WO2007086091A1

WO2007086091A1 - A crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement

Info

Publication number: WO2007086091A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Patarchi
Original assignee: Micronasa Di Patarchi Alberto
Priority date: 2006-01-24
Filing date: 2007-01-22
Publication date: 2007-08-02
Also published as: ITRM20060030A1

Abstract

A crown effect apparatus (1) with acceleration means for fog abatement comprises means (3) for ionising water vapour particles (8) and means (11) for collecting ionised water vapour particles (9). The ionising means (3) are at a negative potential relative to the collecting means (11) with consequent generation of a field of Coulomb forces (20) between said means and determination of a displacement of the ionised particles (9) and of their encounter with non ionised water particles (8) and with the collecting means (11) until the formation of water droplets (17) is obtained. Means for accelerating the ionised particles (9) are provided, such as a diffuser (13) with fan, able to increase their relative speed in their displacement towards the collecting means (11). The accelerating means can also be constituted by a vehicle whereon the apparatus is mounted.

Description

Description A Crown Effect Apparatus with Acceleration Means for Fog Abatement

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement.

Background Art

Fog is an insidious enemy, because it reduces visibility and hence increases the dangers encountered, in particular, in road circulation. Road accidents caused by fog contribute to determine heavy losses in terms of human lives and capitals for the community.

Among the various methods used in the past to eliminate fog, especially on roads and in airports, are those based on the crown effect caused by applying high voltages on conductors.

It is well known that, if a high voltage in direct current is applied to a conductor, preferably with negative electrical potential, a crown effect is initiated when the intensity of the potential gradient around the conductor exceeds the value of the dielectric stiffness of the medium. The medium around the conductor is ionised, and the negative ions are guided electrostatically according to the Coulomb force lines that are generated around the conductors. The process of condensation of the fog particles occurs because the negative ions in motion collide with the water particles in the air (water vapour gas) or are attracted to each other by the Coulomb forces, the particles enlarge gradually, and lastly they fall in water droplets.

This physical phenomenon is also explained in the US Patent No. 6,152,378, which discloses a method for eliminating fog, that uses electrodes mounted on posts, preferably at the sides of roads. The same Patent No. 6,152,378 refers to three prior Japanese patents, i.e. the patent application for utility model No. Sho

64-32747, the patent application of first publication No. Hei 7-197428 and the patent application of first publication No. Hei 8-218340. Said patents describe apparatuses for generating crown effect and collecting water droplets, which are mounted fixed to the ground.

The author of the present invention has noted that the efficiency of these apparatuses is limited because the probability that the ionised water vapour particles will encounter each other and the collecting means is entrusted substantially to the Coulomb forces alone.

The object of the pleasant invention therefore is to improve efficiency in eliminating fog, introducing means able to accelerate the movement of the ionised water vapour particles from the ionising means both towards the collecting means and towards other water vapour particles to determine the formation of droplets.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, according to the present invention a crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement is provided, comprising means for ionising water vapour particles and means for collecting ionised particles, the ionising means being at a negative potential relative to the collecting means with consequent generation of a field of Coulomb forces between the ionising means and the collecting means and determination of a displacement of the ionised water vapour particles and of their encounter with non ionised water particles and with said collecting means until the formation of water droplets is obtained, which, from a general viewpoint, is characterised in that it comprises means for accelerating the ionised particles of water vapour in the Coulomb force field able to increase the relative speed of the ionised particles in their displacement towards the collecting means with respect to the speed they possess due solely to the Coulomb forces.

Remaining in the meteorological domain, the validity of the reasoning, which led the inventor to develop the invention described herein, can be drawn from the observation that, within an equal time interval, a windshield of a moving vehicle receives a greater quantity of water droplets than does the windshield of another, motionless, vehicle, assuming precipitation to be constant in time and space. This is due to the fact that to the force of gravity, in the absence of other forces like wind, is added the translation of the vehicle.

It should be understood that the above comparison, assuming it is considered significant, in no way limits the originality of the present invention in improving the crown effect apparatuses of the prior art. Description of the Drawings

The invention shall be described hereafter in its embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement according to the invention to illustrate generically the operating principle in a first embodiment;

- Figure 2 is a schematic axonometric view of a second embodiment of a movable apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a schematic axonometric view of a third embodiment of the movable apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a schematic axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of the movable apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a schematic axonometric view of a fifth embodiment of the movable apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 6 is a schematic axonometric view of a first variant of fixed means of the apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 7 is a schematic axonometric view of a second variant of fixed means of the apparatus according to the invention; and

- Figure 8 is a schematic axonometric view of parts used in the apparatus according to the invention.

