Patent Abstract:
At least one orifice is added to an AC ionizer with nozzles and ionizing electrodes that are used to remove static charge. The orifice is placed in a location where electrostatic forces are weak and where gas ions can be easily extracted from the ionizer. Ionizer effectiveness is enhanced by recovering gas ions that are normally trapped between the nozzles and under a portion of the ionizer from which the nozzles project. Without the orifice properly positioned, the trapped gas ions are lost by recombination or grounding. With the orifice positioned in an area of weak electrostatic forces, more gas ions are available for discharging the charged object. The combined air consumption of nozzles plus at least one orifice is the same or less than nozzles alone would consume for a given discharge time.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/726,874 filed Oct. 13, 2005 and entitled “Orifice Assist for Ionizers with Airflow Nozzles”, and U.S. provisional application 60/778,755, filed Mar. 03, 2006 and entitled “Fringe Field Ion Extraction for Ionization Systems”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an alternating current (AC) ionizer that removes or minimizes static charge from a charged object selected for static charge removal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an AC ionizer that uses at least one flowing gas to enhance the static neutralization of the charged object.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     It is generally known that AC ionizers, sometimes referred to as “AC static neutralizers”, remove static charge by ionizing gas molecules, and delivering these ionized gas molecules, named gas ions, to a charged object. These gas ions are typically created by applying a high voltage to ionizing electrodes, by releasing nuclear sub-atomic particles, or by ionizing photon radiation. The location in which these gas ions are created is referred to as an ionizing source. Positive gas ions neutralize negative static charges, and negative gas ions neutralize positive static charges.  
         [0006]     Delivering gas ions to a charged object is a factor in the static charge removal effectiveness of an AC ionizer because only the gas ions that reach the charged object produce useful charge removal, hereinafter “useful gas ions”. Static charge removal is also sometimes referred to as “static charge neutralization”. There are two at least two mechanisms responsible for gas ion loss: recombination and grounding. Both recombination and grounding losses are more probable when gas ions are held to the ionizer by strong electrostatic forces.  
         [0007]     One approach for reducing the effects of recombination and grounding includes using at least one nozzle with flowing air or gas with an AC ionizer, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,044. Recombination is minimized because the flowing gas exiting a nozzle dilutes the gas ions before the positive ions and negative ions are mixed. Upon mixing, the lower gas ion density results in a lower recombination rate. In addition, the flowing gas from the nozzle propels the gas ions toward a charged object targeted for neutralization, which reduces the transport time and conserves the ions. Additionally, a nozzle can be oriented to direct generated gas ions toward the charged object, reducing the number of gas ions lost from grounding. Finally, some air nozzle geometries protect the ionizing electrodes from impurities in the environment.  
         [0008]     For example, one type of AC ionizer places an ionizing electrode inside a nozzle. High purity air, nitrogen, or other non-reactive gas flows through each nozzle and along the ionizing electrode. This combination of nozzle and flowing gas partially protects the ionizing electrode from impurities in the environment, which reduces the cleaning frequency of ionizing electrodes, reducing the cost of maintenance and ownership. Moreover, ion balance is maximized because less buildup occurs on the ionizing electrode tips.  
         [0009]     Although combining nozzles with an AC ionizer enhances the neutralization efficiency of the AC ionizer, nozzles alone miss the opportunity for even better AC ionizer performance. Consequently, a need exists for enhancing the performance of an AC static neutralizer that employs at least one nozzle.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a portion of an AC ionizer that utilizes nozzles.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of another portion of an AC ionizer that utilizes nozzles.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view diagram of electrostatic field lines between an ionizing electrode and nearby non-ionizing electrode having a circular edge and a reference potential, such as ground.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a graph which illustrates the relationship between electrostatic field force on gas Ion gas ion and the distance from the source of the electrostatic field  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view diagram illustrating portion of an AC ionizer that uses nozzles and an orifice disposed within a placement zone in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a graph showing the effect of locating orifices in a weak electrostatic field, including the effect of reducing the number of ionizing electrodes required.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view diagram illustrating a portion of an AC ionizer that employs nozzles, an orifice in a placement zone and a single non-ionizing electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view diagram illustrating an AC ionizer that employs nozzles, orifices in a placement zone and two non-ionizing electrodes in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  shows lines and angles that define a placement zone in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an isometric bottom view of a portion of an AC ionizer according to a further embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description. The use of these alternatives, modifications and variations in or with the various embodiments of the invention shown below would not require undue experimentation or further invention.  
