EP1190473A1 - Ion generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an ion generating device in gaseous medium, comprising one or several needles (40), having a body (40-1) and an emitting end (40-2), a composite material sleeve (42) comprising an unsaturated polyester, reinforced with glass fibre, enclosing the body (40-1) of each needle, means (44, 46, 80) for applying a voltage between two parts of the body of each needle.

Description

Title of invention Ion Generator Device

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to electronic devices of the "ion generator" type. These devices make it possible to maintain a certain ion density (for example of negative oxygen ions in the air) inside an enclosure or a room, in order to regain the salubrity of the place object of the ionic diffusion.

One application of the invention relates to the maintenance, inside any enclosure or any closed or semi-open room, with an aeration and / or ventilation system, of a certain ion density, for example in ions negative oxygen in the air, in order to restore the healthiness of the place object of the controlled ionic diffusion.

Such an ion generating device is known from document WO96 / 02966.

The structure of this known device essentially comprises:

- a first sub-assembly consisting of an electronic optical system,

- a second sub-assembly consisting of a power supply unit delivering, between an output S and a common ground M a high voltage of the order of 4 to 5 kV, under an impedance of the order of a hundred Mohms ; this second sub-assembly supplies said electronic optics with the high voltage necessary for ionic production.

In more detail, the electronic optical structure comprises the following elements, schematically represented in FIG. 1. A first plate 2, made of insulating material, cancels any electronic emission (effluvage) towards the rear of the device.

A second conductive plate 4, carries on its rear face emissive "points" such as the point 6. A third insulating plate 8, integral with the plate 4, is located in front of the latter.

"Points" 6 are constituted by long, thin needles, made of stainless metal (Ag), and have a free end (emissive) with a radius of a few micrometers.

An adaptive electronic emission structure consists of a dielectric "sheath" 10, and of a double conical structure 12 integral with the sheath, made of the same insulating material as the latter. This adaptive structure also includes an internal planar structure (plate 14), integral with the conical structure, located in the extension thereof, and made of the same insulating material. It is fixed on the outer wall 22 of the box containing the device.

A composite plate system 16, 18 has an insulating inner face 18, and an upper face 16, conductive and connected to ground. A hole 20 ensures the passage of the sheath and the emitting needle. A last plate 22 constitutes a housing containing the device.

It is made of a very weakly conductive material, and it is connected to the conductive plate 16. A “leakage” resistance 24 symbolizes the real resistance of the plate 16 responsible for draining the charges taken from the local space charge resulting from the electronic emission of the spikes.

In this device, the plate 16, carried by the insulating plate 18, is connected to ground (zero potential), and the emissive needles are sheathed with dielectric.

The zero equipotential is imposed by the field plate 16, its distribution depending on the position and the length of the needles, as well as on the characteristics of the dielectric sheath and of its distal cone 26. Because of the high relative permittivity of the sheath and of its distal cone, the "lowering" of the zero equipotential is practically done on the outer surface of said sheath.

In principle, this ensures the presence of an electric field of very high maximum value at the free end of the needle.

Such a device operates at a voltage of less than 4.5 kV.

There are also devices operating with a voltage between 6 and 12 kV.

All of these devices have a number of drawbacks.

First of all, they are limited in their performance and do not ensure the durability and consistency of ionic production. In particular, they do not allow a negative ionic flux to circulate constantly in the site or the enclosure to be treated. They also do not make it possible to ensure and extend the ionic flux, as well as the ionic diffusion, in the whole of the enclosure or of the room to be treated, and are also not very reliable as regards the real ionic production.

The known devices also have fairly low ionic yields after some time of use. In particular, after several uses, they prove to be little capable of efficiently producing oxygen ions.

Those working at a voltage higher than 6 kV are dangerous, due to the aggressiveness and toxicity of the peroxidizing products they produce, such as ozone or nitrogen oxides. They also induce electrostatic flows. In addition, the use of excessively high voltages is very difficult to control or control, and is therefore very dangerous in its current implementation.

Those which operate at a voltage less than or equal to 4200 volts, and in particular those of the type described above in conjunction with FIG. 1, implement methods of electrical supply, and of manufacturing, which tend to create a coherent system of supply and creation of ion flux.

But, whatever their protection system or process existing to date, they do not prevent the creation of friction, as well as the diffusion and the existence, in the housing, of air circulation, creating thus static charges and / or promoting the formation of compounds of the peroxide type. However, static charges reduce the efficiency of the ionic mass created.

These devices also do not ensure consistency and stability of the emissive needles, nor a production by needle which is coherent, regular and controllable, with a view to producing ion fluxes which will have a sufficient lifetime to treat normally and sustainably a targeted or identified place.

The device described in document WO96 / 02966 also requires a conical opening 28 which allows tactile contact, which is dangerous in certain applications, in particular in the automotive field or in nurseries.

Furthermore, the electrical connection between the plates 16 and 22 is made using an electric wire, and therefore additional connections, which complicates the device and its manufacture. These connections also create a deficiency in high voltage power, and do not prevent losses or static charges. The device cannot therefore really ensure a quality ionic production and a dispersion of the ionic flux in the atmosphere. In these known devices, ring effluvial effects are also manifested. These effects result in a deposit of pollutants in the zone 30 in "V" formed by the distal cone 26 and the conical opening 28 This zone is in contact with the atmosphere and circulating air flows, hence the creation of parasitic compounds such as peroxides or others The effluving effects prevent known devices from operating effectively Finally, this type of device does not offer an effective and lasting solution to the treatment of the target enclosure, and to the restoration of the sanitation of the place.

Such a device also does not allow to create a real insulation and a real seal, because of the external supplies and resistances necessary for its operation.

Finally, the sheath structure 20, integral with the cone 12, itself integral with the plates 14, is complex to produce industrially.

In both cases, a plasma zone extends very widely at the outlet of the emissive points. This is due to the production of various peroxides, dangerous to human or animal health, such as NO _x , and which, in addition, will, by a process of attraction and screen, favor the reduction of ionic emission. desired.

In addition, the values of the electric fields in the two existing devices referred to above are very random in the vicinity of the emissive point.

In order to promote diffusion, dispersion and ion circulation, certain devices incorporate a propulsion fan, this results in an expensive system, which generates an overconsumption of energy, and which is the cause of noise disturbances. Furthermore, such a system stirs the air by creating the agglutination of dust on the blades of the fans or of the propulsion system, which increase the friction phenomena of the air, which densifies the electrostatic disturbances, causes of the decrease. the emission of the ion flux in the enclosure or the volume to be treated.

According to another aspect, the known devices do not allow adaptation to various environments or premises. If a given device is installed in a room, there is no way to modify the ion production according to the occupation of the local, whether human occupation or the environment constituted by the furniture or the coverings on the walls of the local. No system also allows ion production to be adapted according to the location of the room. However, the needs are not the same depending on whether the premises are located, for example, in an urban agglomeration or in the countryside.

