ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH ADVANCED CONTROL FEATURES
An electrostatic device, for example, an electrostatic air cleaner, may be provided with a corona discharge electrode; a collecting electrode; a power source connected to the corona discharge electrode and to the collecting electrode; an electrical parameter sensor; and a power supply system. The control system may receive a signal from the electrical sensor. The control system evaluates the electrical performance of the system and initiates appropriate or corrective action.
1 . An electrostatic device comprising:
a corona electrode array;
a second electrode array associated with said corona electrode array;
a power source connected to said corona electrode array and to said second electrode array;
an electrical sensor connected to one of said corona electrode array and said second electrode array;
a power source controller connected to said power source and to said electrical sensor; and
wherein said power source controller is configured to:
(a) make a plurality of readings over a long time from said electrical sensor, store said readings, make a first evaluation of a plurality of said readings stored over a long time, and signal results of said first evaluation;
(b) make a plurality of readings over a medium time from said electrical sensor, store said readings over a medium time from said sensor, make a second evaluation of said readings over a medium time and adjust operation of said power source based on said second evaluation of said readings over said medium time, and
(c) make a plurality of readings of said electrical sensor and, in response to detection of a substantial change in said readings, substantially reduce an output of said power source and after a delay, restore said output of said power source.
2 . (canceled)
3 . (canceled)
4 . The electrostatic device according to claim 1 wherein said substantial change in said readings represents a spark or pre-spark condition.
5 . (canceled)
6 . The electrostatic device according to claim 4 wherein said second evaluation of said readings over a medium time frame is responsive to a change in environmental or operational conditions.
7 . (canceled)
8 . The electrostatic device according to claim 6 wherein said first evaluation of said plurality of said readings stored over a long time is responsive to a change in said readings indicative of a maintenance condition of said electrostatic device.
9 . The electrostatic device according to claim 8 wherein said power source controller is further configured to issue a maintenance signal.
10 . The electrostatic device according to claim 1 wherein said electrostatic device is an electrostatic air cleaner and wherein said second electrode array is a collecting electrode array.