Device for supplying with electric energy a sensor that has a high electric potential
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a device for supplying with electric energy a sensor that has a high electric potential and that is used in an enameling line. Said device comprises a light source ( 1 ) that has a low electric potential, especially earth potential. Said light source ( 1 ) is linked, via an optical waveguide ( 4 ), with a light receiver ( 2 ) in which a converter ( 3 ) is disposed which converts the optical energy to electric energy. The light receiver ( 2 ) has the same high potential as the sensor and supplies the latter with the electric energy obtained from the light. This is preferably done via an accumulator ( 8 ) that is continuously recharged with the power generated by the converter ( 3 ). The invention allows therefore for a practically unlimited service life of sensors in enameling lines.
1. A device for supplying electrical energy to a sensor which is at a high electrical voltage in painting systems, the device comprising:
a light source which is at a low electrical potential substantially equal to the earth's electrical potential;
a light receiver in which a converter converting light energy into electrical energy is provided, which is electrically connected to the sensor and is at the high potential of the sensor; and,
an optical waveguide which connects the light source to the light receiver.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the converter is a solar cell.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide is formed by a bundle of optical fibres.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the light receiver has a housing in which is a transparent plate, into which the ends of the fibres of the optical waveguide are fed, is arranged in the vicinity of a side wall, all the internal surfaces of the housing which the light emerging from the transparent plate can reach being provided with a reflective layer.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the transparent plate is a plastic plate.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the reflective layer consists of aluminum foil.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the light receiver contains a converging lens by which the light emerging from the end face of the optical waveguide is essentially collimated and thus guided onto the converter.
8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an accumulator which is constantly charged by the voltage being generated by the converter.
9. The device of claim 2 , wherein the optical waveguide is formed by a bundle of optical fibres.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the light receiver has a housing in which is a transparent plate, into which the ends of the fibres of the optical waveguide are fed, is arranged in the vicinity of a side wall, all the internal surfaces of the housing which the light emerging from the transparent plate can reach being provided with a reflective layer.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the transparent plate is a plastic plate.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the reflective layer consists of aluminum foil.
13. The device of claim 4 , wherein the reflective layer consists of aluminum foil.
14. The device of claim 2 , wherein the light receiver contains a converging lens by which the light emerging from the end face of the optical waveguide is essentially collimated and thus guided onto the converter.
15. The device of claim 3 , wherein the light receiver contains a converging lens by which the light emerging from the end face of the optical waveguide is essentially collimated and thus guided onto the converter.
16. The device of claim 9 , wherein the light receiver contains a converging lens by which the light emerging from the end face of the optical waveguide is essentially collimated and thus guided onto the converter.
17. The device of claim 2 further comprising an accumulator which is constantly charged by the voltage being generated by the converter.
18. The device of claim 3 further comprising an accumulator which is constantly charged by the voltage being generated by the converter.
19. device of claim 4 further comprising an accumulator which is constantly charged by the voltage being generated by the converter.
20. The device of claim 6 further comprising an accumulator which is constantly charged by the voltage being generated by the converter.