Finally, the known devices do not make it possible to produce a device having a number of emissive tips or needles greater than a few units. At best, the known devices have less than twenty needles.

Statement of the invention.

The invention firstly relates to an ion generator device in a gaseous or atmospheric medium, comprising:

- one or more needles, having a body and an emissive end

- a sheath of composite material, which surrounds the body of each needle - means for applying tension between two parts of the body of each needle.

The composite material includes an unsaturated polyester, reinforced with glass fibers.

The use of such a composite material as a cladding material brings a clear improvement from the point of view of the electronic emission and of the ionic production obtained.

Such a material can have a resistivity substantially equal to or equal to 10 ¹² ohms, m while the document WO96 / 02966 recommends using a material with resistivity greater than or equal to 10 ¹⁵ ohms. The choice of this material also eliminates the need to produce a conical distal structure in the vicinity of the end of each needle, integral with the sheathing, as well as the need to produce a conical proximal structure on the side of the emissive end of each needle.

The production of the ion generator device (positive or negative) is therefore greatly facilitated, and the drawdown of the lines of zero potential along the sheath is ensured without the presence of conical structures.

The sheath produced around the needle is for example of cylindrical shape, with no conical part at the end. The composite material can comprise glass in a proportion of between 50% and 90% by total weight of the material. It may also contain mica.

The needles can be made of titanium or platinum or a compound of titanium and platinum, or silver, or, stainless steel, or brass, or nickel or an alloy of these materials.

The means for applying a tension between two parts of the body of each needle comprise for example a first and a second plate, situated at two different heights along each sheath, and means making it possible to apply a high tension between these two plates.

An electrical supply device can be incorporated on one of these plates. Thus, the connections of the ionizer device to the outside are reduced, which reduces all the same the problems of micro-drafts of air or leakage from the outside to the inside of the device, and therefore the problems mentioned above. above in the introduction.

According to one embodiment, one of the plates integrates the assembly constituted by the high-voltage supply and the electronic means making it possible to apply this voltage along the body of each needle.

According to another particular embodiment, for a device comprising a plurality of needles, each needle can be surrounded by a sheath, the sheaths being joined two by two. This promotes mechanical maintenance of the needles and also avoids instabilities in ionic production, as well as production of parasitic compounds

The sheaths can thus be coupled two by two using a plate made of a material identical to that of the sheaths, the two sheaths and the plate being formed in one piece. This gives a very advantageous structure from the point of view. of industrial manufacturing

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a device for regulating a loniser device, further comprising means for regulating the tension applied between the two parts of the body of each needle, for example from a transformer or from a transmitter - regulator, thus the device offers the possibility of exercising a control of the ionic diffusion. The recording device can advantageously be of the type described above in the context of the present invention

According to a particular embodiment, the voltage regulation means include means for measuring a quantity of ions produced by the device, means for comparing this quantity of ions produced with a theoretical quantity required, and means for making vary the applied voltage depending on the result of the comparison of the quantity of ions produced and the quantity of ions required

The theoretical quantity of ions required can be determined from a corrected volume, taking into account the actual volume of the room in which the ion generating device is installed, as well as the content of the room and / or its environment.

Thus, a user can regulate the operation of a loniser device as a function of the environment thereof, for example human occupation and / or the furnishings and / or coatings on the walls of the premises, or again depending on the location of the room Such regulation can also be automatic, and this on an ad hoc or regular basis over time.

The means for varying the applied voltage can be automatic means, or manual means. The invention also provides an ion detector comprising:

- means for capturing ions or a quantity of ions in an atmosphere,

- means for signaling the presence of ions

- switching means, for switching the means for signaling the presence of ions as a function of the quantity of ions picked up by the means for picking up ions.

The switching means comprise for example a transistor biased by a voltage source when there is switching.

This detector can be used with the voltage regulation means described above.

Brief description of the figures

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better in the light of the description which follows. This description relates to the exemplary embodiments, given by way of explanation and without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows the structure of a device of the prior art

- Figure 2 shows the structure of a device according to the invention

- Figures 3A and 3B show the structure of an emissive needle that can be used in the context of a device according to the invention

- Figure 4 shows the structure of a pair of needles made integral

- Figure 5 shows the general structure of a device according to the invention, with its housing - Figure 6 shows the diagram of an electrical device incorporated in a device according to the invention

- Figure 7 represents the diagram of a control system of an ionizing device - Figure 8 represents a circuit of an ion measuring device

Detailed description of embodiments

A first embodiment of a device according to the invention will be explained, in connection with FIG. 2. This device comprises a needle, or point, emitting 40, essentially made of a noble material. This needle is preferably made of titanium, or platinum, or a compound of these two materials.

It is also possible to use a stainless metal or alternatively silver, stainless steel, brass or nickel, or an alloy of these materials, for example a brass-nickel or Silver-stainless alloy. However, it is titanium or platinum or a platinum-titanium mixture which ensures the best performance of the device, as will be explained below.

This needle has a cylindrical part 40-1, extended by a conical end 40-2

It is inserted in a cladding 42, made of a composite material based on unsaturated polyester, reinforced with glass fibers

Such a material may also comprise chlorophta resin that This material is formed for example by pultrusion

The material of the sheath 42 contains, for example, a glass content of between 50 and 80% by weight of the composite material Its resistivity is approximately equal to 1 0 ¹² ohms.m

Physical, mechanical and electrical characteristics of this material are gathered for information in the following table I, respectively for solid bars and rods and for profiles The resistivity characteristics are obtained for example by ASTM D257 method.

The characteristics indicated may vary depending on the applications or realizations envisaged.

Table I

Dielectric materials, with resistivity between 10 ⁴ ohms.m and 10 ¹⁴ ohms m or between 10 ⁴ ohms.m and 10 ¹⁶ ohms.m can also be used It is also possible to add, to the basic composition of the cladding, mineral materials such as Mica, which reinforce the dielectric properties.

The needle-cladding assembly is associated with means making it possible to establish an intense electric field at the end of the needle, or making it possible to establish a potential difference along the needle, the field or the difference of potential being sufficient to allow the production of electrons by the emissive point.

The drawdown of the zero potential lines along the cladding 42 is ensured without the presence of conical structures

Preferably, these means, which make it possible to establish an intense electric field at the end of the needle, or which make it possible to establish a potential difference along the needle, comprise first and second plates 44, 46 between which an appropriate potential difference is established.

The sheath 42 of composite material then makes it possible, in combination with the two plates 44, 46, to establish an appropriate tension along the body of the emissive needle. It ensures a controllable and modifiable electric field, of very high value, at the free end of each tip. The lowering of the equipotential is almost done on the outer surface of the sheath. This results in increased ion flux and a large reduction in the plasma confinement zone. In addition, emissions of peroxide-type products are reduced (ozone production to less than 1 part per billion).

