Electrostatic charging device having a spark gap voltage regulator between a corona source and a voltage source

Claim 2

A corona discharge device for depositing an electrostatic charge upon a surface comprising an electrode positioned adjacent to the surface to be charged, a circuit means coupling a source of electrical potential to said electrode, and spark gap means in series between said circuit means and said electrode for holding said electrode inactive below a predetermined potential, said predetermined potential being at least greater than the threshold potential at which said device emits corona, and to effect a continuous discharge of corona at a potential above said predetermined potential.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said electrode is an elongated wire positioned substantially parallel to said surface to be charged.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 wherein said elongated wire is substantially surrounded by a shield having an opening to permit ion current flow therefrom.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3 wherein said shield is electrically grounded.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 wherein said source of electrical potential comprises a positive potential for depositing a positive charge upon said surface.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 wherein said source of electrical potential comprises a negative potential for depositing a negative charge upon said surface.

Claim 8

Said device of claim 1 wherein said gap means includes two spaced electrodes.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7 wherein said spark gap means is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the corona discharge potential and the charging rate of the device.

Claim 10

A corona discharge device of the type having an electrode for depositing an electrostatic charge upon a charge-receiving surface and a grounded electrode shield partially surrounding said electrode, said electrode and shield being operatively connected to circuit means for providing a source of electrical potential to the electrode, said discharge device further including spark gap means in series with said electrode and said shield for holding the corona discharge device inactive below a predetermined potential, said predetermined potential being at least greater than the threshold potential at which said device emits corona, and to effect a continuous discharge of corona at a potential above said predetermined potential whereby the surface is efficiently and uniformly charged.

Claim 11

A corona discharge device of the type having an electrode for depositing an electrostatic charge upon a charge-receiving surface and a grounded electrode shield partially surrounding said electrode, said electrode and shield being operatively connected to circuit means for providing a source of electrical potential to the electrode, said discharge device further including spark gap means in series with said electrode and said shield for holding the corona discharge device inactive below a predetermined potential, said predetermined potential being at least greater than the threshold potential at which said device emits corona, and to effect a continuous discharge of corona at a potential above said predetermined potential whereby the surface is efficiently and uniformly charged.

Claim 12

The corona discharge device of claim 9 wherein said spark gap means includes two electrodes positioned in spaced parallel relation to each other.

Claim 13

The corona discharge device of claim 10 wherein said two parallel electrodes are spaced at between 0.025 inches and 0.035 inches apart.

Claim 14

The corona discharge device of claim 10 wherein the gap between the two spaced electrodes is adjustable whereby the magnitude of the sparking potential is controllable.

Claim 15

The device of claim 9 wherein a positive potential is applied to said electrode to deposit a positive charge upon said surface.

Claim 16

The device of claim 9 wherein a negative potential is applied to said electrode to deposit a negative charge upon said surface.