(12) STANDARD PATENT (11) Application No.

AU 2004205310 B2
(19) AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE

(54) Title
High voltage power supply

(51) International Patent Classification(s)

1/24 (2006.01) HO1J 49/04 (2006.01)
B03C 3/40 (2006.01) HO1T 19/00 (2006.01)
1/00 (2006.01) H01T 23/00 (2006.01)

(21) Application No: 2004205310 (22) Date of Filing: 2004.08.27

(43) Publication Date: 2004.09.23

(43) Publication Journal Date: 2004.09.23
(44) Accepted Journal Date: 2007.11.15

(62) Divisional of:

773626

(71) Applicant(s)
Igor Krichtafovitch;Robert Fuhriman Jr

(72) Inventor(s)
Fuhriman, Robert L;Krichtafovitch, Igor A

(74) Agent Attorney

Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, Level 43 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC,
3000

(56) Related Art

US 4567541
EP 925837
US 3582694
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23

ABSTRACT

A flexible top high voltage power supply, which comprises a base unit that
produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the output current of the
power supply. The power supply also comprises a second unit that produces an
output voltage which decreases with increasing output current from the power
supply, and a circuit for combining the voltages from the base unit and the second
unit.
 P/00/011
Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PatentsAct 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title: High voltage power supply

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best
method of performing it known to us:
004534702

1A
HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a high voltage power supply. One

application of interest for the power supply is to provide voltage to a device for
accelerating, and thereby imparting velocity and momentum to a fluid, especially
to air, through the use of ions and electrical fields.

Background Art

A number of patents (see, United States patent numbers 4,210,847

and 4,231,766) have recognized the fact that ions may be generated by an
electrode (termed the "corona electrode"), attracted (and, therefore, accelerated)
toward another electrode (termed the "attracting electrode"), and impart
momentum, directed toward the attracting electrode, to surrounding air molecules
through collisions with such molecules.

The corona electrode must either have a sharp edge or be small in size,
such as a thin wire, in order to create a corona discharge and thereby produce in
the surrounding air ions of the air molecules. Such ions have the same electrical
polarity as does the corona electrode.

Any other configuration of corona electrodes and other electrodes where

the potential differences between the electrodes are such that ion-generating
corona discharge occurs at the corona electrodes may be used for ion generation
and consequent fluid acceleration.

When the ions collide with other air molecules, not only do such ions impart
momentum to such air molecules, but the ions also transfer some of their excess
electric charge to these other air molecules, thereby creating additional molecules
that are attracted toward the attracting electrode. These combined effects cause
the so-called electric wind.
004534702

However, because a small number of ions are generated by the corona

electrode in comparison to the number of air molecules which are in the vicinity of
the corona electrode, the ions in the present electric wind generators must be
given initial high velocities in order to move the surrounding air. To date, even
these high initial ionic velocities have not produced significant speeds of air
movement. And, even worse, such high ionic velocities cause such excitation of
surrounding air molecules that substantial quantities of ozone and nitrogen oxides,
all of which have well-known detrimental environmental effects, are produced.

Presently, no invention has even attained significant speeds of air

movement, let alone doing so without generating undesirable quantities of ozone
and nitrogen oxides.

Three patents, viz., United States patent numbers 3,638,058; 4,380,720;

and 5,077,500, have, however, employed on a rudimentary level some of the
techniques which have enabled the present inventors to achieve significant
speeds of air movement and to do so without generating undesirable quantities of
ozone and nitrogen oxides.

United States patent number 5,077,500, in order to ensure that all corona
electrodes "work under mutually the same conditions and will thus all engender
mutually the same corona discharge," uses other electrodes to shield the corona
electrodes from the walls of the duct (in which the device of that patent is to be
installed) and from other corona electrodes. These other electrodes, according to
lines 59 through 60 in column 3 of the patent, "...will not take up any corona
current...".

Also, United States patent number 4,380,720 employs multiple stages,

each consisting of pairs of a corona electrode and an attracting electrode, so that
the air molecules which have been accelerated to a given speed by one stage will
be further accelerated to an even greater speed by the subsequent stage. United
States patent number 4,380,720 does not, however, recognize the need to
neutralize substantially all ions and other electrically charged particles, such as
dust, prior to their approaching the corona electrode of the subsequent stage in
004534702

3
order to avoid having such ions and particles repelled by that corona electrode in
an upstream direction, the direction opposite to the velocity produced by the
attracting electrode of the previous stage.