The combination of the sheath made of composite material as defined above

- Above, and platinum or titanium needles, or a mixture of platinum and titanium, is particularly advantageous, since it allows to reach an optimum electric field, for a given supply voltage. Thus, the electronic flux emitted is reinforced and the yield of ionic production improved.

In addition, the flow obtained is emitted in a sustainable and stable manner.

Finally, the choice of this combination of materials significantly reduces the production of peroxide-type compounds or other parasitic or toxic compounds, as well as the side effects (effluvage).

The emissive needle 40 is fixed to the base plate 44 by welding 50 or crimping or by any other equivalent means making it possible to firmly hold the needle 40 on this plate.

An example of a needle shape that can be used is illustrated in Figure 3A. This needle comprises a cylindrical body 40-1, a conical end 40-2, and a fixing lug 41, for example also of cylindrical shape, and of diameter less than the diameter of the body 40-1.

A corresponding hole 47, of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the lug 41, is made in the plate 44. When the needle is positioned in the hole 47, the lug protrudes from the plate, for example by about 2 mm , in order to be able to produce a quality weld, allowing the needle to be held firmly. This weld 50 is shown in broken lines in Figure 3B. The plate 44 is then itself taken between the inner face 43 of the cylinder constituting the body 40-1 and the weld 50, on the other side of the plate 44.

Such a firm hold not only ensures stability of the needle, and therefore of the directions of electronic emission, but also avoids any circulation of micro-currents of air or atmosphere which would favor the creation of harmful species, for example of peroxides. Firm support also makes it possible, in addition to the intrinsic quality of the cladding design, to avoid any friction, creating electrostatic charges which disturb the proper functioning of the device. Thus, the function of welding is not only to maintain the needle, but also to isolate and seal the interior of the device from possible air circulation

The welding can be carried out by passing the plate 44 for supporting the needles to the wave. Thus a more homogeneous welding is obtained, and, moreover, the possibility of rupture of the welding points is reduced.

In general, any fixing means will also preferably provide, and for the same reasons, these firm holding functions, without friction or possible displacement, or even without possible air circulation, or even without mechanical effort.

As far as mechanical stresses are concerned, these can indeed have repercussions throughout the device and its casing, and therefore result in micro-leaks allowing air currents or circulations to pass or in frictions which create charges. static Air currents or friction, even very small, are sources of disturbance in the ionic production of the device In particular, the air flows favor the production of peroxide compounds and cause the creation of static charges which impede the quality and the importance of ion flux

At their end 40-2, the emissive tips can be covered with a gold film (shown in black in Figure 2), which strengthens the ability of the tip and the sheath to eliminate disturbing phenomena such as production of electrostatic charges, electromagnetic disturbances and the production of all peroxides or other toxic products This gold film can also be applied to the entire body of the needle.

The gold film, at the end 40-2 of the tip, the choices of the materials constituting the needle 40 and the sheathing 42 ensure electrical conductivity and ionic productivity without disturbance, and without crown effect. lateral

Thus the device can produce a very large ionic flux, continuously and stable

The reference 48 designates, in FIG. 2, a wall of a housing in which all the needles, their sheathing, and the plates 44, 46 can be incorporated. In the wall 48, an opening 52 is made, for example of conical shape, housing the end 40-2 of the emissive point

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the box can rest on the upper face 54 of the cladding 42 But, unlike the device described in document WO96 / 02966, the invention does not require the implementation of 'a plate such as plate 14 (see Figure 1), made of the same material as the sheath 10 and secured to the conical structure 12 and the sheath 10 This need, in the device of the prior art, a integral assembly complex to produce, imposes a very strong manufacturing constraint The device according to the invention, because no solidarity is necessary between the outer plate or wall 48 of the housing and the sheath 42, makes it possible to simplify assembly of the device This gain in assembly is all the more noticeable as the number of emissive tips is high The device according to the invention therefore brings a considerable simplification

In addition, the electrical properties resulting from the choice of the material of the sheath 42 and of the needle 40 in no way require a connection via an external resistor, of the type of resistor 24 in FIG. 1. The device is therefore, here again, simplified. Its safety is improved, since this eliminates the presence of an electrical conductor, which is very appreciable in an environment of high or very high voltages. Indeed, such a conductor is at the origin of various phenomena, in particular of electrical disturbance, which reduce the process of ionic production.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the emitting needles / tips have a length of the order of 18 mm to 32 mm, for example 30 mm. An average length of 24 mm is suitable in industrial implementation for a consumer product, for example in for an application to motor vehicles. The average diameter of each needle may be 1 mm, but may vary, depending on the needs of industrial production, between 0.8 and 1.8 mm or 2mm.

The needles are subjected, directly and without wired devices, to a high voltage supply of 4.3 to 6 kV. The emissive part of the conical section 40-2, is covered with a gold film and has a length of between 2 mm and 2.5 mm. According to an example, this part 40-2 has a length of 5.8 mm and is covered of a gold film over a length of 2.4 mm. The tip tip has a radius of a few micrometers.

The sheath 42 has for example an outside diameter of 6 mm. This sheath allows the passage of the needles 40 into its central cylindrical orifice. Preferably, this passage is effected by force, in order to avoid any friction when the needle is in position, any mechanical effect, and any passage of air creating phenomena. disturbing and electrostatic.

In general, the needle is preferably introduced into the sheath so as to avoid any passage of air between the sheath and the body 40-1 of the needle, which makes it possible to improve the ionic production, and in particular avoid the production of peroxides (NO _{x in} particular). The plate 48 of the housing, about 2.5 mm thick has for example an aperture of half-angle at the top substantially equal to 30 °, and of average depth 8 mm, but which can also be between 3 mm (or 5 mm ) and 15 mm.

A specific adhesive can be used to seal and insulate the needle in the sheath 42.

The first plate 44 is for example of composite material.

It has an insulating face and has for example a total thickness of 1.5 mm. The material used is completely integrated into this first plate and has a thickness of between 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm, the whole having a thickness of between approximately 1.5 mm and 2 mm. It cancels any fading emission towards the rear of the device.

The second plate is for example made of a composite material whose inner face is insulating and the upper face is conductive and connected to ground (zero potential of so!).

According to one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the sheaths of composite material are assembled two by two, by means of a plate 60 made of the same material as the sheaths. In practice, the two sheaths and the plate are formed in one piece. This structure makes it possible to strengthen the mechanical retention of the needles, and to ensure a constant distance between them. The stability of the emitted electron flux is improved, and the possibility of friction or displacement, even very small, is thus further reduced. The electronic supply of the device according to the invention can be a conventional supply, of the type described in document WO96 / 02966.

In general, the device according to the invention can operate at a voltage greater than 12 kV, for example between 6 kV and 12 kV, for industrial applications requiring high powers For other applications, in particular domestic or of the general public type (in particular in order to reduce the peroxide compounds and the phenomena of ozone creation in proportions less than or equal to 0.01 ppm), a voltage less than 6 kV may be sufficient, for example a voltage between 4 , 3 kV and 6 kV, or even less than 4.3 kV, for example 4.2 kV

According to a particular embodiment, it is possible to fix, on one of the plates 44, 46, the high voltage supply, as well as all of the electronic components allowing direct supply of this plate.

Thus, the electronic part and the needles are supplied directly, uniformly and permanently, which provides an equal high voltage emission over the entire device. A single control diode can then be integrated into the shell and the housing 48.

The voltage source therefore supplies a single plate, which accommodates the entire device and the electronic equipment.

This integration ensures very good isolation as well as very good security of the device with respect to its external environment, since it requires only a connection to the outside, for example by a "jack" type plug, integrated. also makes it possible to eliminate the presence of a wire element between the two plates, and to reduce the emission and the diffusion of static charges It therefore contributes to a much better ionic production Finally, it makes it possible to reduce the size of the whole device, so the contact surfaces with the atmosphere The contact with the sector can be made in a uniform way by monoblocks with European Union standards, integrating different types of voltages (from 6 to 380 V) and by adapting to different voltages and powers (for example from 40 to 60 Hz). The source thus integrated may include any number of emissive needles.

An example of a circuit developed to ensure this integration of the high voltage on one of the plates 44, 46 is given in FIG. 6. This circuit comprises a filter 70, an oscillating circuit 76, a transformer 78, and a set 80 of multiplier stages of tension. The references

72 and 74 respectively designate a power supply control circuit 72 and a voltage regulation (for example: 5 V) at the transformer primary.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the device is supplied by an external source voltage of between approximately 10 V and 25 V, the transformer supplies a voltage of approximately V1 = 200V, and the multiplier assembly delivers a voltage V2 of approximately 5 kV .

In FIG. 2, the multiplier assembly 80 is shown diagrammatically on the plate 46, the other electronic components integrated on this plate not being represented. The plate 46 is then an electronic card, the plate 44 being a needle support plate.

According to another example, the lower plate 44 supports the whole of the electronic card as well as the non-emissive bases of the needles, fixed for example by welding, and the sheaths of the needles.

It is this embodiment which is preferred, compared to that in which the electronic device is produced on the plate 46.

The second plate 46 is then distant, for example, at least 10 mm, and at most 14 mm, from the plate 44, and provides enhanced stability of the coaxial cladding, and therefore of the diffusion of the electrons emitted by the emissive point 40-2 of the needles 40. The face looking at the first plate 44 is treated to make it insulating. It strengthens the mechanical retention of the cladding, supporting needles / emissive points. This second plate 46 is for example made of a composite material whose inner face is insulating and the upper face is conductive and connected to ground (zero potential of the ground).

The electronic components used on the plate or power supply board can be of the CM type. S. (Components for Surface Mount).

The plate, on which the voltage source and the electronic components are integrated, may have been immersed in a qualified and normative bath for fixing the electronic assembly.

The whole of the reception box of the electronic device, of the electronic support cards and of the emissive points / needles, is preferably made of a material which is very weakly conductive, from the electrical point of view, and which produces low static charges, for example a material plastic, free of all metallic traces.

For human or animal use in close proximity, the material will preferably have a minimum resistivity of 10 ⁴ ohm.m, for example 10 ¹² ohm. m.

In general, the resistivity of this material is preferably between 10 ⁴ and 10 ¹² ohm. m.

The material chosen can be an ABS polyamide K6 or ABS polycarbonate material. It can be treated with anti-ultraviolet and / or anti-static additives, for example by adding filler either talc (more than 40%) or glass, or Mica, or a product of mineral origin . Preferably, a material will be retained whose resistance to temperature is greater than or equal to 120 ° C. The entire housing can be treated indoors using a so-called "antistatic" paint to reduce the electrical phenomena producing static charges, elements that are highly disturbing in the context of diffusion and isotropic ion emission d '' an intense flow of charges of one and / or the other sign, without emission of toxic compounds, under a voltage of moderate value.

The material of the housing can also be treated with additives giving it antistatic properties. Additional treatment with anti-static paint is no longer necessary.

For ionizers with a large number of emissive tips (for example: more than 24 tips), the housing is preferably made of pultruded composite material.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the housing 51 can consist of two shells which can be assembled using two screw wells 56 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 5).

This box can also ensure the maintenance of electronic cards and support for point / emissive needles. The two wells 56, of the same material as the two shells of the housing itself, can accommodate two screws 58, themselves made preferably of a plastic material. After closing, the screws are inaccessible and the wells can be closed, for example by labeling. Again, this closure eliminates a possible source of air micro-circulation, the effects of which have already been explained above.

For example, the screws may have a length of 2.5 to 3 mm, the assembly wells 56 having a depth of about 5.8 mm to 6.5 mm.

The division of the housing into two separate shells, machined in an assembly section and assembled by screws as described above is compatible with an industrial embodiment. The device can be provided with a grid 53 or a slot which allows the electronic flow to pass and provides a protective function. This grid or this slot is preferably integrated into the housing 51, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and made of the same material. It also makes it possible to reduce the air flows in the direct vicinity of the emissive end 40 - 2 of the tip 40, which makes it possible to further reduce the possible production of compounds of the peroxide type.

Provision may be made to add to the housing a collector for sedimentation of all the dust, and / or germs and / or particles deposited by precipitation or sedimentation due to the action of the ionizer. This collector can for example accommodate filters that can be changed or cleaned or self-cleaning filters.

The ionizing device according to the invention, by the design of the sheathing, of the needles, of their assembly, and by the design of the housing, makes it possible to bring the number of needles to 24 or more (for example: 48, 96 or 192 tips ). Thus, it is much easier to process large volumes, with, in addition, a quality ionic emission, without creation of peroxide compounds, or influx of static charges.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ionic diffusion obtained from an ionizer device, and in particular from a device according to the invention, as described above, can be checked using a d 'ions which ensures a measurement, punctual or integrated, by secondary connection, for example using a connection integrated in the device.

Furthermore, for a given installation in a room, with a given environment, one can calculate the theoretical volume required of ions to be produced. To this end, a corrected total volume of the premises is calculated, taking into account not only the actual volume of the premises, but also one or more parameters among which:

- the nature of the floor (Ns) and / or the ceiling (Np), and / or the walls of the room (Nm); and or

- the presence, or not, of an air conditioning (CI), and / or ventilation (V), and / or heating (Ch) system; and or

- the presence of furniture (M); and or

- the geographic location (S) of the premises; and or

- the presence, in the room, of photocopier (s) and / or television set (s) and / or Minitel (Mi) and / or computer (s) (O) and / or high-fidelity chain (Hf) and / or facsimile type (F) transmission / reception system (s), and / or

- the presence, in the premises, of people (Pe) and / or animals; we can also distinguish according to whether people smoke (Fu), or not.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the following formulas can be taken:

P = Ns + Np + Nm + Cl + V + Ch + M + S (1)

A = T + O + Hf + F + 6 x Pe + 6Fu (2)

where the various parameters have the values given in the tables below.

Type of soil

Ns = 0 Other

Table II

Nature of the Ceiling

ILT table

Nature of the Walls

Table IV

Air conditioner

Table V

Ventilation

00/7

26

V = 25 Yes

Table VI

Television and / or Photocopiers

VTI table

Computer

Table vπi

Minitel

Table IX

Paintings Nature of Furniture

Table XI

Situation of the Environment

Table xπ

Number of People

Table XHI

After applying formulas (1) and (2) above, the total corrected volume is calculated according to the formula:

V, = V _p + (1 + P / 100) + A

where V _p represents the actual physical volume of the room or room (length x width x height).

By expressing V _p in m ³ , V _t is obtained in m ³ . In fact, each of the coefficients expressed above adds a certain volume to the real physical volume V _p . For example, the presence of air conditioning requires adding 25/100 = 0.25 m ³ to V _p , while the presence of a person requires adding 6 m ³ to V _p . The calculation of V _t therefore expresses a corrected volume. The ion generating apparatus produces a certain quantity of ions, adapted to a certain volume, according to the applied voltage. This data is for example provided by the manufacturer of the ionizer. In the following is given an example in which an ionic emission of 4,000,000,000,000 negative ions / second makes it possible to treat on average a volume of approximately 80 to 100 m ³ of air.

After calculating V _tl it is possible to vary the applied voltage, therefore the volume of ions actually produced, to adapt the production to environmental conditions.

An example of a regulation system is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this figure, the reference 81 designates an ionizer device comprising one or more emissive tips 85, 86, 87. The calculations described above can be carried out separately, for example on a microcomputer 96 with the necessary calculation program; it can also be carried out remotely, the calculation program being loaded on a server 90 to which the user connects via a network 98. Finally, it can also be carried out directly by a microprocessor

94 designed and programmed specifically to calculate V _t and, optionally, P or A.

In all cases, the user supplies either the microcomputer 96 or the device 94 with the data on the various parameters, either in the form of answers to questions, or directly in the form of quantitative parameters; in the latter case, the user then already has at his disposal, in the form of a table, or in a memory space of the microcomputer 96, the above data.

The device 94 then performs the comparison of the data supplied by the ion meter 82 with the required volume of ions, itself deduced from V _t and emits, depending on the result of this comparison, a voltage comparison signal. The device incorporates for example a variator acting, among other things, at the base of the emitting needles / tips. It can be either a push button with 3 positions corresponding to maximum, intermediate, minimum use, or a wheel without encryption having the same function. There can also be adaptation and incorporation at the level of the primary transformer, or integration of a transistor intended for this use.

Alternatively, several individual ionizers are arranged in the same room and, depending on the result of the comparison, one or more additional ionizers are activated, or else stopped.

Finally, according to another embodiment, the user calculates, for example using the microcomputer 96, the volume V _t and himself modifies, by hand, the operating voltage of the ionizer or the number of ionizers operating. Thus, the ionic production power can be modulated according to the needs of the user, for example from data supplied by the manufacturer of the device.

An example of an ion meter which can be used as a meter 81 is illustrated in FIG. 8. It comprises three transistors 100, 102, 104, three resistors 106, 108, 110, an antenna 112 (used as a sensor), a diode 114 (LED), a switch 126.

The ions accumulate on the antenna, causing a minimal negative current 11 passing through the base of the transistor 100. A capacitor

116 forms with resistor 106 an RC network which eliminates any rapid fluctuation.

When 11 is large enough, the transistor 100 switches on. There is connection of the negative terminal of the battery 120 on the base of the transistor

102, which becomes polarized and leads in turn.

The base of transistor 104 is associated with the positive terminal of the battery. When 104 is polarized, its collector is in series with the current limiting resistor 108 and potentiometer 110, causing conduction.

By switching on 108, a counter 122 (for example a 100 mA counter) indicates (non-linearly) the relative level of the ion flux, while the diode 114 (in series with the transmitter of 104) lights up to indicate the presence of ions.

In order to avoid any production of static charges, the circuit is enclosed in a plastic casing (for example in composite ABS obtained by pultrusion) loaded with talc or mica up to 45%. A 1.25 cm wide aluminum strip is attached to the side of the case and is connected to the circuit at the junction of the capacitor 116 and to the positive terminal of the battery 120. This aluminum strip serves as a point of ground to the circuit. It can also be replaced by a link to a fixed earth point. The device described above detects negative ions. By reversing the polarity of the transistors (NPN becomes PNP and vice versa), it can detect positive ions.

By way of example, the transistors 100, 102 are standard PN 2907 PNP model transistors, the transistor 106 is a standard PN 2222 NPN model, the resistors 106 and 108 have respective values of

100 Mohms and 10000 Ohms, potentiometer 110 has a value of 5000

Ohms, the capacitor 116 has a value of 470 pF, the battery 120 is a radio battery of 9 V.

The switch 126 is attached to the potentiometer 110. It is also possible to use a potentiometer provided with a switch.

The ion meter as just described makes it possible to detect the presence of ions in the air or the atmosphere and indicates their relative rate.

This ion meter can be used to regulate ionic production as illustrated in figure 7. It also makes it possible to check ionic leaks or to test static charges (for example on clothing or neon tubes or plastic containers) and can therefore be used independently of the circuit in Figure 7.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to restore the ionic balance and to restore the healthiness of a place or a site.

It can be applied to very diverse fields, and notably domestic, or industrial.

Examples of particularly advantageous applications relate to the food industry (livestock farming of all kinds) or food preservation (refrigerators and refrigerated cabinets fixed or mobile, portable or not). The invention applies in particular in the field of vacuum preservation, replacing chlorine treatments, as well as in the field of product preservation in general. It applies in particular to the conservation of so-called "4 ^βmβ category" products, fish products, canned fish and seafood.

Other examples of applications relate to the air conditioning, ventilation and ventilation sectors in horizontal or vertical, centralized or individual residential sites, in office sites and platforms, IT platforms, clean rooms, public or private hospitals, pharmaceutical sites, gray and white airlocks in industrial, pharmaceutical, hospital (public or private) environments, and in general in any laboratory, any nursery or children's home retirement.

It also finds application to vehicles for land, air, rail or sea transport. Applications should be added that directly relate to human and animal life, in order to treat respiratory, or allergic, atmospheric or other conditions. It also makes it possible to treat the problems and phenomena linked to infections, to quartz silica, to asbestos, to mites, to the distributions, by direct or indirect atmospheric routes, of bacterial or viral emissions.

It also makes it possible to treat or have an influence on the phenomena linked to disturbances of static charges or electromagnetic fields.

It is also possible, thanks to the device according to the invention, to produce ions while avoiding any creation or any production of various compounds of the peroxide type, of an aggressive nature for all human life, in a closed or semi-open environment, and / or production or emission of a toxic nature for all human life, in a closed or semi-open enclosure, such as ozone (O ₃ ) or nitrogen oxide (NO _x ) or carbon monoxide or other derivatives.

