The invention includes a flat-panel-display (FPD) manufacturing machine which utilizes x-rays for electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of a FPD when lifting the FPD off of a table during manufacture of the FPD. The invention also includes a method of electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of an FPD.

The invention includes a flat-panel-display (FPD) manufacturing machine which utilizes x-rays for electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of a FPD when lifting the FPD off of a table during manufacture of the FPD. The invention also includes a method of electrostatic dissipation of a bottom side of an FPD.

A method and system for reducing static charges on a material. X-rays can ionize a flowing fluid. The ions can be transported to the material and can reduce or dissipate the static charges.

A method and system for reducing static charges on a material. X-rays can ionize a flowing fluid. The ions can be transported to the material and can reduce or dissipate the static charges.

Automatic emitter point cleaners are disclosed. An automatic emitter point cleaning system includes: a fan configured to direct a stream of air through an air path; a point emitter configured to produce at least one of positive ions or negative ions within or proximate to the air path; a brush; a first gear coupled to the brush and configured to move the brush into contact with the point emitter; a second gear to engage the first gear; and a motor to actuate the second gear such that the second gear actuates the first gear to move the brush past the point emitter.

The invention relates to an emission tip assembly (100) on high-voltage electrodes for charging or discharging substrates, comprising at least one emission tip (1) and a carrier body (7) comprised of an insulating material, which has at least one high-resistance series resistor (13), wherein the at least one emission tip (1) can be connected to a high-voltage connection (14) by means of the series resistor (13). In order to have available an assembly of emission tips which, despite protrusion from the carrier body (7) thereof to an extent in principle and despite the metal profiled element (10, 10a) provided with the insulating potting mass (6), causes no injuries in the event of unintentional and intentional contact and thus permits safe handling together with high efficiency of the assembly, the emission tip (1) is formed of a spring metal and forms an elastic spring element, and a free end of the emission tip (1) is freely spaced apart from the carrier body (7), the particular metal profiled element (10, 10a) and the insulating potting mass (6), as a corona tip (2). In addition the range effect of a discharge electrode is improved by the guiding of an auxiliary air quantity (15) directly to the corona tip (2).

An instrument is provided which produces ionizing radiation. The instrument includes a high voltage source of charge and ionizing radiation. The instrument further includes a housing filled with insulating gas and containing the high voltage source. The instrument further includes an insulator to which the high voltage source is mounted so that the source is spaced from the housing. The instrument further includes one or more collector electrodes arranged in the housing such that the high voltage source preferentially discharges to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes a control system which determines a level of ionization of the insulating gas through the amount of discharge to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes discharge rate limiting means controllable by the control system to deionize the insulating fluid at a controlled discharge rate and thereby maintain the maximum rate of discharge below a predetermined current. In this way, breakdown events can be inhibited.

An instrument is provided which produces ionizing radiation. The instrument includes a high voltage source of charge and ionizing radiation. The instrument further includes a housing filled with insulating gas and containing the high voltage source. The instrument further includes an insulator to which the high voltage source is mounted so that the source is spaced from the housing. The instrument further includes one or more collector electrodes arranged in the housing such that the high voltage source preferentially discharges to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes a control system which determines a level of ionization of the insulating gas through the amount of discharge to the collector electrode(s). The instrument further includes discharge rate limiting means controllable by the control system to deionize the insulating fluid at a controlled discharge rate and thereby maintain the maximum rate of discharge below a predetermined current. In this way, breakdown events can be inhibited.

An ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) protection component has: first and second discharge electrodes arranged so as to be opposed to each other through a gap; and a discharge inducing portion kept in contact with the first and second discharge electrodes and configured to connect the first and second discharge electrodes to each other. The discharge inducing portion has metal particles, a ceramic material containing glass, and a dielectric material having a dielectric constant higher than that of the ceramic material. A content of the dielectric material is in the range of 7.5 to 40% by volume, with respect to a total volume of the ceramic material and the dielectric material.

An ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) protection component has: first and second discharge electrodes arranged so as to be opposed to each other through a gap; and a discharge inducing portion kept in contact with the first and second discharge electrodes and configured to connect the first and second discharge electrodes to each other. The discharge inducing portion has metal particles, a ceramic material containing glass, and a dielectric material having a dielectric constant higher than that of the ceramic material. A content of the dielectric material is in the range of 7.5 to 40% by volume, with respect to a total volume of the ceramic material and the dielectric material.