Electrical charge elimination system - is designed for use in inflammable atmospheres and uses radioactive source to promote ionisation

摘要

The system consists of a charge collection and ionisation assembly (I) and electronic control circuit (II) through which the assembly (I) is connected to earth. The assembly (I) consists of a rectangular metallic strip (5) which supports a radioactive source (7). The assembly (i) has also auxiliary electrodes (20) fixed to the strip (5) and insulated from it. The electrodes (20) are connected in series to a low voltage source (21). An ionisation current is established through a resistance (9) in the absence of electrostatic charges on a band (1). It is possible to trace the variation in ionisation power of the source which permits detection of dust on its surface.