US3578997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric generators
Assignee: Tunzini Sames SA
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Filing: 1969-10-15
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-10-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to electric generators employing a gaseous fluid, such as air, which is caused to flow through a passage at high speed. The gaseous fluid is ionized by ionizing means comprising a needle electrode and a counter electrode formed by a convergent-divergent wall portion at the upstream end of the passage, the downstream portion of the passage being formed by an electrically insulating tube. According to this invention means are provided to avoid condensation forming on the outer surface of the insulating tube. The anticondensation means may comprise either thermal insulation, around the outer surface of the insulating tube; or means for heating said outer surface, or yet again means inducing a flow of a gaseous fluid over said outer surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Noel Felici
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:08
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In an electric generator employing a gaseous fluid, said generator comprising a passage for the gaseous fluid having a convergent-divergent upstream portion, an ion emitter formed from an electrode in said passage and from a counterelectrode constituting at least part of the inner wall of said convergentdivergent portion, and an insulating tube downstream of said convergent-divergent portion, which tube also constitutes part of said passage, the improvement comprising means for heating at least the outer surface of said insulating tube to avoid condensation on said outer surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an electric generator employing a gaseous fluid, said generator comprising a passage for the gaseous fluid having a convergent-divergent upstream portion, an ion emitter formed from an electrode in said passage and from a counterelectrode constituting at least part of the inner wall of said convergentdivergent portion, and an insulating tube downstream of said convergent-divergent portion, which tube also constitutes part of said passage, the improvement comprising means for heating at least the outer surface of said insulating tube to avoid condensation on said outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an electric generator employing a gaseous fluid, said generator comprising a passage for the gaseous fluid having a convergent-divergent upstream portion, an ion emitter formed from an electrode in said passage and from a counterelectrode constituting at least part of the inner wall of said convergent-divergent portion, and an insulating tube downstream of said convergent-divergent portion, which tube also constitutes part of said passage, the improvement comprising a tubular wall surrounding and spaced from the insulating tube and means for supplying a gas flow to the annular passage between the external surface of said insulating tube and said tubular wall to avoid condensation on the outer face of said insulating tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an electric generator employing a gaseous fluid, said generator comprising a passage for the gaseous fluid having a convergent-divergent upstream portion, an ion emitter formed from an electrode in said passage and from a counterelectrode constituting at least part of the inner wall of said convergent-divergent portion, and an insulating tube downstream of said convergent-divergent portion, which tube also constitutes part of said passage, the improvement comprising a tubular wall surrounding and spaced from the insulating tube and means for supplying a gas flow to the annular passage between the external surface of said insulating tube and said tubular wall to avoid condensation on the outer face of said insulating tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gas supply is derived from the gaseous fluid fed to the generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein diversion passages for the gaseous fluid are situated upstream of the insulating tube and are of a sufficiently small dimension to produce a release of the air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein diversion passages for the gaseous fluid are situated at the downstream end of the insulating tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating means consists of an electric heating element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A generator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electric heating element is enclosed in an insulating casing about the insulating tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A generator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electric heating element is arranged in a chamber upstream of the insulating tube and heats the gas flowing over the external surface of said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A generator as claimed in claim 8, including a fan for inducing the gas flow over the heating element and the external surface of said tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |