US3832554A - Generation of negative ions - Google Patents

Generation of negative ions Download PDF

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Publication number
US3832554A
US3832554A US00265241A US26524172A US3832554A US 3832554 A US3832554 A US 3832554A US 00265241 A US00265241 A US 00265241A US 26524172 A US26524172 A US 26524172A US 3832554 A US3832554 A US 3832554A
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United States
Prior art keywords
corona discharge
stream
producing
negative ions
discharge gap
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00265241A
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C Topley
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Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Armstrong Cork Co
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Priority to US00265241A priority Critical patent/US3832554A/en
Priority to NL7208862A priority patent/NL7208862A/xx
Priority to DE2233745A priority patent/DE2233745A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3832554A publication Critical patent/US3832554A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/22—Ionisation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • A61L9/02—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
    • A61L9/03—Apparatus therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/44—Applying ionised fluids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T23/00—Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Negative ions are generated by passing a stream of gas and water vapour free of water droplets through a corona discharge of 5,000 volts or more.
  • British Pat. Specifications Nos. 392,945, 414,687, 420,360 and 436,467 disclose methods and apparatus for electrically treating moist air, but the air stream produced by the apparatus in those cases, when operated as set forth in the specifications does not contain negative ions in stable form.
  • a method of producing negative ions which comprises passing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets through a corona discharge of voltage at least 5,000 volts.
  • an apparatus for the production and. transport of negative ions which comprises means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets, a corona discharge gap, and means for blowing the stream through the corona discharge gap and exhausting it to atmosphere.
  • negative ions are generated which are not subjected to rapid recombination in clean dry air.
  • polluted air it is found that the generator clears the pollution, for example smells or mist.
  • the stream of negative ion containing air so produced is valuable in medical therapeutics for the treatment of pulmonary and respiratory conditions.
  • the present apparatus does not need to be directly in front of the mouth of the patient being treated the negative ion-containing stream of gas is stable and recombination rates are comparatively low.
  • the patient may accordingly be several feet away from the apparatus and yet be benefitted thereby.
  • the polarity of the room and contents in which the apparatus is operated may be changed from positive to negative.
  • the stream of gas which is passed through the corona discharge may contain components additional to air and water vapour, and by breathing the stream of air containing negative ions, these components may be introduced into the body.
  • the components which may be used in this way vary widely, but include elemental materials such as alkali, alkaline earth and other metals, and other chemical compounds which may be absorbed from the atmosphere by the lungs.
  • the voltage may be raised if desired to a value much above the 5,000 volt minimum, and this is of particular use in large ion generators such as might be used to condition a treatment room or even a complete hospital ward.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is a top view.
  • the apparatus comprises a standard evaporator 1 (such as that sold under the Trade Mark MOULINEX) which has been modified by the addition of extra evaporator wicks 2. These wicks may suitably be made of filtration board, and their area must be sufficient to give adequate humidification.
  • This evaporator contains a fan which sucks in air from the atmosphere and slowly passes it over the wicks and exhausts it into a convergent channel 3.
  • a treatment tunnel 4 in the centre of which is located a pair of corona discharge electrodes, a lower spike negative electrode 5 and an upper semi-cylindrical positive electrode 6.
  • the lower electrode is mounted on a suitable high voltage generator 7, e. g., any suitable apparatus capable of producing a spike voltage of 7,500 volts.
  • the corona discharge current in apparatus of this type is preferably 20 to 30 microamps.
  • the outlet end of tunnel 4 is connected to a discharge vent 8.
  • the evaporator l is filled with water, preferably distilled or deionised water, and the fan set in motion.
  • the corona discharge isset up and it is found that after a brief period of settling down, measurable negative ion concentrations may be easily detected more than 20 feet away from the apparatus.
  • Theapparatus described above may be made ofany convenient material such as metal, plastics or fibreglass, but the preferred material of construction is wood.
  • an evaporator of such efficiency that, under the conditions of use, the relative humidity of the gas stream passing through the apparatus is raised by at least 5 percent.
  • Apparatus for the production and transport of negative ions which comprises means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets, a corona discharge gap, and means .for blowing the stream through the corona discharge gap and exhausting it to atmosphere.
  • the means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour includes a wick evaporator, said wick evaporator providing a large evaporative surface area from which the water evaporates to provide water vapour free of water droplets.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Electrotherapy Devices (AREA)
  • Electrostatic Separation (AREA)

Abstract

Negative ions are generated by passing a stream of gas and water vapour free of water droplets through a corona discharge of 5,000 volts or more.