         [0021]     The various embodiments of the present invention described herein are generally directed to the improvement of AC ionizers that utilize nozzles by adding at least one orifice within a placement zone between adjacent ionizing electrodes. Although AC ionizers that utilize nozzles are known, such as the AC ionizer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,044, hereinafter the “Patent” and which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, it is not intended that the various embodiments of the present invention be limited to existing AC ionizer designs.  
         [0022]     Although a gas is delivered through both nozzles and orifices, nozzles and orifices are different. The term “nozzle” includes a structure with a hollow inner portion. One example is a cylinder having an inner and outer diameter. An ionizing electrode is positioned within that hollow inner portion. Gas flows through that hollow inner portion, and past the ionizing electrode. The term “orifice” includes an opening through which air or gas may exit. An air orifice does not possess or contain an ionizing electrode.  
         [0023]     The term “placement zone” is defined as the optimal location or area for placing at least one orifice between adjacent nozzles that are disposed on an AC ionizer and that each have an ionizing electrode contained generally within their inner portion. This placement zone area is not an additional hardware structure. It is a geometrical projection onto the face or surface of a portion of an AC ionizer that contains nozzles. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the placement zone has a shape in cross-section that is commonly referred to as a diamond shape.  
         [0024]     AC ionizers differ from DC ionizers. With an AC ionizer, typically all ionizing electrodes are connected to the same voltage source. Unlike DC ionizers, the strongest attractive electrostatic field forces for AC ionizers are found between the ionizing electrodes and ground. And, unlike DC ionizers, electrostatic field forces between adjacent ionizing electrodes are repulsive. Gas ions produced by one ionizing electrode are repelled by an adjacent ionizing electrode because they have the same polarity. As a consequence, the optimal placement of orifices is different for an AC ionizer than it is for a DC ionizer, and gas ion delivery efficiency for AC ionizers can be improved by adding at least one orifice between adjacent nozzles that each contains an ionizing electrode.  
         [0025]     For an AC ionizer, the placement zone between adjacent nozzles is particularly useful for two reasons. First, gas ions that would normally be lost to grounding are present in the placement zone in moderately high concentration. Recovery of these gas ions is functionally equivalent to creating more gas ions. Second, gas ions in the placement zone are not held tightly to the AC ionizer by strong electrostatic fields.  
         [0026]     In addition, AC ionizer discharge times commonly achieved by using nozzles alone can be reduced by placing at least one orifice between adjacent ionizing electrodes within a placement zone. It has been further observed that this decrease in discharge times is achieved even when the total gas consumption from the nozzles and the orifice(s) does not exceed the consumption from the nozzles alone.  
         [0027]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict examples of AC ionizer portions  2   a  and  2   b  that use nozzles  4   a  and  4   b  and ionizing electrodes  6   a  and  6   b , respectively. Gas ions are created by corona discharge when a high voltage is applied to ionizing electrodes  6   a  and  6   b . In  FIG. 1 , gas enters nozzle  4   a  from a pressurized supply (not shown) through a jet  8  located besides ionizing electrode  6   a , while in  FIG. 2 , gas enters nozzle  4   b  through a concentric opening  10 . After exiting jet  8  or concentric opening  10 , the gas flows around and past ionizing electrodes  6   a  or  6   b , respectively.  
         [0028]     The term “gas” is intended to include a gas or a combination of gases, such as air. This gas is supplied to nozzles  4   a  and  4   b  through tubing or through a common plenum, which is not shown to avoid overcomplicating  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0029]     Utilizing nozzles help protect ionizing electrodes from impurities since relatively pure or clean gas may be forced to flow past and generally along the ionizing electrode. Impurities from air within the operating environment of the ionizer are thus largely excluded from contacting the ionizing electrodes, minimizing particle buildup on the ionizing electrodes. Moreover, balance and discharge time remain constant for long time periods, and the frequency of cleaning is reduced.  