Furthermore, the regulation process implemented in combination with the device according to the invention makes it possible to restore the ionic balance and to restore the healthiness of any place thanks to the evaluation of the necessary ionic emission, as a function of the installation of the apparatuses, in order to treat the air of the site or of the enclosure equipped with the device according to the invention.

In particular, it is thus possible to ensure homogeneous and / or localized distribution, according to a manual or remote control, continuously or intermittently, in an almost perfect isotropic manner, and according to a predetermined and estimated and calculated ionic production, in to restore the atmospheric healthiness of the air in the target location. Examples of more detailed applications will be given below.

Example I. A first example relates to a study of the efficiency of the ionizer in a gray airlock for filling men (this is a unit of the pharmaceutical industry).

The device used, in accordance with the description above, has an ionic emission of 4,000,000,000,000 negative ions / second, making it possible to treat on average 80-100 m ³ of air.

The device was placed in the men's gray airlock. Strong microbial air contamination had been noted in this airlock for several weeks.

Checks were carried out before the installation of the ionizer, as well as during use of the ionizer.

Particulate checks are carried out with a METONE 217 particle counter, serial number 92 22 51 47 MM, equipped with an isokinetic probe. The controls are carried out during the activity period. This applies to particulate checks. In addition, bacteriological checks were carried out. These are general air and surface controls (sinks and floors). They were carried out in the same way as routine samples during the operation of the device, and with an RCS for general air and agar type 'count-tact' for surfaces.

With regard to the particular results, the comparison of the averages made makes it possible to establish that the results are significant.

A drop in the particulate activity was noted during the operation of the apparatus: on approximately 150 measurements, the activity passes, for the particles with 0.5 micrometers, from 674 to 120 on average; for particles at 5 micrometers, from 19 to 6 on average. So there is: - an 82% decrease in activity for particles larger than 0.5 micrometers

- 68% for particles larger than 5 micrometers.

In addition, it is observed that the maximum number of particles counted before the use of the ionisate is 15,543 for particles of size greater than or equal to 0.5 micrometers. It is 201 for particles larger than or equal to 5 micrometers.

These maxima, with operation of the ionizer, are no more than:

- 2022 for particles larger than 0.5 micrometers

- 112 for particles larger than 5 micrometers. There is therefore indeed a decrease in particulate activity.

With regard to the bacteriological results, here again, the comparison of the means makes it possible to establish that the results are significant.

A sharp drop in microbial contamination of general air is observed: we go from an average of 660 germs / m ³ to around 130 germs / m ³ , a decrease of 80%.

The% of measurement above the limits, for the general air of the gray airlock, goes from 68.5% to 20%.

It seems that microbial contamination is greatly reduced when the device is in operation.

Consequently, the ionizing device according to the invention is effective in reducing the particulate activity and the contamination of the general air, even if it does not completely eliminate them. Described above for a pharmaceutical production unit, it can just as easily be applied, and just as advantageously, to a computer equipment room. Example II.

This example concerns the effect of an ionizer in a delivery room.

The treated volume is 1200 m3 and 7 devices according to the invention were installed in the room.

The controls were carried out by a bio-hygienist technician, when the room was at rest and out of any human presence, on April 9, 1998 (day D0 before installation of the equipment) and on April 10 and 11, 1998 (respectively days J1 and J2)

The particle counting device used is of the "MET ONE" type

227 ", with a flow rate of 2.8 liters / minute, and a sampling time of one minute. This device was installed at the center point of the room.

For aero bio-contamination measurements, the device used was of the "SAMPL'AIR" type, with a flow rate of 100 liters / minute and a sampling time of 10 minutes. This device was also installed at the central point of the room.

The results of particle counting, microbiological surface control and aerobic bio-contamination are given in the tables below, respectively.

0/74188 37

Table XIV

Table XV

Table XVI

The results on D1 and D2 show a clear decrease:

- the particulate rate

- and the number of PNC / m ³

The results on D2 concerning the contamination of the surfaces do not confirm these conclusions. In fact, it is not known whether the samples were taken under the same bio-cleaning conditions.

Example III.

This example concerns the air treatment of a box which houses a sport and racing horse. A racehorse lives more than 20 hours a day in his box, which is an accommodation of about 3.5 meters by 3 meters of floor space. In principle, it is cleaned every day, early in the morning, and it is a place where a lot of dust and germs are concentrated.

Several horses with different disorders were placed inside a box fitted with ionizers as described above. More specifically, examples will be given concerning horses exhibiting a persistent cough, symptoms of epistaxis, and symptoms of deformity.

First, three horses with a persistent cough out of their box in the morning were observed. These animals had already received all the medications usually used in such cases. All three were vaccinated against equine influenza and rhinopneumonia, more frequently than required by the Racing Code and the dosages indicated by the laboratories. It has been observed that when a device according to the invention is used in a box, the cough disappears and that, three weeks later, the clinical symptoms have completely disappeared.

When the devices had to be stopped, in order to take samples of dust fixed on the needles, the symptom of cough reappeared in a few days. Then, it disappeared again when the animal was put back in the presence of the device.

Regarding the symptoms of epistaxis, it seems that the negative ions strengthen the tone of the hair cells of the bronchi and bronchioles. They also appear to increase the resistance of the alveolar cells.

There has been a regression and disappearance of the hemorrhagic phenomena, due to the fragility of the alveolar cells, on a horse which had been placed, for his cough, in the presence of the apparatus.

For the study of behavior, a perfectly healthy, but claustrophobic stallion was kept in a box in the presence of the device according to the invention. Usually, the animal has been showing signs of permanent agitation for a long time in its box.

In a few weeks, the stallion's behavior was markedly improved. He stopped shaking in his box. The same observation could be made for training horses under treatment.

Regarding the shape of the horses, we have seen, from time to time, an improvement in the performance of racehorses.

The various observations reported above show that a device according to the invention can intervene, very effectively, in the horse's habitat. It can also be advantageously applied to a carriage for transporting an animal such as a horse.

In general, the device according to the invention can also intervene very effectively in the habitat of any animal, and in particular chickens, ducks, turkeys, or rabbits.

The invention therefore also relates to an animal cabin provided with an ionizer device as described above, for example a cage made of plastic (or polymer or composite) material provided with such an ionizer, for example for chickens, or ducks, or turkeys, or rabbits, or other small animals (dogs, cats, ...).

Example IV.

This example relates to the treatment of air in the environment of pig breeding, the air treatment being carried out by an ionizing device according to the invention.

The measurement operations were carried out on two pig-breeding and fattening pigsty sites.

On the first site, the production cycle is based on three weeks:

- a first week of sow breeding

- a second week of sow delivery

- and a third week of weaning piglets, 28 days old. This type of production makes it possible to compare the results obtained in a treated room with those obtained in an untreated room of the same band.

The second site concerns a weekly production work cycle. Each week, there are projections, parturitions, and weanings which are carried out at 21 days.

This second type of production does not allow the results obtained in other rooms to be compared at the same time; they can only be compared with the results obtained on past tapes, at the same stages of production. First production site:

Air treatment ramps, or devices according to the invention, were installed on August 31, 1998, in the pig breeding maternity. The operation was completed on September 28, 1998.

The atmosphere of the room seems better, but no notable health result could be attributed to the treatment in progress.

The nursery is also equipped with devices according to the invention. We could see an improvement in the atmosphere and a reduction in odors.

The direct technical results are good, since we have been able to observe a significant gain in weight over a short period of barely 21 days, and this during a very sensitive period (weaning, abandonment of the mother, change of context,. ..).

The difference with the figures from the previous four bands shows the importance of the differences, since we could see a total weight gain, per piglet, of 810g and a daily average weight gain (GMQ), per animal, of 49g . In addition, there has been a reduction in coughing and sneezing, which suggests better health and better respiratory capacity.

In the post-weaning phase, on 146 piglets, we found an average exit weight of 34.430 kg, for an average age of 74.9 days and a GMQ of 519 g. The breeder's assessment of the quality of the lot is good: there is no disparity in the lot,

- the pigs are homogeneous,

- and they are growing steadily. The results of the various tests are summarized in Comparative Table XVII below.

Table XVπ

Second production site

In this second operating motherhood was equipped with devices ionizers September ^1, 1998, and sows it came September 3, 1998. There were rooms treated with ionization (with 23 sows per room) and untreated rooms (with 24 sows per room).

The technical results are collated in Table XVIII below.

Table XVIII

From a health point of view, nothing can be reported, which indicates a particular change attributable to air treatment.

The nursery room was equipped on October 7, 1998, and the animals entered it on October 8 or 9, 1998. The results relate to 528 piglets, weaned at 27 days.

The technical results are contained in Table XIX below.

Table XIX

From a health point of view, there is nothing to report with regard to coughing and sneezing.

The elements gathered do not seem sufficient to reveal a significant trend or interpretation.

A second measurement operation was carried out on the nursery on October 27, 1998.

The results of a box grouping together the smallest of the group were removed from the treated room. Indeed, the specific nature of this box would penalize the overall results established on 11 standardized boxes.

The technical results are collated in Table XX below.

Table XX

More gray diarrhea was noted in the treated room than in the control room, without specific explanations (the food and the temperature being the same). Without these few additional cases, a better difference in GMQ will no doubt have been noticed. From the technical point of view, we find practically the same very good results as those obtained in the first exploitation.

The tests carried out on the two farms show that, in a farming situation, the advantage of treating air by ionization. In general, there is a better atmosphere in the treated rooms: there are fewer polluting factors for the animals, but also for the breeders and the staff who work there.

Example V.

This example relates to the use of ionizing devices according to the invention in the food industry.

The main lines of study focused on 3 potential applications of ionizers in the food industry:

- ambient decontamination

- decontamination of surfaces - storage of foodstuffs.

In terms of surface decontamination, the tests carried out suggest that ionizing devices do not act on surfaces. Regarding the environmental decontamination, tests were carried out in a food preparation room with a volume of 80 m ³ .

This room simulates a food production workshop with its own characteristics: - flow of people and materials, - presence of numerous stainless steel equipment,

- cleaning and disinfection phase.

The tests were carried out with ionizers according to the invention, the monitoring of the microbial load being carried out by control on a Petri dish (with a non-selective medium of PCA type).

Preliminary tests were carried out in the room, without an ionizing device. The microbial load increases very significantly during periods of activity. This increase in contamination seems more particularly linked:

- the number of operators working in the workshop,

- the raw materials processed,

- the labor flow of material,

- environmental conditions (temperature or humidity). A first series of tests made it possible to test the efficiency of 1 to 4 ionizers in the room.

A week of beats, without an ionizing device in operation, is established before each modification of the study conditions. The ionizers were placed in the same place, on the wall, opposite to an extractor hood.

The results are collated in Table XXI below.

For weeks 1 to 2 and 3 to 4, no control / test difference is to be noted.

For weeks 5 and 6, there is a tendency to reduce the load more quickly after activity.

A very limited effect of ionizing devices is observed on the microbial load. Outside of activity, we can see a more rapid downward trend in environmental contamination. An accumulation of particles forming a black deposit is also observed around the ionizing devices. A second series of tests was carried out. During this series of tests, the arrangement of the ionizing devices was modified: these were placed on the walls of the room. It was then possible to observe that there was an effect of capture of microparticles in the air, but no bactericidal effect could be demonstrated.

In terms of food storage, tests were carried out on food stored in an enclosure at + 4 ° C, with and without an ionizing device.

We noticed a better stability of the beef color, measured with the Minolta chromameter. Better color stability has also been observed for certain fruits (bananas, tomatoes), over a period of 72 hours.

The pH of tomatoes stored in an ionized atmosphere also seems to have stabilized.

Example VI

This example concerns the use of ionizing devices according to the invention, and the emission of negative ions, for the conservation of fresh fish.

The tests were carried out on sardines and smelt.

An ionizer according to the invention was introduced into a refrigeration enclosure (enclosure 1) maintained at 4 ° C. and with an average humidity of 75%. The ionizer was installed one day before the start of the tests.

Another refrigeration enclosure (enclosure 2), of the same volume and maintained under the same temperature and humidity conditions was not provided with an ionizing device.

Ten fish were used for the tests. They were bought just before the experiment, kept in ice and cut in half.

Half of each fish was then placed in enclosure 1 and the other half in enclosure 2. The halves of fish were thus kept for 5 days, without intervention.

A first test (chemical test) was carried out.

The kit used ("Fresh tester FTP II" (FT302), brand TRANSIA) allows to know the state of freshness of the fish. This kit measures the total quantity K of ATP degradation products: H _X R + H _x

K (%) = 100

ATP + ADP + AMP + MP + H _X R + _X

In the numerator of this expression, H _X R + H _X represents the amount of Inosine (H ^ R) and hypoxanthine (H _X ) resulting from the decomposition of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). The denominator is successively the amounts of ATP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and inosine mono-phosphate (IMP), as well as the quantities H ^ R and H _x .

K is inversely proportional to the state of freshness of the fish.

The kit comes in the form of a test strip tube, a vial of extraction buffer and a K reading chart. A sample of dorsal muscle of a fish to be tested, skin-free , is taken, to which an amount of buffer is added. From the mixture obtained, an extract is produced, in which a test strip can be dipped.

The tests carried out on the fish stored in the manner described above show a slowing down of the degradation of the fish of enclosure 1.

In particular, the pieces of sardines from enclosure 1 are 10 to 25% less degraded than those from enclosure 2.

