Charged particle removal apparatus for an image display device

Claim 1

An apparatus for removing charged particles from a conductive element of an image-display device, which apparatus comprises: an alternating current high-voltage power supply; means connecting said alternating current high-voltage supply to said element to vary the potential of said element and to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said element and loosen said particles; and means for injecting a flushing gas into said device and circulating said gas under pressure to suspend said particles in said gas and to exhaust said particles.

Claim 2

An apparatus for removing charged particles from a conductive element of an image-display device, which apparatus comprises: an alternating current high-voltage power supply; means connecting said alternating current high-voltage supply to said element to vary the potential of said element and to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said element and loosen said particles; and means for injecting a flushing gas into said device and circulating said gas under pressure to suspend said particles in said gas and to exhaust said particles.

Claim 3

A method of removing charged particles from a conductive element of an image-display device, which method comprises: applying a varying electrical potential to said element to vary the potential of said conductive element to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said element and loosen said particles; circulating a flushing gas within said device to suspend said particles in said flushing gas; and exhausting said flushing gas with its suspended particles.

Claim 4

A method of removing charged particles from a conductive element of an image-display device, which method comprises: applying a varying electrical potential to said element to vary the potential of said conductive element to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said element and loosen said particles; circulating a flushing gas within said device to suspend said particles in said flushing gas; and exhausting said flushing gas with its suspended particles.

Claim 5

An apparatus for removing charged particles from the final anode and all other elements electrically connected thereto of a cathode-ray tube of the type having a glass envelope comprising a faceplate panel section and a funnel section sealed thereto, said funnel section having a conductive coating on its inner surface constituting said final anode and a narrow extension to form the neck of said tube, which apparatus comprises: an alternating current high voltage power supply; means connecting said alternating current high voltage supply to said final anode of said tube to vary the potential of said final anode and all said elements electrically connected thereto to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said anode and elements and loosen said particles; and means for injecting a flushing gas into said envelope and circulating said gas under pressure to suspend said particles and to exhaust said particles through said tube neck.

Claim 6

An apparatus for removing charged particles from the final anode and all other elements electrically connected thereto of a cathode-ray tube of the type having a glass envelope comprising a faceplate panel section and a funnel section sealed thereto, said funnel section having a conductive coating on its inner surface constituting said final anode and a narrow extension to form the neck of said tube, which apparatus comprises: an alternating current high voltage power supply; means connecting said alternating current high voltage supply to said final anode of said tube to vary the potential of said final anode and all said elements electrically connected thereto to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said anode and elements and loosen said particles; and means for injecting a flushing gas into said envelope and circulating said gas under pressure to suspend said particles and to exhaust said particles through said tube neck.

Claim 7

A method of removing charged particles from the final anode and all other elements electrically connected thereto of a cathode-ray tube of the type having a glass envelope comprising a faceplate panel section and a funnel section sealed thereto, said funnel section having a conductive coating on its inner surface constituting said final anode and a narrow extension to form the neck of said tube, which method leaves said seal intact and comprises the steps of: applying a varying electrical potential to said final anode and said elements electrically connected thereto, to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said anode and elements and loosen said particles; circulating a flushing gas within said tube to suspend said particles in said flushing gas; and exhausting said flushing gas through said neck.

Claim 8

A method of removing charged particles from the final anode and all other elements electrically connected thereto of a cathode-ray tube of the type having a glass envelope comprising a faceplate panel section and a funnel section sealed thereto, said funnel section having a conductive coating on its inner surface constituting said final anode and a narrow extension to form the neck of said tube, which method leaves said seal intact and comprises the steps of: applying a varying electrical potential to said final anode and said elements electrically connected thereto, to diminish the electric charge differential between said particles and said anode and elements and loosen said particles; circulating a flushing gas within said tube to suspend said particles in said flushing gas; and exhausting said flushing gas through said neck.