         [0030]     Nozzles, such as nozzles  4   a  and  4   b , also direct gas ions toward a charged object (not shown), reducing the gas ion density required for neutralizing the charged object. Also, the ion movement transit time to the object is reduced by the gas nozzle flow, which decreases ion recombination.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of an ionizing electrode  12  within a nozzle  14  from an AC ionizer portion  16 . Nozzle  14  receives gas from a plenum  15  and is disposed through a cut-out  18  formed on a bottom surface  20 . Plenum  15  provides a supply of pressurized gas or gases, such as air, to nozzle  14 . Bottom surface  20  includes a conductive surface  22  that receives a reference potential, such as ground. When used in this manner, conductive surface  22  may be referred to as a non-ionizing electrode or as a reference electrode.  
         [0032]     When conductive surface  22  is used as a reference electrode and when a sufficient voltage from a high voltage power supply (not shown) is applied to ionizing electrode  12 , electrostatic field lines  24  originating at ionizing electrode  12  are grounded at the edge of the cut-out  18 . Because electrostatic field lines  24  are strong in a region  26 , gas exiting from jet  27  and flowing out of nozzle  14  is marginally effective for harvesting or displacing gas ions (not shown) created within region  26 . Most of these gas ions will follow electrostatic field lines  24  to conductive surface  22 , grounding gas ions that would have been useful for static charge neutralization, reducing the efficiency of the AC ionizer.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  includes a graph  28  that illustrates the relationship between the strength of electrostatic field forces and the distance from the source of the electrostatic field. Graph  28  shows that electrostatic field forces on gas ion gas ion increase as the distance from an ionizing electrode decreases.  
         [0034]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  illustrates the use of at least one orifice, such as orifice  30 , in combination with an AC ionizer to enhance ionizer efficiency in harvesting gas ions for use in the static neutralization of a charged object (not shown). The embodiment shown includes orifice  30  disposed within a placement zone  34  that is located between adjacent nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  of AC ionizer portion  32 . Nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  respectively include ionizing electrodes  38   a  and  38   b  disposed in their respective inner hollow portions  39   a  and  39   b . Nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  utilize forced or compressed gas, which exit from jets  37   a  and  37   b , to harvest gas ions near or at the tips of ionizing electrodes  38   a  and  38   b.    
         [0035]     In the embodiment in  FIG. 5 , orifice  30  is nominally placed midway between ionizing electrodes  38   a  and  38   b , which enables compressed gas exiting orifice  30  to harvest gas ions trapped under the electrostatic field generated when a high voltage is applied to ionizing electrodes  38   a  and  38   b . Further, since orifice  30  and nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  each provide an exit from which the gas may flow, an optimal allocation of the gas is obtained, resulting in a relatively low gas ion discharge time. Orifice  30  is coupled to or form on a surface  45  of a plenum  41  and located within placement zone  34 . A cut-out  40  is formed on conductive surface  42 , permitting a pressurized gas to flow past conductive surface  42 .  
         [0036]     Nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  are also coupled to surface  45  of plenum  41 . Cut-outs  48   a  and  48   b  are formed on conductive surface  42 , permitting nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  to protrude past conductive surface  42 . Conductive surface  42  is used as a non-ionizing electrode and when coupled to a reference voltage, such as ground, functions as a reference electrode. Conductive surface  42  may be located on the same side of AC ionizer portion  32  on which nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  are located. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , conductive surface  42  is composed of a thin relatively rigid material having electrically conductive properties, such as thin metal. The use of thin metal is not intended to be limiting. For example, conductive surface  42  may be composed of a non-metallic and electrically insulating material that has a conductive coating that faces in the same general direction as the gas flow provided by nozzles  36   a  and  36   b.    