Description

United States Patent [191 Topley [22] Filed:
[ 1 GENERATION OF NEGATIVE IONS [75] Inventor: Charles Wilfred Topley, London,
England [73] Assignee: Armstrong Cork Company,
Lancaster, Pa.
, June 22, 1972 [21 App1.No.:265,241
[52] US. Cl. 250/423, 317/4 [51] Int. Cl. HOlj 37/00 [58] Field of Search 250/495 GL, 423; 317/4 [451 Aug. 27, 1974,
Ronzi 317/4 Jahnke.....' 317/4 Primary ExaminerJames W. Lawrence Assistant ExaminerB. C. Anderson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann, Ltd.
1571 ABSTRACT Negative ions are generated by passing a stream of gas and water vapour free of water droplets through a corona discharge of 5,000 volts or more.
5 Claims, 2 Drawing Fig u res GENERATION OF NEGATIVE IONS This invention relates to the generation of negative ions, for example hydroxyl ions.
The generations of negative ions in air has long been a desirable end in order to treat pulmonary and other respiratory conditions, for example emphysema. There have been attempts in the past to provide methods and apparatus for producing air having a high negative ion content, but all previous types of apparatus have tended to be ineffective due-to the rapid recombination of the negative ions produced after leaving the negative ion production zone.
British Pat. Specifications Nos. 392,945, 414,687, 420,360 and 436,467 disclose methods and apparatus for electrically treating moist air, but the air stream produced by the apparatus in those cases, when operated as set forth in the specifications does not contain negative ions in stable form.
According to a first feature of the present invention there is provided a method of producing negative ions which comprises passing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets through a corona discharge of voltage at least 5,000 volts.
According further tothe invention, there is provided an apparatus for the production and. transport of negative ions which comprises means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets, a corona discharge gap, and means for blowing the stream through the corona discharge gap and exhausting it to atmosphere.
By the use of this method, negative ions are generated which are not subjected to rapid recombination in clean dry air. In polluted air, it is found that the generator clears the pollution, for example smells or mist. The stream of negative ion containing air so produced is valuable in medical therapeutics for the treatment of pulmonary and respiratory conditions. Contrasted with previous apparatus, the present apparatus does not need to be directly in front of the mouth of the patient being treated the negative ion-containing stream of gas is stable and recombination rates are comparatively low. The patient may accordingly be several feet away from the apparatus and yet be benefitted thereby. In time the polarity of the room and contents in which the apparatus is operated may be changed from positive to negative.
If desired, the stream of gas which is passed through the corona discharge may contain components additional to air and water vapour, and by breathing the stream of air containing negative ions, these components may be introduced into the body. The components which may be used in this way vary widely, but include elemental materials such as alkali, alkaline earth and other metals, and other chemical compounds which may be absorbed from the atmosphere by the lungs.
Naturally, it is possible to vary the strength and intensity of the corona discharge in order to vary the ionisation produced. The voltage may be raised if desired to a value much above the 5,000 volt minimum, and this is of particular use in large ion generators such as might be used to condition a treatment room or even a complete hospital ward.
The invention is described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a negative ion generator according to the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus, and
FIG. 2 is a top view.
Referring to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a standard evaporator 1 (such as that sold under the Trade Mark MOULINEX) which has been modified by the addition of extra evaporator wicks 2. These wicks may suitably be made of filtration board, and their area must be sufficient to give adequate humidification. This evaporator contains a fan which sucks in air from the atmosphere and slowly passes it over the wicks and exhausts it into a convergent channel 3. Connected to the narrower end of channel 3 is a treatment tunnel 4 in the centre of which is located a pair of corona discharge electrodes, a lower spike negative electrode 5 and an upper semi-cylindrical positive electrode 6. The lower electrode is mounted on a suitable high voltage generator 7, e. g., any suitable apparatus capable of producing a spike voltage of 7,500 volts. The corona discharge current in apparatus of this type is preferably 20 to 30 microamps.
The outlet end of tunnel 4 is connected to a discharge vent 8. In use, the evaporator l is filled with water, preferably distilled or deionised water, and the fan set in motion. The corona discharge isset up and it is found that after a brief period of settling down, measurable negative ion concentrations may be easily detected more than 20 feet away from the apparatus.
It it is desired to introduce negative ions other than OH into the exit stream of gases, then, for example, simple salts may be dissolved in the water of the evaporator, e.g., calcium salts.
Theapparatus described above may be made ofany convenient material such as metal, plastics or fibreglass, but the preferred material of construction is wood.
It is preferableto use an evaporator of such efficiency that, under the conditions of use, the relative humidity of the gas stream passing through the apparatus is raised by at least 5 percent.
I claim as my invention:
1. Apparatus for the production and transport of negative ions which comprises means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets, a corona discharge gap, and means .for blowing the stream through the corona discharge gap and exhausting it to atmosphere.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour includes a wick evaporator, said wick evaporator providing a large evaporative surface area from which the water evaporates to provide water vapour free of water droplets.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a corona discharge gap provides a corona discharge of voltage of at least 5,000 volts.
4. The apparatus of claim I wherein the means for producing a corona discharge gap provides a corona amps.
- UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION- a entile. 3,83Z;554Y-, 1 Dated g 974 Inventor(s) It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
On the cever sheet delete "[73] Assignee: ArmstrongiCorF Company, Lancaster,;PIa."'.
Signed ahd siei aied"this llch'day of Jinuar 197$,
(SEAL) Attest: vC. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON j i Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer i and Trademarks FCQRM' PYO-OEE MOI-69) I k i Q USCOMM'DC maze-pee PatentNm 3 ,832,554 Dated August 27, 1974 Charles Wilfred Topley Inventor-(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 7
On the cover sheet delete "[73] Assignee: Armstrong CoTP Company, Lancaster, P-a.".-
Signed and sealed this llth day of January 1975;
(SEAL) Attest:
' 5 a .C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON v Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer andTrademarks