And United States patent number 5,077,500, on lines 25 through 29 of

column 1, states, "The air ions migrate rapidly from the corona electrode to the
target electrode, under the influence of the electric field, and relinquish their
electric charge to the target electrode and return to electrically neutral air
molecules." The fact that the target electrode is not, however, so effective as to
neutralize substantially all of the air ions is apparent from the discussion of ion
current between the corona electrode K and the surfaces 4, which discussion is
located on lines 15 through 27 in column 4.

Similarly, United States patent number 3,638,058 provides, on line 66 of

column 1 through line 13 of column 2, can be seen that with a high DC
voltage impressed between cathode point 12 and ring anode 18, an electrostatic
field will result causing a corona discharge region surrounding point 14. This
corona discharge region will ionize the air molecules in proximity to point 14 which,
being charged particles of the same polarity as the cathode, will, in turn, be
attracted toward ring anode 18 which will also act as a focusing anode. The
accelerated ions will impart kinetic energy to neutral air molecules by repeated
collisions and attachment. Neutral air molecules thus accelerated, constitute the
useful mechanical output of the ion wind generator. The majority of ions, however,
will end their usefulness upon reaching the ring 18 where they fan out radially and
collide with the ring producing anode current. A small portion of the ions will
possess sufficient kinetic energy to continue on through the ring along with the
neutral particles. These result in a slight loss of efficiency because they tend to be
drawn back to the anode. The same theory will apply for cathode 13 and anode
17. Since opposite polarities are impressed on each cathode-anode pair, their
exiting airstreams will contain oppositely charged ions which will merge and
neutralize; i.e. being of opposite polarity, the ions will attract each other and be
neutralized by recombination" It is, however, not clear that substantially all ions
which escape the electrodes will merge because many ions emerging from the
anode on the left are likely to have such momentum toward the left that the
004534702

electrical attraction for ions emerging from the anode on the right with momentum
toward the right is insufficient to overcome such opposite momenta. Furthermore,
the distance required for such recombination as does occur is very probably so
great that it would be a detriment to using multiple stages to provide increased
speed to the air.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides, in the first aspect, a flexible top high voltage power supply,
which comprises:

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply;

a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with

increasing output current from the power supply; and

a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
unit.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a device employing electrodes, which

comprises:

a set of electrodes capable of producing a corona discharge; and

a flexible top high voltage power supply electrically connected to said set of
electrodes.

In the second aspect of the invention, the high-voltage power supply may be that
of the first aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, a multiple corona

and exciting electrodes arrangement.
004534702

Figure 2 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, another

implementation of multiple corona and exciting electrodes arrangement.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, a multiple corona

and exciting electrodes arrangement including multiple attracting electrodes
arrangement.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, a multiple corona

and exciting electrodes arrangement including multiple repelling electrodes
arrangement.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, a flexible top

power supply flow diagram.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, a flexible top

power supply circuit diagram.

Figure 7 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, several stages of

electrostatic fluid accelerators placed in series with respect to the desired fluid
flow.

Figure 8 illustrates schematically, by the way of example, an electrostatic

fluid accelerator that is capable of controlling fluid flow by changing a potential at
the exciting electrodes.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

In order to successfully create the desired rate of fluid flow, the high-voltage
power supply should generate an output voltage that is higher than the corona
onset voltage but, no matter what the surrounding environmental conditions, below
the breakdown voltage.

To prevent a breakdown between electrodes, the high-voltage power supply

should be sensitive to conditions that affect the breakdown voltage, such as
004534702

humidity, temperature, etc. and reduce the output voltage to a level below the
breakdown point.

Achieving this goal could require a rather costly high-voltage power supply
with voltage and other sensors as well as a feedback loop control.

However, it was experimentally determined by the inventors that the corona

current depends on the same conditions which affect the breakdown voltage.
Thus, as indicated above, the voltage between the corona electrode and other
electrodes (except the repelling electrodes, for which a corona discharge is not
desired) should be maintained between the corona onset voltage and the
breakdown voltage; and a preferred technique for maximizing the density of ions
without having a breakdown, no matter what the surrounding environmental
conditions are, is to utilize a high-voltage power supply with a variable maximum
voltage that is inversely proportional to the corona. current.

Such a high-voltage power supply is termed a "flexible top" high-voltage

power supply.