         [0037]     The term “cut-out” is intended to be interpreted broadly and includes any hole or aperture that is formed on a surface, such as conductive surface  42 , that will permit the use of a nozzle, an orifice or both in accordance with the embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Those of ordinary skill in the art after receiving the benefit of this disclosure would readily recognize that using a separate plenum and conductive surfaces, such as plenum and conductive surfaces  45  and  42 , respectively, is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, a conductive plating material (not shown) may be formed on surface  45  of plenum  41 . This conductive plating material would have voids that are similar in diameter and location as cut-outs  40  and  48 .  
         [0038]     Gas ions found between electrodes that receive the same polarity are not tightly held to AC ionizer portion  32 . Orifice  30  permits gas to exit from it, providing a high velocity flow of gas that displaces gas ions within the vicinity of orifice  30  away from AC ionizer portion  32  and towards a charged object (not shown) selected for static neutralization. This discharge flow of gas from orifice  30  creates a low pressure area and entrains additional airflow within an air entrainment zone  50 . Air entrainment zone  50  covers portions of cut-outs  48   a  and  48   b  and cut-out  40 , where electrostatic fields created by ionizing electrodes  38  during operation are weak.  
         [0039]     It is contemplated that orifice  30  and jets  37   a  and  37   b  have diameters of approximately within the range of 0.010 and 0.016 inches, providing a volume of gas discharge of approximately within the range of 0.5 and 5 liters per minute, respectively, when a supply of gas at a pressure approximately between 5 and 60 psi is provided in plenum  41 . These ranges are not intended to be limiting and will vary depending on the physical characteristics and design of portion  32 , including the diameters selected for the nozzle and orifices, number of nozzles and orifices used, and the like.  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a graph  52  illustrates that an AC ionizer having nozzles and ionizing electrodes configured with orifices in a manner similar to that described in  FIG. 5  can provide the same level of performance as an AC ionizer with roughly twice the number of nozzles and ionizing electrodes but without orifices. The values on graph  52  include measurements of time needed to reduce an electrical charge on a plate from a charge plate monitor from 1000V to 100V. These time measurements are obtained for each polarity and then averaged. Assuming all other factors constant, the ion discharge time achieved will be shorter than that of an AC ionizer that does not employ the improvement taught by the embodiment described in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0041]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 5  may be further improved by using at least one non-ionizing electrode having the features described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  illustrates an AC ionizer portion  54  that includes at least two nozzles  56   a  and  56   b  with ionizing electrodes  58   a  and  58   b  and jets  59   a  and  59   b , at least one orifice  60  located within a placement zone  62 , and a non-ionizing electrode  66  that is used as a reference electrode. However, unlike the embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the example in  FIG. 7  does not require cut-outs on a conductive surface since the conductive surface used as a non-ionizing electrode, such as non-ionizing electrode  66 , is positioned approximately parallel to an imaginary line  68  that intersects ionizing electrodes  56   a  and  56   b  and consequently, does not impede the formation or placement of nozzles  56   a  and  56   b  and orifice  60  onto plenum surface  61 . Plenum surface  61  is part of plenum  63 , and plenum  63  functions as a channel or passage way through which a pressurized supply of gas may be routed to nozzles  56   a  and  56   b  and orifice  60 .  
         [0042]     Non-ionizing electrode  66  is intended to be used as a reference electrode and is thus, coupled to a reference voltage, such as ground. It is contemplated that non-ionizing electrode  66  has a shape approximately in the form of a strip. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the aspect ratio of the strip-like shape of non-ionizing electrode  66  is not intended to be limiting. The shape of non-ionizing electrode  66  may vary as long as non-ionizing electrode  66  does not intersect line  68 . Nozzles  56   a  and  56   b , ionizing electrodes  58   a  and  58   b , jets  59   a  and  59   b , orifice  60 , plenum surface  61 , placement zone  62 , and plenum  63  may have substantially the structure and function as nozzles  36   a  and  36   b , ionizing electrodes  38   a  and  38   b , jets  37   a  and  37   b , orifice  30 , orifice  30 , plenum surface  45 , placement zone  44  and plenum  41 , respectively, in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0043]     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention and as disclosed in  FIG. 8 , the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 7  may be further improved by using at least two non-ionizing electrodes.  FIG. 8  illustrates an AC ionizer portion  70  that includes at least two nozzles  70   a  and  70   b  with ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72   b  and jets  73   a  and  73   b , at least one orifice  74  located within a placement zone  76 , two non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b  that are used as reference electrodes, a plenum surface  77  and a plenum  78 . Nozzles  70   a  and  70   b , ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72   b , jets  73   a  and  73   b , orifice  74 , placement zone  76 , plenum surface  77  and plenum  78  may respectively have substantially the same function and structure as nozzles  56   a  and  56   b , ionizing electrodes  58   a  and  58   b , jets  59   a  and  59   b , orifice  60 , placement zone  62 , plenum surface  61  and plenum  63 , disclosed in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0044]     Non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b  are each similar in function and in shape to non-ionizing reference electrode  66 . Non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b  are oriented so that they do not intersect an imaginary line  82  that intersects ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72   b . In addition, non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b  are disposed on opposite sides of nozzles  70   a  and  70   b , as shown.  
