of the
ionization period.
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[0094] Because of the relatively low electric current draw by the
electrostatic particle
ionization system 110, it may be possible for a single power supply to be used
in conjunction
with a relatively long length of the corona point assembly 112.
[0095] In certain embodiments, the corona point assembly 112 may have a
length of at
least about 800 feet. In other embodiments, the corona point assembly 112 has
a length of
between about 1,500 feet and about 2,000 feet.
[0096] Depending on the shape and size of the location in which the
electrostatic particle
ionization system 110 is installed, it may be possible for a single power
supply to be used in
conjunction with multiple rooms in a building or even multiple buildings.
[0097] in such situations, it may be undesirable to turn off power to the
entire
electrostatic particle ionization system 110 when it is desired to enter one
of the rooms in the
building or one of the buildings in which the electrostatic particle
ionization system 110 is
installed. In such situations, it may be desirable to have a switch associated
with each room or
each building in which the electrostatic particle ionization system 110 is
installed.
[0098] The electrostatic particle ionization system 110 may not include a
ground plane as
part of the system. Rather, at least one of the components in the building in
which the
electrostatic particle ionization system 110 is installed may function as a
ground plane.
[0099] Examples of objects located within the building that may function as
a ground
plane include the floor of the building, animals located in the building and
other structures
located in the building such as containment dividers.
[0100] Using one of the objects located in the building as a ground plane
minimizes
issues relating to collection of particles on a ground plane as effecting the
performance of the
electrostatic particle ionization system such as the increased height of the
particle layer on the
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ground plane decreasing the efficiency of the attraction to additional
particles to the ground
plane.
L0101] Another
advantage of using objects such as the floor of the building and animals
located in the building as a ground plane is that it can be difficult to
remove accumulated
particles on portions of the building such as the ceiling. Additionally,
accumulation of particles
on lights in the building may decrease the amount of light emitted from such
lights and such
decreased light intensity is typically undesirable.
[0102] Positioning
the corona points 120 proximate to the animals from which the
particles are generated as well as orienting the corona points 120 downwardly
towards the
animals minimizes the potential of particles accumulating portions of the
building such as the
ceiling or lights mounted within the building.
[0103] Ambient
humidity may affect the performance of the electrostatic particle
ionization system 110. In such situations, it may be advantageous to measure
the ambient
humidity and then based upon the measured ambient humidity, change the
operational
parameters of the electrostatic particle ionization system 110 such as
increasing or decreasing the
voltage and/or increase or decreasing a distance between the corona points 120
and the objects
from which the particles are emitted.
[0104] In the
preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard,
directional terminology,
such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading," "trailing," etc., is used
with reference to the
orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of
embodiments can be
positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology
is used for purposes
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of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be
utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the
present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be
taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended
claims.
[0105] It is
contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those
described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed
and matched to suit
particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be
apparent to those of
ordinary skill.
