Patent ID: 6252233
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H05F

Abstract:
A method of balancing positive and negative ion output in an electrical ionizer having (i) positive and negative ion emitters, and (ii) positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters, at least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies switching between a high state and a low state, the method comprising:(a) providing an ion balance sensor located close to the ion emitters, the ion balance sensor outputting a voltage value;(b) storing an ion balance sensor set point voltage value, the voltage value being set to provide a balanced ion condition in the work space near the electrical ionizer;(c) during operation of the electrical ionizer, comparing the output voltage value of the ion balance sensor with the set point voltage value;(d) switching one of the switchable high voltage power supplies to a high state when it is detected as a result of the comparison that the output voltage value of the ion balance sensor exceeds the set point voltage value in a first direction by a first predetermined amount; and(e) switching the one of the switchable high voltage power supplies to a low state when it is detected as a result of the comparison that the output voltage value of the ion balance sensor exceeds the set point voltage value in a second direction by a second predetermined amount, the second direction being opposite of the first direction.