The "flexible top" high-voltage power supply preferably consists of two

power supply units connected in series. The first unit, which is termed the "base
unit," generates an output voltage, termed the "base voltage," which is close to
(above or below) the corona onset voltage and below the breakdown voltage and
which, because of a low internal impedance in the unit, is only slightly sensitive to
the output current. The second unit, which is termed the "flexible top," generates
an output voltage that is much more sensitive to the output current than is the
voltage of the base unit, the base voltage, because of a large internal
impedance. If output current increases, the base voltage will remain almost
constant whereas the output voltage from the flexible top decreases. It is a matter
of ordinary skill in the art to select the values of circuit components which will
assure that, for any foreseeable environmental conditions, the combined resultant
output voltage from the base unit and the flexible top will be greater than the
corona onset voltage but less than the breakdown voltage.
004534702

Moreover, once the need for the flexible top has been recognized, ordinary
skill in the art can supply various methods of achieving such a power supply.

Perhaps, the simplest example of the flexible top high-voltage power supply
is the following: A traditional high-voltage power supply is used for the base unit,
and a step-up transformer with larger leakage inductance is employed in the
flexible top. The alternating current flows through the leakage inductance, thereby
creating a voltage drop across such inductance. The more current that is drawn,
the more voltage drops across the leakage inductance; and the more voltage that
is dropped across the leakage inductor, the less is the output voltage of the
flexible top.

A second example of a flexible top high-voltage power supply utilizes a

combination of capacitors of a voltage multiplier as depicted in Figure 6. The first
set of capacitors have a much greater capacitance and, therefore, much lower
impedance than the second set. Therefore, the voltage across the first set of
capacitors (the base unit) is relatively insensitive to the current whereas the
voltage across the second set of capacitors (the flexible top) is inversely
proportional to the current.

It will be appreciated that a flexible top high-voltage power supply is any

combination of bases units and flexible tops connected in series that do not depart
from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the flexible top high-voltage power
supply may consist of any number of base units and flexible tops connected in
series in any desired order so that the resultant output voltage is within the desired
range.

The Electrostatic Fluid Accelerator here described comprises a multiplicity

of closely spaced corona electrodes with an exciting electrode asymmetrically
located between the corona electrodes. A flexible top high-voltage power supply
preferably controls the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting
electrodes so that such voltage is maintained between the corona onset voltage
and the breakdown voltage.
004534702

8
Optionally, however, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the
exciting electrodes can be varied even outside the preceding range in order to
vary the flow of the fluid which it is desired to move.

And in lieu of locating the exciting electrode asymmetrically between the

corona electrodes, the Electrostatic Fluid Accelerator may further comprise an
accelerating electrode.

The accelerating electrode may, as discussed above, either be an attracting

electrode, a repelling electrode, or a combination of attracting and repelling
electrodes.

An attracting electrode has electric polarity opposite to that of the corona

electrode and is located, with respect to the desired direction of fluid flow,
downstream from the corona electrode. The repelling electrode has the same
electrical polarity as the corona electrode and is situated, with respect to the
desired direction of fluid flow, upstream from the corona electrode.

To assure that more ions and, consequently, more fluid particles, flow
downstream, the exciting electrode can be constructed in the form of a plate that
extends downstream with respect to the desired direction of fluid flow.

Finally, as discussed above, in order to achieve the greatest flow of fluid,

multiple stages of corona discharge devices, and preferably the Electrostatic Fluid
Accelerator, are used with a collecting electrode placed between each stage. The
collecting electrode has opposite electrical polarity to that of the corona electrodes
and is designed to preclude substantially all ions and other electrically charged
particles from passing to the next stage, where they would tend to be repelled and
thereby impair the movement of the fluid. Preferably, the collecting electrode is a
wire mesh that extends substantially across the intended path for the fluid
particles.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of electrostatic fluid

accelerator which comprises multiple corona electrodes multiple exciting
004534702

electrodes power supply Corona electrodes and exciting electrodes (2)

are connected to the respective terminals of the power supply by the means of
conductors (4 and The desired fluid flow is shown by an arrow. Corona
electrodes are located asymmetrically between exciting electrodes with
respect to the desired fluid flow. In the illustrated embodiment is assumed that
corona electrodes are wire-like electrodes (shown in cross section), exciting
electrodes are plate-like electrodes (also shown in cross section) and a power
supply is a DC power supply. It will be understood that corona electrodes may
be of any shape that ensures corona discharge and subsequent ion emission from
one or more parts of said corona electrode. In general corona electrodes may be
made in shape of needle, barbed wire, serrated plates or plates having sharp or
thin parts that facilitate electric field raise at the vicinity of these parts of the corona
electrodes. It will be understood that power supply may generate any voltage
(direct, alternating or pulse) that has a magnitude great enough to raise an electric
filed strength at the vicinity of the corona electrodes above corona onset value.
The corona electrodes exciting electrodes and conductors (4 and 5) of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are made of electrically conductive material that
is capable to conduct a desired electrical current to the ion emitting parts of the
corona electrodes and to the exciting electrodes. Corona electrodes are
supported by a frame (not shown) that ensures the corona electrodes being
parallel to the exciting electrodes Power supply generates voltage that
creates an electric field in the space between the corona electrodes and
exciting electrodes This electric field receives a maximum magnitude in the
vicinity of the corona electrodes When maximum magnitude of the electric
field exceeds a corona onset voltage the corona electrodes emit ions. Ions
being emitted from the corona electrodes are attracted to the exciting
electrodes Due to asymmetrical location of the corona electrodes and the
exciting electrodes ions receive more acceleration toward the desired fluid flow
shown by an arrow. More ions will therefore flow to the right (as shown in FIG. 1)
than to the left. Ion movement to the direction of the desired fluid flow creates fluid
flow to this direction due to ions' collision with the fluid molecules.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a second embodiment of electrostatic fluid

