Electronic high-voltage generator for electrostatic sprayer devices

In combination, an electrostatic sprayer device, including actuation elements, and a high-voltage generator, comprising:

• a charging electrode in said sprayer device;
• a controllable low d.c. voltage source;
• a frequency-clocked power amplifier connected to said low d.c. voltage source for converting the low d.c. voltage into a low a.c. voltage;
• a transformer including a primary connected to said power amplifier, and a secondary, for transforming the low a.c. voltage into a medium a.c. voltage;
• a high-voltage multiplier connected between said transformer and said electrode for converting the medium a.c. voltage into a high d.c. voltage, said multiplier mounted in said sprayer device;
• a regulatable frequency generator connected to and operable to provide clock signals to said power amplifier;
• a microcomputer including a plurality of data inputs, a plurality of control signal outputs and a stored control algorithm;
• said controllable low d.c. voltage source and said frequency generator connnected to respective control signal outputs of said microcomputer and controlled in voltage and frequency, respectively, by said microcomputer to maintain the primary current of said transformer at a minimum for all respective voltages appearing at the output of said multiplier as reflected by control information;
• and
• sensing means connected between said primary and said data inputs for continuously providing the control information as data input signals representing actual values of primary voltage and current,
• whereby said sprayer device is controlled and regulated for a constant electrical charging, independent of the load resulting from varying the distance between the sprayer device and a workpiece and independent of the material being sprayed.