A discharge device according to the present disclosure includes a discharge electrode and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage to the discharge electrode and thus causes discharge that is further developed from corona discharge at the discharge electrode. The discharge is discharge in which a discharge path is intermittently formed by dielectric breakdown so as to stretch from the discharge electrode to a surrounding. This discharge can be called leader discharge. This makes it possible to increase an amount of generated active component while keeping an increase of ozone small.

A discharge device according to the present disclosure includes a discharge electrode and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage to the discharge electrode and thus causes discharge that is further developed from corona discharge at the discharge electrode. The discharge is discharge in which a discharge path is intermittently formed by dielectric breakdown so as to stretch from the discharge electrode to a surrounding. This discharge can be called leader discharge. This makes it possible to increase an amount of generated active component while keeping an increase of ozone small.

An apparatus is provided for generating water droplets. The apparatus includes: a condensation rod for condensing water vapor in air surrounding the condensation rod on the condensation rod; a cooling device being in contact with the condensation rod for cooling the condensation rod; a discharge electrode group including a first electrode and a second electrode cooperating with each other, the first electrode and the second electrode being disposed laterally, and the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on both sides of the condensation rod; and a high voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode group to generate a high voltage corona between the first electrode and the second electrode; where the discharge electrode group applies the high voltage corona to the condensation rod, so that condensed water on the condensation rod is excited by the high voltage corona to form atomized water droplets.

An apparatus is provided for generating water droplets. The apparatus includes: a condensation rod for condensing water vapor in air surrounding the condensation rod on the condensation rod; a cooling device being in contact with the condensation rod for cooling the condensation rod; a discharge electrode group including a first electrode and a second electrode cooperating with each other, the first electrode and the second electrode being disposed laterally, and the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on both sides of the condensation rod; and a high voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode group to generate a high voltage corona between the first electrode and the second electrode; where the discharge electrode group applies the high voltage corona to the condensation rod, so that condensed water on the condensation rod is excited by the high voltage corona to form atomized water droplets.

An electrospray generator includes a first electrode, a reservoir of liquid adjacent the first electrode, at least one wick having one end in the reservoir in contact with the liquid, a second electrode spaced a distance away from the wick, and a power source connected to one or more of the first and second electrodes. A method of generating a spray including inserting first ends of one or more wicks into a reservoir of liquid, the reservoir having a base electrode adjacent the liquid, positioning one or more offset electrodes at distance from second ends of the one or more wicks, and applying a voltage to at least one of the base electrode and the one or more offset electrodes to create an electric field, the electric field causing the liquid to move through the one or more wicks and form droplets in a spray.

An apparatus is provided for generating water droplets. The apparatus includes: a condensation rod for condensing water vapor in air around the condensation rod on the condensation rod, the condensation rod being a cylinder that is rotationally symmetric about a central axis, and a circumferential surface of the cylinder being a condensing surface for aggregating condensed water; a cooling device being in contact with the condensation rod for cooling the condensation rod; an atomizing electrode; and a high voltage power supply for applying a high voltage to the atomizing electrode, and causing the condensed water on the condensation rod to be excited by a high pressure corona to form atomized water.

Effective component generation device includes internal component and case. Internal components include discharger that generates an effective component. Case is formed in a box shape having discharge port through which an effective component is discharged, and houses internal components. Case includes metal body including a bottom plate and peripheral walls surrounding at least discharger in internal component. Metal body has seamless portion at a corner portion between two surfaces of adjacent peripheral walls oriented in different directions. As a result, there is provided effective component generation device capable of suppressing electromagnetic noise radiated to the outside of case and reducing an influence of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

Effective component generation device includes internal component and case. Internal components include discharger that generates an effective component. Case is formed in a box shape having discharge port through which an effective component is discharged, and houses internal components. Case includes metal body including a bottom plate and peripheral walls surrounding at least discharger in internal component. Metal body has seamless portion at a corner portion between two surfaces of adjacent peripheral walls oriented in different directions. As a result, there is provided effective component generation device capable of suppressing electromagnetic noise radiated to the outside of case and reducing an influence of electromagnetic noise to the outside.

An electric discharge device according to the present disclosure includes a discharge electrode, a counter electrode, a voltage application circuit, and a liquid supply unit. The discharge electrode is a columnar electrode. The counter electrode faces the discharge electrode. The voltage application circuit applies an application voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. The liquid supply unit supplies liquid to the discharge electrode. The liquid extends and contracts along a central axis of the discharge electrode by discharge. The counter electrode includes a peripheral electrode part and a projecting electrode part. In a direction along the central axis of the discharge electrode, a tip of the liquid in a state in which the liquid extends is located at the same position as an outer peripheral edge of the peripheral electrode part or located closer to the discharge electrode than the outer peripheral edge.

Voltage application device includes voltage application circuit. Voltage application circuit applies a voltage to load including discharge electrode that holds liquid, voltage application circuit generating discharge in discharge electrode. During a drive period, voltage application circuit periodically changes a magnitude of the voltage applied to load at a drive frequency within a predetermined range including a resonance frequency of liquid, voltage application circuit mechanically vibrating liquid.