accelerator which comprises multiple corona electrodes multiple exciting
004534702

electrodes power supply Corona electrodes and exciting electrodes (7)

are connected to the respective terminals of the power supply by the means of
conductors (9 and 10). The desired fluid flow is shown by an arrow. Corona
electrodes are located asymmetrically between exciting electrodes with
respect to the desired fluid flow. Corona electrodes and exciting electrodes (7)
are connected to the respective terminals of the power supply by the means of
conductors (9 and 10). The desired fluid flow is shown by an arrow. Corona
electrodes are located asymmetrically between exciting electrodes with
respect to the 5 desired fluid flow. In the illustrated embodiment is assumed that
corona electrodes are razor-like electrodes (shown in cross section), exciting
electrodes are plate-like electrodes (also shown in cross section) and a power
supply is a DC power supply. It will be understood FIG. 2 may as well
represent the corona electrodes in a shape of needles and the exciting
electrodes located acidimetrically between the corona needle-like electrodes.
The preferred shape of the exciting electrodes will be, but not limited to,
honeycomb that separate the corona electrodes from each other, said corona
electrodes are located near the centre of the honeycomb-like exciting
electrodes The power supply may, as in previous embodiment generate
any voltage (direct, alternating or pulse) that has a magnitude great enough to
raise an electric filed strength at the vicinity of the parts of the corona electrodes
that exceeds a corona onset value. The corona electrodes exciting
electrodes and conductors (9 and 10) of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2
are made of electrically conductive material that is capable of conducting a desired
electrical current to the ion emitting parts of the corona electrodes to the
exciting electrodes Corona electrodes are supported by a frame (not
shown) that ensures the corona electrodes being parallel to the exciting
electrodes Power supply generates voltage that creates an electric field in
the space between the corona electrodes and exciting electrodes This
electric field receives a maximum magnitude in the vicinity of the sharp edges (or
sharp points in case of needle-like corona electrodes) of the corona electrodes
When maximum magnitude of the electric field exceeds a corona onset voltage
the corona electrodes emit ions. Ions being emitted from the sharp edges (or
points) of the corona electrodes are attracted to the exciting electrodes
Due to asymmetrical location of the corona electrodes and the exciting
004534702

11

electrodes ions receive more acceleration toward the desired fluid flow shown
by an arrow. More ions will therefore flow to the right (as shown in FIG. 2) than to
the left. Ions' movement to the direction of the desired fluid flow creates fluid flow
to this direction due to ions' collision with the fluid molecules.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a third embodiment of electrostatic fluid

accelerator which comprises multiple corona electrodes multiple exciting
electrodes multiple attracting electrodes power supply Corona
electrodes (11) from one hand and exciting electrodes (12) and attracting
electrodes (13) from other hand are connected to the respective terminals of the
power supply (14) by the means of conductors (15 and 16). The desired fluid flow
is shown by an arrow. Corona electrodes (11) are located between exciting
electrodes (12) and separated by the last from each other. As an example wire-
like corona electrodes (11) are shown in cross section, exciting electrodes (12) are
plate-like electrodes and attracting electrodes (13) are wire-like or rod-like
electrodes (also shown in cross section) and a power supply (14) is a DC power
supply. It will be understood FIG. 3 may as well represent the corona electrodes
(11) in any other shape that ensures electric field strength in the vicinity of the
corona electrodes (11) great enough to initiate corona discharge. The power
supply (14) may, as in previous embodiments (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) generate any
voltage (direct, alternating or pulse) that has a magnitude great enough to raise an
electric field strength at the vicinity of the parts of the corona electrodes (11) that
exceeds a corona onset value. The corona electrodes exciting electrodes
attracting electrodes (13) and conductors (15 and 16) of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 are made of electrically conductive material that is capable of
conducting a desired electrical current to the ion emitting parts of the corona
electrodes to the exciting electrodes (12) and to the attracting electrodes (13).
Corona electrodes (11) are supported by a frame (not shown) that ensures the
corona electrodes (11) being substantially parallel to the exciting electrodes (12)
and to the attracting electrodes Power supply (14) generates voltage that
creates an electric field in the space between the corona electrodes (11) and
exciting electrodes (12) and the attracting electrodes This electric field
receives a maximum magnitude in the vicinity of the corona electrodes (11) (or
sharp edges or sharp points in case of razor-like or needle-like corona electrodes).
004534702

