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Abstract

Apparatus for ionizing air molecules to suppress electrostatic charges in a room or for other purposes includes internal feedback which maintains a desired rate of ion production in the presence of electrode deterioration or other effects which could otherwise alter ion output. Production of air ions of a given polarity results in a ground return flow of electrical charges of opposite polarity from the high voltage generator at a rate corresponding to the rate of air ion output. The ground return current is monitored to produce an electrical feedback signal. A control circuit causes the high voltage generator to apply higher voltage to the electrode when the feedback signal decreases and to apply lower voltage to the electrode when the feedback signal increases. Such self-regulation of each individual electrode in systems having an array of electrodes that are otherwise jointly controlled acts to maintain a desired ratio of positive and negative ions in a room as well as a desired total ion concentration.

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First Claim