         [0045]     The embodiments disclosed in  FIGS. 7 and 8  achieve even less discharge time when compared to the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 5 . The embodiment in  FIG. 8  takes advantage of weak field extraction of gas ions because no grounds exist between ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72   b , and the distances between ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72  and an available reference potential, such as ground, provided by non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b  are increased on average. Thus, proportionately more gas ions are bound with weak electrostatic forces using an AC ionizer modified according to the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 8 . These gas ions are also be entrained by the action of the orifice(s) used, such as orifice  74 . Further, the size of the non-ionizing electrodes that are used as reference electrodes, such as non-ionizing electrodes  80   a  and  80   b , may be reduced which lowers overall capacitance and capacitance losses. One practical consequence of lower high voltage power losses is the capability to build AC ionizers with more ionizing electrodes without using larger power supplies.  
         [0046]     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the term “placement zone”, such as placement zone  85 , may be defined as a location on an AC ionizer portion  83  that is defined by two first opposite corners  82   a  and  82   b  situated respectively between two adjacent ionizing electrodes  88   a  and  88   b . Nozzles  84   a  and  84   b  have inner hollow portions  86   a  and  86   b  that contain all or part of ionizing electrodes  88   a  and  88   b , respectively. Inner hollow portions  86   a  and  86   b  also house jets  87   a  and  87   b , respectively. Nozzles  84   a  and  84   b  and ionizing electrodes  88   a  and  88   b  may have respectively the same function and structure as nozzles  36   a  and  36   b  and ionizing electrodes  38   a and  38   b  disclosed in  FIG. 5 ; nozzles  56   a  and  56   b  and ionizing electrodes  58   a  and  58   b  disclosed in  FIG. 7 ; or nozzles  70   a  and  70   b  and ionizing electrodes  72   a  and  72   b  disclosed in  FIG. 9 . First opposite corners  82   a  and  82   b  respectively have first corner angles  90   a  and  90   b  that are less than or equal to 30 degrees. An imaginary straight line  92  drawn between ionizing electrodes contained within adjacent nozzles, such as ionizing electrodes  88   a  and  88   b , bisects first corner angles  90   a  and  90   b.    
         [0047]     In addition, placement zone  85  may also be defined to include two second opposite corners  94   a  and  94   b  situated respectively between two adjacent ionizing electrodes, such as electrodes  88   a  and  88   b . Second opposite corners  94   a  and  94   b  are formed by the intersection of lines  96   a  and  96   b , and  97   a  and  97   b , respectively. Lines  96   a  and  97   a  originate from first opposite corner  82   a , while lines  96   b  and  97   b  originate from first opposite corner  82   b . Second opposite corners  94   a  and  94   b  also include second corner angles  99   a  and  99   b , respectively, which are each equal to or greater than 150 degrees. By using these descriptions with reference to  FIG. 9 , placement zone  85  may be said to be a geometric projection on AC ionizer portion  83  that has a “diamond-like” shape.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a portion  98  of an AC ionizer is shown with a placement zone  100  in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Portion  98  is part of an ionizing bar, sometimes referred to as a module, that has a plurality of nozzles containing ionizing electrodes, such as nozzles  102   a  and  102   b  and ionizing electrodes  104   a  and  104   b , and modified to have a protrusion  114  having an orifice  106  placed within placement zone  100 . Other orifices may be placed within other placement zones although in  FIG. 10  only orifice  108  is shown to avoid overcomplicating the figure. Portion  98  also includes two reference electrodes  110   a  and  110   b  that each have a strip-like shape and that are orientated approximately parallel to imaginary line  112 . Nozzles  102   a  and  102   b , as well as protrusion  114  are coupled to plenum surface  116 . The manner of coupling nozzles  102   a  and  102   b  and protrusion  114  to plenum surface  116  is not intended to be limiting in any way. Plenum surface  116  is part of plenum  117 . Nozzles  102   a  and  102   b , ionizing electrodes  104   a  and  104   b , orifice  106 , reference electrodes  110   a  and  110   b  imaginary line  112  plenum surface  116  and plenum  117  may have approximately the same function as similarly named elements described previously above with respect to  FIG. 7  or  8  above.  