12

When the maximum magnitude of the electric field exceeds a corona onset
voltage the corona electrodes (11) emit ions. Ions being emitted from the sharp
edges (or points) of the corona electrodes (11) are attracted to the exciting
electrodes (12) and to the attracting electrodes (13) Due to electrostatic force
ions receive acceleration toward the desired fluid flow shown by an arrow. Ions will
therefore flow to the right (as shown in FIG. Ions' movement in the direction of
the desired fluid flow creates fluid flow in this direction due to ions' collision with
the fluid molecules.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a fourth embodiment of electrostatic fluid

accelerator which comprises multiple corona electrodes multiple exciting
electrodes multiple repelling electrodes power supply Corona
electrodes (17) together with repelling electrodes (19) from one hand and exciting
electrodes (18) from other hand are connected to the respective terminals of the
power supply (20) by the means of conductors (21 and 22). The desired fluid flow
is shown by an arrow. Corona electrodes (17) are located between exciting
electrodes (1 8) and separated by the latter from each other. As an example wire-
like corona electrodes (17) are shown in cross section, exciting electrodes (18) are
plate-like electrodes and repelling electrodes (19) are wire-like or rod-like
electrodes (also shown in cross section) and a power supply (20) is a DC power
supply. It will be understood FIG. 4 may as well represent the corona electrodes
(17) in any other shape that ensures electric field strength in the vicinity of the
corona, electrodes (17) great enough to initiate corona discharge. The power
supply (20) may, as in previous embodiments generate any voltage (direct,
alternating or pulse) that has a magnitude great enough to raise an electric field
strength at the vicinity of the parts of the corona electrodes (17) that exceeds a
corona onset value. The corona electrodes exciting electrodes repelling
electrodes (19) and conductors (21 and 22) of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4
are made of electrically conductive material that is capable to conduct a desired
electrical current to the ion emitting parts of the corona electrodes to the exciting
electrodes Corona electrodes (17) are supported by a frame (not shown) that
ensures the corona electrodes (17) being substantially parallel to the exciting
electrodes (18) and to the repelling electrodes Power supply (20) generates
voltage that creates an electric field in the space between the corona electrodes
004534702

13

(17) and exciting electrodes This electric field receives a maximum

magnitude in the vicinity of the corona electrodes (17) (or sharp edges or sharp
points in case of razor-like or needle-like corona electrodes). When maximum
magnitude of the electric field exceeds a corona onset voltage the corona
electrodes (17) emit ions. Ions being emitted from the sharp edges (or points) of
the corona electrodes (17) are attracted to the exciting electrodes (18) and at the
same time are repelled from repelling electrodes Due to electrostatic force
ions receive acceleration toward the desired fluid flow shown by an arrow. Ions will
therefore flow to the right (as shown in FIG. Ions' movement to the direction of
the desired fluid flow creates fluid flow to this direction due to ions' collision with
the fluid molecules. It will be understood that the repelling electrodes (19) may be
made of any shape that ensures that an electric strength in the vicinity of the
repelling electrodes (19) is below corona onset value. To ensure that
comparatively low value the repelling electrodes (19) may be made of greater
main size than the corona electrodes As another option the repelling
electrodes (19) may not have sharp edges or do not have serrated surface.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically a flow diagram for a flexible top power

supply according to a first embodiment of the invention. According to the invention
the power supply consists of two functional parts base part (23) and flexible part
The base part (23) produces output voltage (25) and flexible top part (24)
produces output voltage Both voltages (25 and 26) gives output voltage of
power supply that is equal to their sum, i.e. Each part of power supply in FIG.
may be made of any of known design. It may be a transformer-rectifier, or
voltage multiplier, or fly-back configuration, or combination of the above. The base
part (23) and flexible top part (24) may be of similar of different design as well. The
only difference between the base part (23) and the flexible top part (24) that is
relevant to the purpose of this invention is the dependence of output voltage of
output current. The base part (23) generates output voltage (25) that is less
dependent on output current. The flexible top part (24) generates output voltage
(26) that drops significantly with output current increase. The base part (23)
generates output voltage (25) that is close to the corona onset voltage of the
corona electrodes. This voltage (25) may be equal to the corona onset voltage or it
may be slightly more or less than that corona onset voltage. This corona onset
004534702

