Patent ID: 6574086
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: H05F

Abstract:
An ionizer which creates a corona current distribution having a balanced flow of positive and negative ions in a variable ion mobility gaseous environment, the balanced flow of positive and negative ions being directed toward a workspace or target located in the gaseous environment and downstream from the ionizer, the ionizer comprising:(a) a corona electrode of negative polarity; (b) a counterelectrode having an ion collecting surface and spaced apart from the corona electrode; (c) a corona-free dc bias electrode of positive polarity spaced apart from the corona electrode and the counter electrode; and (d) a control circuit configured to control the output of at least one electrode so as to cause a balanced flow of positive and negative ions to be emiffed from the ionizer and directed towards the workspace or target, thereby creating a static-free environment at the workspace or target.