         [0049]     In accordance, with another embodiment of the present invention, the placement zones described in  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 7 through 10  may be further modified by excluding sections of the placement zone that overlaps areas occupied by each nozzle and ionizing electrode. Excluding these sections as part of the placement zone, avoids placing an orifice near a nozzle, and hence, an ionizing electrode. For example, these excluded sections may include areas  118   a  and  118   b ,  120   a  and  120   b ,  122   a  and  122   b ,  124   a  and  124   b  and  126   a  and  126   b  in  FIGS. 5 and 7  through  10 , respectively.  
         [0050]     As disclosed in the various embodiments of the present invention, placing an orifice, such as orifice  98 , within placement zone  85  of an AC ionizer having nozzles and ionizing electrodes, such as nozzles  84   a  and  84   b  and ionizing electrodes  88   a  and  88   b , reduces gas ion discharge times, enhances gas ion harvesting or both. However, placing an orifice within placement zone  85  or using a location that has a diamond-like shape is not intended to limit the scope of various embodiments disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that other locations or location shapes may be used to reduce discharge times and/or enhance gas ion harvesting through any or all of the following mechanisms.  
         [0051]     The first mechanism is breakup of the turbulence in the vicinity of an AC ionizer portion that employs nozzles. Ions trapped in turbulence are vulnerable to recombination and grounding. Orifices prevent a stable turbulent vortex from forming beneath the ionizer portion, and propel gas ions within the vortex toward a charged object targeted for static charge removal.  
         [0052]     The second mechanism is generation of supplemental air flow due to air entrainment (air amplification) by the high velocity air, which is delivered through the orifices. This supplemental air flow helps to remove gas ions which are trapped between the nozzles.  
         [0053]     The third mechanism is weak electrostatic field gas ion extraction. The ionizing electrodes of an AC ionizer are connected to a common electrical bus with adjacent ionizing electrodes receiving the same polarity and voltage at any given time, which creates repellant electrostatic fields between adjacent ionizing electrodes, and the weakest electrostatic field is located between adjacent ionizing electrodes or between adjacent nozzles if such ionizing electrodes are placed within the adjacent nozzles. An orifice located between adjacent ionizing electrodes is optimally positioned for removing gas ions from the AC ionizer.  
         [0054]     Gas from an orifice within a placement zone blows perpendicular to the electric field lines in the region of weakest electrostatic field constraint, and this gas has a high probability of removing gas ions that are constrained by an electrostatic field. The removed gas ions are, hence, available to remove static charge from the charged object.  
         [0055]     The forth mechanism is relocation of high turbulence away from the tip of an ionizing electrode where the recombination rate is potentially the highest.  
         [0056]     The fifth mechanism is redistribution of forced or compressed gas to achieve maximum ion output. As disclosed in the various embodiments of the present invention above, nozzles utilize forced or compressed gas to harvest gas ions near or at an ionizing electrode tip, while orifices utilize compressed gas to harvest gas ions trapped under the electrostatic field generated by the ion generation process. The optimal allocation of compressed gas results in a relatively low discharge time.  
         [0057]     While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments. Rather, the present invention should be construed according to the claims below.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7