14

voltage depends on the electrodes geometry and environment as well. It is

experimentally determined that the corona onset voltage has smaller value under
higher temperature. From the other hand the base voltage (25) should not be
greater than breakdown voltage between the corona and other electrodes. This
breakdown voltage also varies with temperature and other factors. Therefore it is
desirable to maintain voltage (25) at the level that is close to the corona onset
voltage but does not exceed breakdown voltage under any environment condition
specific for an application. The flexible part (24) generates output voltage that in
combination with the voltage (25) gives total output voltage (27) that is greater
than corona onset voltage but lesser than breakdown voltage. It is experimentally
determined that corona current depends of the voltage between the electrodes
nonlinearly. Corona current starts at the corona onset voltage and reaches
maximum value as the voltage approaches a breakdown level. To ensure that total
output voltage of power supply will never reach a breakdown level output voltage
(26) decreases as the corona current approaches its maximum value. At the same
time total output voltage (27) will always be above corona onset level. This
ensures corona discharge and fluid flow at any condition.

Figure 6 illustrates flexible top power supply circuit diagram. Power supply
shown in FIG. 6 generates high voltage at the level between 10,000V and
15,000V. Power train of this power supply consists of power transistor Q1, High
Voltage fly-back inductor T1 and voltage multiplier (capacitors C1 C8 and diodes
D8 D15). Pulse Width Modulator Integrated Circuit UC3843N periodically
switches transistor Q1 ON and OFF with frequency that exceed audible frequency
to ensure silent operation. Potentiometer 5k controls duty cycle and is used for
output voltage control. Shunt 1 Ohm connected between Q1 source and ground
senses output current and turns transistor Q1 OFF if current exceeds preset level.
The preset level in power supply shown in FIG. 6 is equal approximately 1A.
Capacitors C1 C6 have value that exceeds the value of the capacitors C6 C7.
The sum of the voltages across capacitors C1, C4 and C6 constitutes the base
voltage The voltage across capacitor C8 represents the flexible top voltage
The sum of the voltages (25 and 26) represents output voltage (27) of the
flexible top power supply. It will be understood that any configuration of power
supply of a combination of power supplies that consists of one or more base parts
004534702

or power supplies and one or more parts or flexible top power supplies falls under
spirit of this invention. As an another example of such flexible top power supply
simplest transformer-rectifier configuration may be considered (not shown here).
The transformer may consist of a primary winding and at least two secondary
windings. Each secondary winding is connected to a separate rectifier. The DC
outputs of these rectifiers are connected in series. One of the secondary windings
has greater leakage inductance with respect to the primary winding than the
leakage inductance of another secondary winding with respect to the primary
winding. When a corona current grows voltage drop across that greater leakage
inductance grows and output voltage of the power supply decreases to safe level.

Figure 7 illustrates several stages (28, 29 and 30) of an electrostatic fluid

accelerator placed in series with respect to the desired fluid flow. Each stage is
separated from another stage by the collecting electrodes (31 and 32). Each stage
(28, 29 and 30) is powered by power supply (33) and accelerates fluid by
generating ions at corona. discharge and then accelerating ions toward the
desired fluid flow (shown by the arrow). Ions and other charged particles travel
from the vicinity of the corona electrodes through the area surrounded by the
exciting electrodes and toward next stage. Part of these ions and particles settle
on the exciting electrodes. Part of these particles, however, travel beyond the
electrodes of a particular stage. These ions and particles go as far as to the next
stage and repel from the corona electrodes of the next stage. Ions and particles
slow their movement toward the desired fluid movement and even travel back in
the opposite direction. This event decreases total fluid velocity and fluid
accelerator efficiency. To prevent such an event collecting electrodes (31 and 32)
are installed in between of the stages. These collecting electrodes are placed
close to each other and connected to the polarity that is opposite to the polarity of
the corona electrodes. Ions and charged particles that travel beyond the stages
are attracted to the collecting electrodes (31 and 32) and give their charge to
these electrodes. By that means no or almost no charged particles travel to the
next stage. In the FIG. 7 all collecting electrodes are connected to the same power
supply (33) terminal as the exciting electrodes of the stage (28, 29 and 30). It will
be understood that these collecting electrodes may be connected to or be under
any electric potential that is opposite to the potential of the corona electrodes. It
004534702

16

will be understood that some of the electrodes may be connected to different

power supplies including variable power supplies.