Description of the Illustrative Embodiments Reference shall initially be made to Figure 1, which is a lateral schematic view of a first generic embodiment of a crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement according to the invention, globally designated by the numeral 1. The numeral 2 designates an electrostatic generator, the numeral 3 designates ionising electrodes as means for ionising waver vapour particles, the numeral 11 designates collectors as collecting means for the formation of water droplets and the numeral 13 designates a diffuser, inside which is an aspirator fan 16. The ground is designated by the numeral 12. The electrostatic generator has power supply and control means 19.

Merely for explanatory purposes, in Figure 1, the numeral 4 designates fog, the numeral 5 electrons formed by the ionising electrodes 3, the numeral 6 designates oxygen molecules, the numeral 7 designates ionised oxygen molecules, the numeral 8 designates water vapour particles constituting the fog, the numeral 9 designates ionised water vapour particles, the numeral 10 designates the Coulomb force lines in a field formed by the ionising electrodes 3 and by the collectors 11. Moreover, the numeral 14 designates the flow of air aspirated by the diffuser 13 through the aspirator fan 16, and transformed into forced air 15 upstream of the ionising electrodes 3. The numeral 17 designates the water droplets and 18 designates air free of fog.

According to the invention, a flow of air with fog 14 is conveyed in the diffuser 13 and forced, by means of the aspirator fan 16, exemplifying a blowing means, towards the ionising electrodes 3. The ionising electrodes 3, thanks to the electrostatic generator 2 which creates a high voltage in direct current with negative sign, ionise the water vapour particles 8 and transform them into ionised water vapour particles 9, which are attracted towards the collectors 11. The ionising electrodes 3 usually have pointed shape. The collectors 11 are pointed or spherical electrodes, as shown also hereafter, or simple conductors. It is important that the collectors 11 have a potential with positive sign with respect to the ionising electrodes 3. This can be obtained by earthing the collectors 11 with a connection to ground 12, or applying a positive potential with a generator (not shown), as is well known in the prior art.

The ionised water vapour particles 9 can be combined with other non ionised water vapour particles 8 or with the collectors 11 to form the water droplets 17, which precipitate.

The same effect of acceleration of an air flow according to the present invention can be obtained by mounting the crown effect apparatus on a vehicle. Whilst hereafter a car is shown as a vehicle, it is not to be construed as a limitation, because the apparatus according to the invention can be mounted on any means able to advance. With reference to Figures 2 through 5, which show respective embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention, identical or similar reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar parts to those of Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a private car 21a in which an ionising electrode 3, connected to the negative of the electrostatic generator 2, is mounted on the roof of the car. The car 21a is at negative potential, and a collector made of conductive rubber 12 is provided for contact with the ground. As it advances, the car 21a as a means for accelerating the particles in the field generates, to a greater extent than a fixed crown effect apparatus, electrons 5 able to ionise the surrounding water vapour particles. Said particles are collected by fixed collecting means as shown with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

In a third embodiment, with reference to Figure 3, a car 21b of an agency, such as the road police, is shown, in which an array of ionising electrodes 3, connected to the negative of the electrostatic generator, is mounted on front 24a and rear 24b cross members supporting signalling means of the car. As in the second embodiment, the car 21b is at negative potential, and multiple collectors made of conductive rubber 12 are provided for contact with the ground. As it advances, the car 21b forms electrons 5 able to ionise the surrounding water vapour particles, which are collected by fixed collecting means as shown with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

In a fourth embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, a car 21c as a fog-removing vehicle is shown. On the roof of the car 21c an array of ionising electrodes 3, connected to the negative of the electrostatic generator, is mounted on a front cross member 24a of the car, whilst an array of collectors 11, connected to the positive of the electrostatic generator, is mounted on a rear cross member 24b of the car. Between the. array of ionising electrodes 3 and the array of collectors is substantially created, on the roof of the car 2Ic₅ a similar arrangement to that of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, sufficient to create the abatement of the fog by itself. The flow of air with fog created in the first embodiment by the diffuser with aspirator fan, in the fourth embodiment is created through the advance of the car. The car represents the means for accelerating the air flow, and hence the ionised water vapour particles in the Coulomb force field 20. The array of collectors 11, alone or with the fixed collecting means as shown with reference to Figures 6 and 7, determines the formation of the droplets. In a fifth embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, a safety car 2 Id, e.g. of the agency managing the motorway, is shown, in which an array of ionising electrodes 3, connected to the negative of the electrostatic generator, is mounted posteriorly on the roof of the car. The creation of electrons is enhanced by the arrangement, forward of the array of ionising electrodes 3, of the diffuser 13 able to create the flow of air with fog 14 aspirated by the aspirator fan 16. The forced air 15 laps the array of ionising electrodes 3, with consequent formation of ionised air particles to be collected by fixed collecting means as shown with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