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for the production and transport of negative ions which comprises means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour not containing any water droplets, a corona discharge gap, and means for blowing the stream through the corona discharge gap and exhausting it to atmosphere.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a stream of gas and water vapour includes a wick evaporator, said wick evaporator providing a large evaporative surface area from which the water evaporates to provide water vapour free of water droplets.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a corona discharge gap provides a corona discharge of voltage of at least 5,000 volts.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a corona discharge gap provides a corona discharge of voltage of at least 6,000 volts.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for producing a corona discharge gap provides a corona discharge current in the range of from 20 to 30 microamps.
US00265241A 1972-06-22 1972-06-22 Generation of negative ions Expired - Lifetime US3832554A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00265241A US3832554A (en) 1972-06-22 1972-06-22 Generation of negative ions
NL7208862A NL7208862A (en) 1972-06-22 1972-06-27
DE2233745A DE2233745A1 (en) 1972-06-22 1972-07-08 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING NEGATIVE IONS

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00265241A US3832554A (en) 1972-06-22 1972-06-22 Generation of negative ions
NL7208862A NL7208862A (en) 1972-06-22 1972-06-27
DE2233745A DE2233745A1 (en) 1972-06-22 1972-07-08 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING NEGATIVE IONS

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4260884A (en) * 1977-03-11 1981-04-07 Hewlett-Packard Company Corona discharge devices
GB2304576A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-26 George Richardson Reduction of airborne contaminants
EP0806209A2 (en) * 1996-03-14 1997-11-12 Tetsujiro Kubo Method and apparatus for producing hydroxyl ion containing air for humidification

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2649630B2 (en) * 1992-05-29 1997-09-03 東陶機器株式会社 Casting method for ceramics

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1984159A (en) * 1931-11-26 1934-12-11 Gen Electric Inhaling device
US2095651A (en) * 1934-03-09 1937-10-12 Ronzi Carl Process and means for treating human skin
US3582711A (en) * 1967-10-09 1971-06-01 Constantin G Von Berckheim Arrangement for producing unipolar air ions

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1984159A (en) * 1931-11-26 1934-12-11 Gen Electric Inhaling device
US2095651A (en) * 1934-03-09 1937-10-12 Ronzi Carl Process and means for treating human skin
US3582711A (en) * 1967-10-09 1971-06-01 Constantin G Von Berckheim Arrangement for producing unipolar air ions

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4260884A (en) * 1977-03-11 1981-04-07 Hewlett-Packard Company Corona discharge devices
GB2304576A (en) * 1995-09-07 1997-03-26 George Richardson Reduction of airborne contaminants
GB2304576B (en) * 1995-09-07 1999-11-24 George Richardson Reduction of airborne contaminants
EP0806209A2 (en) * 1996-03-14 1997-11-12 Tetsujiro Kubo Method and apparatus for producing hydroxyl ion containing air for humidification
EP0806209A3 (en) * 1996-03-14 2000-03-08 Kubo Technology Institute Method and apparatus for producing hydroxyl ion containing air for humidification

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Publication number Publication date
NL7208862A (en) 1974-01-02
DE2233745A1 (en) 1974-01-24

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