Figure 8 illustrates an electrostatic fluid accelerator that is capable of

controlling fluid flow by changing a potential at the exciting electrodes. The
electrostatic fluid accelerator shown in FIG. 8 consists of multiple corona.
electrodes multiple exciting electrodes (34) and multiple attracting electrodes
The geometry and mutual locating of all the electrodes is similar to what is
shown in FIG. 3. The electrostatic fluid generator shown in FIG. 8 is powered by
two power supplies. The attracting electrodes (35) are connected to the common
point of the two power supplies. This common point is shown as a ground, but
may be at any arbitrary electric potential. Power supply (36) is connected to the
common point by means of conductors (40) and to the corona electrodes (41) by
the mean of conductors Power supply (36) produces stable DC voltage.
Power supply (37) is connected to the common point by conductors (40) and to
the exciting electrodes (34) by conductors Power supply (37) produces
variable DC voltage.

If electric field strength in the area between the corona. electrodes (41) and
the exciting electrodes (34) is approximately equal to the electric field strength in
the area between the corona electrodes (41) and the attracting electrodes (35) the
electric current's magnitude that flows from the corona. electrodes (41) to the
exciting electrodes (34) is approximately equal to the electric current's magnitude
that flows from the corona electrodes (41) to the attracting electrodes It is
experimentally determined that approximately equal electric field strength is most
favourable for the corona discharge for the described electrodes geometry and
mutual location. It was further determined that when the electric field strength in
the area between the corona electrodes (41) and the exciting electrodes (34) is
less than that of the electric field strength in the area between the corona
electrodes (41) and the attracting electrodes (35) the corona discharge is
suppressed and fewer ions are emitted from the corona discharge. When electric
field strength in the area between the corona electrodes (41) and the exciting
electrodes (34) is approximately half of the electric field strength in the area
between the corona electrodes (41) and the attracting electrodes (35) the corona
004534702

17

discharge is almost totally suppressed and almost no fewer ions are emitted from
the corona discharge and no fluid movement is detected.

It will be understood that because of nature of a corona discharge a flexible

top power supply may be successfully used with any combination of electrodes for
corona discharge initiating and maintenance.

It will be further understood that any set of multiple electrodes may be

located and/or secured on the separate frame. This frame must have an opening
through which fluid freely flows. It may be a rectangular frame or u-shape frame or
any other. Two or more frames on which the multiple set of the electrodes is
located are then secured in the manner that ensures sufficient distance along the
surface to prevent so called creeping discharge along this surface.

The above arrangements were successfully tested. The distance between

exciting electrodes was 2 to 5 mm., the diameter of the corona electrodes was
0.1 mm and the exciting electrodes' width was about 12 mm. The attracting
electrodes' diameter was 0.75 mm. The corona electrodes were made of tungsten
wire while the exciting electrodes were made of aluminium foil, and the exciting
electrodes were made of brass and steel rods. At a voltage for the corona
electrodes (the exciting and attracting electrodes being grounded) in the
magnitude of 2,000 volts to 7,500 volts, air flow was measured at a maximum rate
of 950 feet per minute. In terms of the voltage applied to the exciting electrodes,
air flow was at a maximum value when the exciting electrodes' potential was close
to voltage of the attracting electrodes. When the potential at the exciting
electrodes approached the potential of the corona electrodes, the air flow
decreased and eventually dropped to an undetectable level.

Industrial Applicability

The way in which the electrostatic fluid accelerator is capable of exploitation

in industry and the way in which the electrostatic fluid accelerator can be made
and used are obvious from the description and the nature of the electrostatic fluid
accelerator.
004966969

18

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends
to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned
or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute
various alternative aspects of the invention.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise the term
"comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and
"comprised", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or
steps.
004966969

19

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A flexible top high voltage power supply comprising:

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply;

a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with

increasing output current from the power supply; and

a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
unit,

wherein said base unit includes a first portion of a voltage multiplier circuit
and said second unit includes a final portion of said voltage multiplier circuit, said
voltage multiplier circuit connected to a secondary winding of a high voltage
transformer for receiving an alternating current signal, said voltage multiplier circuit
comprising a network of series-connected capacitors connected in opposing leads
of said secondary winding and shunting diodes connected between opposing pairs
of said capacitors.

2. The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 1 configured
to supply a high voltage output in a range of 10,000 to 15,000 volts.

3. The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 1 further
comprising:

a pulse-width modulator connected to provide a switched current having a

frequency exceeding an audible frequency.