The smelt pieces from enclosure 2 are 10 to 20% more degraded than those from enclosure 1. A second test (sensory test) was carried out.

It is more subjective, but we can clearly see that the fish kept under ionization are in a better general condition (better appearance, less strong odor, fresher texture, drying and hardening of the flesh much less pronounced).

These tests show that the conservation of fresh fish, or seafood in general, can be improved by using an ionizing device according to the invention.

The number of ionizers to use and the production flow of negative ions to use depends on the volume of the storage enclosure and the mass of fish to be kept.

The invention therefore also relates to a method of storing food, in which the food is kept in an enclosure provided with one or more ionizing devices according to the invention. In particular, it is possible to produce cabinets or refrigerated cabinets, or cold rooms, or refrigerators, or refrigerated display cases or display cases provided with an ionizing device, preferably with an ionizing device according to the invention.

Example VII

According to the invention, it is also possible to apply a device as described above to the production of bagged foodstuffs under vacuum.

Up to now, the bagging technique used has consisted of passing the goods through a tunnel, or chain, and treating them with chlorinated products for storage. Then the food is bagged under vacuum.

According to the invention, a treatment with oxygen ions O ^" advantageously replaces the treatments with chlorinated products.

The foodstuffs are therefore transported on a carpet or by a transport chain to a tunnel where ionizing devices according to the invention are installed. The production of ions O ^" can be regulated there by a system such as that described above in connection with FIG. 7. Then the bagging operations take place, as they are currently known.

Claims

claims

1. Device for generating ions in a gaseous medium, characterized in that it comprises:

- one or more needles (40, 85, 86, 87), having a body (40 - 1) and an emissive end (40 - 2)

- a sheath (42) of composite material comprising an unsaturated polyester, reinforced with glass fibers, which surrounds the body (40 - 1) of each needle - means (44, 46, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) to apply tension between two parts of the body of each needle.

2. Device according to claim 1, the sheath (42) being of cylindrical outer shape.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, one or more needles being made of titanium or platinum or a compound of titanium and platinum, or silver, or stainless steel, or brass, or nickel or an alloy of these materials.

4. Device for generating ions in a gaseous medium, characterized in that it comprises:

- one or more needles (40, 85, 86, 87), having a body (40-1) and an emissive end (40 - 2), each needle being made of titanium or platinum or a compound of titanium and platinum , - a sheath (42) of composite material comprising an unsaturated polyester, reinforced with glass fibers, which surrounds the body (40 - 1) of each needle

- Means (44, 46, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for applying a tension between two parts of the body of each needle.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, each emissive end (40 - 2) being covered with a gold film.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, the composite material comprising glass in a proportion of between 50% and 90% by total weight of the material.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, the composite material further comprising mica.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, each needle (40) being held firmly in the sheath (42) which surrounds it, without the possibility of friction or displacement.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, the means for applying a tension between two parts of the body of each needle comprising first and second plates (44, 46), located at two different heights along each sheath made of composite material, and means (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) for applying a high voltage between these two plates.

10. Device according to claim 9, one of the two plates (44) forming a support for each needle (40), which is held firmly, without the possibility of friction.

11. Device according to claim 10, one of the two plates being provided with an integrated high voltage source (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80).

12. Device according to claim 11, the integrated high voltage source comprising means for producing a first voltage (V1), and means for multiplying this first voltage in order to obtain the desired high voltage (V2).

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, the high voltage source being produced with SMD components

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a plurality of needles, each needle being surrounded by a sheath, the sheaths being secured two by two.

15. Device according to claim 14, the sheaths being coupled two by two using a plate (60) made of a material identical to that of the sheaths.

16. Device according to claim 15, the two sheaths and the plate being formed in one piece.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, this device being incorporated in a housing (51) of plastic material.

18. Device according to claim 17, the plastic material being discharged of any metallic trace.

19. Device according to one of claims 17 or 18, the material having a resistivity between 10 ⁴ and 10 ¹² ohm.m.

20. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, the interior of the housing being treated with an antistatic paint.

21. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, the material of the housing being treated with additives giving it antistatic properties.

22. Device according to one of claims 17 to 21, the housing comprising two shells, and screw wells (56).

23. Device according to claim 22, further comprising means for closing the screw wells (56) after assembly of the two shells.

24. Device according to one of claims 1 to 23, further comprising means (82, 94) for regulating the tension applied between the two parts of the body of each needle.

25. Device according to claim 24, the voltage regulation means comprising means (82) for measuring an amount of ions produced by the device, means (94) for comparing this amount of ions produced with a theoretical amount necessary, and means for varying the applied voltage according to the result of the comparison of the quantity of ions produced and the quantity of ions required.

26. Device according to claim 25, the theoretical quantity of ions required being determined from a corrected volume, taking into account the actual volume of the room in which the ion generating device is installed, as well as the content of the room. and / or its environment.

27. Device according to claims 24 or 25, the means for varying the applied voltage being automatic means, or manual.

28. Device according to one of claims 24 to 27, comprising an ion detector itself comprising:

- means (112) for capturing ions or a quantity of ions in an atmosphere,

- means (1 14, 122) for signaling the presence of ions - switching means (100 -1 10) for switching the means for signaling the presence of ions as a function of the quantity of ions picked up by the means (112) for capturing ions.

29. Device according to claim 28, the switching means (100 - 1 10) comprising a transistor (104) biased by a voltage source when there is switching.

30. Use of one or more ionizing devices according to one of claims 1 to 29 for the manufacture of a fixed or mobile passenger compartment for animals.

31. Use of one or more ionizing devices according to one of claims 1 to 29 for the production of an animal cage.

32. Use according to claim 32, the cage being made of plastic or of composite polymer material.

33. Use of a receptacle provided with a device according to one of claims 1 to 29 for the production of a food storage device.

34. Use according to claim 33, the receptacle being a refrigerator, or a refrigerated cabinet or a display case.

35. Use of an ionization device according to one of claims 1 to 29, to produce a transport device.

36. Use according to claim 35, the transport device being a motor vehicle or rail or aircraft.

37. Process for vacuum bagging foodstuffs, comprising the following steps:

- Producing one or more negative oxygen ion flows using a device according to one of Claims 1 to 29

- subject the foodstuffs to be bagged to this ion flow

- bag foodstuffs under vacuum.

38. Method for storing foodstuffs, in which the foodstuffs are stored in a room equipped with an ionizing device according to one of the claims 1 to 29, and in that a negative ion flow is produced using this ionizing device.

39. Method for storing foodstuffs according to claim 38, the foodstuffs being meat or fish or vegetables.

40. A method of treating the atmosphere of a room, in which a device according to one of claims 1 to 29 is used.

41. The method of claim 40, the room being a gray or white airlock, or a clean room, or a computer room or equipped with computer or electronic equipment, or a hospital room.

42. The method of claim 40, the room being an animal breeding area.

43. The method of claim 40, the room being a food production area or workshop.