Reference shall now be made to Figures 6 and 7, which are schematic axonometric views of two variants of fixed means of the apparatus according to the invention. The figures show two road segments delimited by safety barriers 23. As shown in the first variant of Figure 6, support posts 22 bear at the upper end collectors 11 for collecting the ionised water vapour particles and transforming them into droplets, as seen in Figure 1. Both the support posts 22, and the safety barriers 23 are set on the ground, which is a normal practice in this type of installations. As shown in the second variant of Figure 7, support posts 22 bear at their upper end a crown effect apparatus 1, complete with diffuser 13 and aspirator fan 16 for the ionisation of the water vapour particles and, alternatively, collectors 11 for collecting the ionised water vapour particles and transform them into droplets.

It should be understood right away that the first variant of fixed means for fog abatement is in necessary co-operation with the second, the third and the fifth embodiment of crown effect apparatus, whilst the second variant of fixed means is autonomous in fog abatement.

Figure 8 shows an axonometric view of parts of the apparatus according to the invention in some modifications and particular forms. They are a crown effect apparatus globally designated by the numeral Ia and in two collector electrodes 1 Ia and 1 Ib, shown in the same Coulomb force field 20.

The crown effect apparatus Ia is a modification of the one shown in Figure 1. It has an electrostatic generator 2 connected to ionising electrodes 3 at a negative potential. The electrodes 3 are mounted integral with a charge transmitter comprising a diffuser 13, co-operating with an aspirator fan 16. The earth is designated by the numeral 12. The electrostatic generator 2 and the electrodes 3 are mounted on a rotatable turret 26. Li this way the electrons 5, formed by the ionising electrodes 3, can be distributed all around the apparatus, which aspirates the flow of air with fog 14 rotating by 360° around the axis of the upright 27 of the apparatus, earthed with ground 12. The collectors 11a and l ib are respectively pointed and spherical electrodes which are mounted on respective uprights 28, 28, also earthed with ground 12.

Claims

1. A crown effect apparatus with acceleration means for fog abatement (1) comprising means (3) for ionising water vapour particles (8) and means (11) for collecting ionised water vapour particles (9), the ionising means (3) being at a negative potential relative to the collecting means (11) with consequent generation of a field of Coulomb forces (20) between the ionising means (3) and the collecting means (11) and determination of a displacement of the ionised water vapour particles (9) and of their encounter with non ionised water particles (8) and with said collecting means (11) until the formation of water droplets (17) is obtained, characterised in that it comprises means (13, 16; 21) for accelerating said ionised water vapour particles (9) in said Coulomb force field (20) able to increase the relative speed of said ionised particles (9) in their displacement towards the collecting means (11), with respect to the speed possessed by them due to the Coulomb forces alone.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said acceleration means comprise a vehicle (21a, 21b) on a part whereof are mounted, towards the exterior, said ionising means (3).

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said acceleration means comprise a vehicle (21c) on a part whereof are mounted, towards the exterior, both said ionising means (3) and said collecting means (11), said ionising means (3) preceding said collecting means (11) in the direction of advance of the vehicle (21b).

4. An apparatus as claimed in either of the claims 2 and 3, characterised in that said vehicle (21a; 21b; 21c) is a car and said part thereof is its roof.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said acceleration means comprise means able to create a forced flow, positioned upstream of said ionising means (3) in the direction in which the crown effect propagates.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said means able to create a forced flow comprise blowing means (16) within a diffuser (13).

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said blowing means (16) and said ionising means (3) are located on a same vehicle (2Id).

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said blowing means (16) and said ionising means (3) are both located on a same support (22) that is fixed with respect to the ground.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said blowing means (16) and said ionising means (3) are both located on a rotatable base (26).

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said rotatable base (26) is in turn located on a vehicle.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said rotatable base (26) is in turn located on a same support (27) that is fixed with respect to the ground.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said ionising means (3) and said collecting means (11) are mounted, at a certain height, on respective fixed supports in alternating order.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that said fixed supports are posts (22) located along the sides of a road.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said ionising means (3) are constituted by electrodes with at least one tip, connected to a voltage generator (2) in direct current.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said generator (2) is earthed through metallic border barriers (23) of the area to be treated.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said blowing means (16) are constituted by an electric fan.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said collecting means (11) are pointed electrodes (1 Ia).

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said collecting means (11) are pointed electrodes (1 Ia).