Remote sensor for controlling ionization systems

Abstract

Ionizers are monitored and controlled by a small remote sensor that can read the same as a charge plate monitor located at a different location. Balance amplification to compensate for the remote sensor's small size maintains accuracy. Balance and swing are measured directly. Balance pre-amplification, smoothing, and remote offset correlation is accomplished with signal-processing modules based on historical data. The signal-processing modules are embedded into a microprocessor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic that shows the invented remote sensor receiving air ions from one or more ionizers. Information on balance and swing and are fed back to the ionizer power supply(s) through an intermediate controller module.

FIG. 2 is a schematic that shows the front end of the signal processing flow.

FIG. 3 diagrams the three signal-processing modules, which are executed by the microprocessor.

FIG. 4 shows correlation of the raw output data signal for a charge plate monitor and the invented sensor. The values for swing and balance correlate accordingly.

Claims

1. A method of using a remote sensor to monitor and adjust ionizers comprising: (a) receiving air ions from an ionizer to generate a combined analog balance and swing signal;(b) passing said combined analog balance and swing signal through an analog pre-amplifier to produce an amplified balance signal and a non-amplified swing signal;(c) digitizing said amplified balance signal and said non-amplified swing signal;(d) separating said amplified balance signal from said non-amplified swing signal with an accumulator function;(e) matching said remote sensor readings to known readings at a different location from said remote sensor.

2. Claim 1 where said receiving step (a) is performed with a remote sensor plate.

3. Claim 2 where said remote sensor plate is connected to a low-impedance, low capacitance pre-amplifier.

4. Claim 1 where said passing step (b) uses an analog pre-amplifier with an adjustable gain.

5. Claim 1 where said digitizing step (c) uses an analog-to-digital converter contained within a microprocessor.

6. Claim 1 where said separating step (d) further digitally amplifies said amplified balance signal.

7. Claim 1 where said accumulator function in separating step (d) comprises an accumulator and a gain block.

8. Claim 1 where said accumulator function in separating step (d) comprises a feedback to an accumulator summing block.

9. Claim 1 where said matching step (e) utilizes a balance matching function.

10. Claim 9 where said matching step (e) further utilizes said accumulator function.

11. Claim 1 which further comprises a smoothing function.

12. Claim 11 where said smoothing function utilizes a low pass filter.

13. Claim 12 where said low pass filter comprises a single tap IIR filter.

14. Claim 1 where said accumulator function is executed by a microprocessor.

15. Claim 9 where said balance matching function is executed by a microprocessor.

16. Claim 1 where said known readings in matching step (e) are measured with a charge plate monitor.

17. A remote sensor for monitoring and adjusting ionizers comprising: (a) a remote sensor plate;(b) an analog pre-amplifier; and(c) a microprocessor

18. Claim 17 where said remote sensor plate is connected to said pre-amplifier with a wire or antenna.

19. Claim 17 where said analog pre-amplifier comprises a low impedance transductance amplifier and an adjustable gain controller.

20. Claim 17 where said microprocessor is programmed with a balance matching function.

21. Claim 17 where said microprocessor is programmed with an accumulator function.

22. Claim 17 where said microprocessor is programmed with both an accumulator function and a balance matching function.

23. Claim 17 where said microprocessor is programmed with a smoothing function.

24. Claim 17 where said microprocessor contains an analog-to-digital converter.

25. Claim 24 where said analog-to-digital converter is connected to the output of said analog pre-amplifier.

26. Claim 17 which further includes a 60 Hz digital filter

27. Claim 26 where said 60 Hz digital filter is specified for 30 to 70 db of immunity to 60 Hz hum.

28. Claim 17 where balance and swing measurements are deliverable in digital format.