4. A flexible top high voltage power supply comprising:

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply;

a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with

increasing output current from the power supply;
 005043241

a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
r unit; and

O a voltage multiplier circuit having series connected capacitors, said base

(unit including a first portion of said voltage multiplier circuit and said second unit
including a final portion of said voltage multiplier circuit, a value of ones of said
0 capacitors of said first portion being greater than a value of ones of said capacitors
C' of said final portion.

The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 4, said
0flexible top high voltage power supply configured to supply a high voltage output in
a range of 10,000 to 15,000 volts.

6. The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 4, further
comprising a pulse-width modulator connected to provide a switched current
having a frequency exceeding an audible frequency.

7. A flexible top high voltage power supply comprising:

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply;

a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with

increasing output current from the power supply;

a circuit for combining the voltage from said base unit and said second unit;
and

a power transformer including a primary winding and a pair of secondary

windings, one of said secondary windings having a greater leakage inductance
with respect to said primary winding than a leakage inductance of the other
secondary winding with respect to said primary winding.

8. The flexible top voltage power supply according to claim 7 wherein each of
said secondary windings is connected to a respective rectifier and DC outputs
from said rectifiers are connected in series.
 005043241

21

S9. The flexible top voltage power supply according to claim 7 configured such
N that an increase in a current output results in a voltage drop across voltage power

O asupply is configured such that an increase in a current output results in a voltage

drop across said secondary winding having said greater leakage inductance to
cause an output voltage to decrease to a safe level.

The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 7, said
flexible top high voltage power supply configured to supply a high voltage output in
a range of 10,000 to 15,000 volts.

11. The flexible top high voltage power supply according to claim 7, further
comprising a pulse-width modulator connected to provide a switched current
having a frequency exceeding an audible frequency.

12. A device employing electrodes comprising:

a set of electrodes capable of producing a corona discharge; and

a flexible top high-voltage power supply electrically connected to said set of

electrodes, said high-voltage power supply including

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply,

(ii) a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with
increasing output current from the power supply, and

(iii) a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
unit,

wherein said base unit includes a first portion of a voltage multiplier circuit
and said second unit includes a final portion of said voltage multiplier circuit, said
voltage multiplier circuit connected to a secondary winding of a high voltage
transformer for receiving an alternating current signal, said voltage multiplier circuit
comprising a network of series-connected capacitors connected in opposing leads
 005043241

22

0 of said secondary winding and shunting diodes connected between opposing pairs
c of said capacitors.

O 13. The flexible top voltage power supply according to claim 12 wherein said
IDhigh-voltage power supply is configured such that an increase in a current output
results in a voltage drop across said secondary winding having said greater
leakage inductance to cause an output voltage to decrease to a safe level.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said high-voltage power supply
is configured to supply a high voltage output in a range of 10,000 to 15,000 volts
0to said set of electrodes.

15. A device employing electrodes, comprising;

a set of electrodes capable of producing a corona discharging; and

a flexible top high-voltage power supply electrically connected to said set of

electrodes, said high-voltage power supply including

a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply,

(ii) a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with
increasing output current from the power supply, and

(iii) a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
unit,

said flexible top high-voltage power supply further comprising a voltage

multiplier circuit having series connected capacitors, said base unit including a first
portion of said voltage multiplier circuit and said second unit including a final
portion of said voltage multiplier circuit, a value of ones of said capacitors of said
first portion being greater than a value of ones of said capacitors of said final
portion.

16. A device employing electrodes, comprising:

 005043241

23

a set of electrodes capable of producing a corona discharge; and

a flexible top high-voltage power supply electrically connected to said set of

O electrodes, said high-voltage power supply including
IND
a base unit that produces a voltage which is only slightly sensitive to the
output current of the power supply,

S(ii) a second unit that produces an output voltage which decreases with
N increasing output current from the power supply, and

C (iii) a circuit for combining the voltages from said base unit and said second
unit,

said high-voltage power supply further comprising a power transformer

including a primary winding and a pair of secondary windings, one of said
secondary windings having a greater leakage inductance with respect to said
primary winding than a leakage inductance of the other secondary winding with
respect to said primary winding.

17. The device according to claim 16 wherein each of said secondary winding
is connected to a respective rectifier and DC outputs from said rectifiers are
connected in series.

18. A device substantially as herein described with reference to the

accompanying drawings.
 118

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-0

-0

-0

-0

4-

Fig. I
 218

Fig. 2
 318

13

Fig 3
 418

21
19 18

21

Fig.r4
 518

Fig.
,-Fig.6
 7/8

28 29

-o I j

-0 1
-0 I
-o I
I
-0 I
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Fig. 7
 818

4134 39

38 4

Fig. 89