GENERAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEWLY DEVELOPED BIPOLAR STATIC CHARGE ELIMINATOR

A new bipolar static charge eliminator suitable for neutralizing charg ed films and webs travelling at a high speed is described. The device consists of an in-line array of resistance coupled needle electrodes w hich are driven simultaneously and alternately into positive and negat ive corona discharges by unequal voltages from an integrated bipolar h .v. power supply. A smooth residual surface potential profile measured several hundred volts in magnitude can normally be attained after neu tralization. The amount of ozone and electromagnetic noise being produ ced were found to be insignificant. Finally, the discharges drawn by a pproaching an earthed object to the electrodes were found to be non-in cendiary.