US3600653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fog abatement
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1970-04-02
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1990-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for increasing visibility through fog by employing an electrical field to force liquid particles in the fog together to form large drops of sufficient mass to precipitate from the fog under the force of gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:37
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03C; B03C9/00; E; E01; E01H; E01H13/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/11; Y10S261/77; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a method for reducing fog density from a source thereof to increase visibility therethrough, the improvement comprising passing at least part of said fog between at least one pair of electrodes, establishing an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of electrodes so that an electrical field is established between the two electrodes by the electrode which is at the higher potential, controlling the electrical field strength so that liquid particles in said fog are forced together to form larger liquid drops without collecting on an electrode, said larger liquid drops being of sufficient mass to precipitate from said fog due to the force of gravity after leaving said electrical field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a method for reducing fog density from a source thereof to increase visibility therethrough, the improvement comprising passing at least part of said fog between at least one pair of electrodes, establishing an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of electrodes so that an electrical field is established between the two electrodes by the electrode which is at the higher potential, controlling the electrical field strength so that liquid particles in said fog are forced together to form larger liquid drops without collecting on an electrode, said larger liquid drops being of sufficient mass to precipitate from said fog due to the force of gravity after leaving said electrical field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a method for reducing fog density from a source thereof to increase visibility therethrough, the improvement comprising dispersing in said fog an additive which improves the electrical conductivity of said fog, passing at least part of said fog between at least one pair of electrodes, establishing an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of electrodes so that an electrical field is established between the two electrodes by the electrode which is at the higher potential, controlling the electrical field strength so that liquid particles in said fog are forced together to form larger liquid drops without collecting on an electrode, said larger liquid drops being of sufficient mass to precipitate from said fog due to the force of gravity after leaving the electrical field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a method for reducing fog density from a source thereof to increase visibility therethrough, the improvement comprising dispersing in said fog an additive which improves the electrical conductivity of said fog, passing at least part of said fog between at least one pair of electrodes, establishing an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes of each pair of electrodes so that an electrical field is established between the two electrodes by the electrode which is at the higher potential, controlling the electrical field strength so that liquid particles in said fog are forced together to form larger liquid drops without collecting on an electrode, said larger liquid drops being of sufficient mass to precipitate from said fog due to the force of gravity after leaving the electrical field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said fog is a water fog and the fog source is a water cooling tower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said electrical potential difference is at least about 5000 volts per inch of spacing between the two electrodes of each pair of electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said electrical potential difference is established using direct current.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said material is at least one of ammonia and ammonium salts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said ammonia is present in finite amounts up to about 10 parts of ammonia per million parts of water in said fog.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said electrical potential difference is established using alternating current.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1120560A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |