Apparatus for controlling the use of consumable accessory units with machines where a memory device associated with each accessory unit holds information concerning the accessory unit, and circuitry in the machine acts in response to the information. The information includes (1) the classes of machines with which the accessory unit is intended to be used (the machine issues a signal if the machine is not within one of the intended classes); (2) the concentration of the contents of the accessory unit (the machine operation is controlled on the basis of the concentration); (3) an encrypted authorization code (the machine issues a signal if the decrypted code is not an authorized one); (4) the manufacturing lot the accessory unit (the machine displays the lot number to the user); (5) the expiration date of the accessory unit (the machine issues a signal if the expiration date has passed); (6) a unique identification number to trigger the machine to compare a predetermined total number of permissible uses with the number of actual uses (the machine issues a signal when the accessory unit is deemed to be empty); (7) information concerning calibration of the machine (the electronic circuitry is calibrated in response to the information); (8) the range of permissible operating conditions for the machine in conjunction with the accessory unit (the machine displays the information for operator use); (9) the range of permissible use of the accessory unit (the machine displays the permissible uses to the operator); and (10) the range of permissible quantities of material that may be added to the accessory unit (the machine displays the information to the user).

Controlling machine operation with respect to consumable accessory units

An electrostatic spray device that maintains a consistent charge-to-mass ratio in order to maintain a consistent target spray quality is disclosed. During steady state conditions, the high voltage power supply adjusts the output voltage level in response to changing environmental and/or operating conditions. During transient conditions such as start-up, shut-down and changing flow rate conditions, the high voltage power supply ensures that the charge-to-mass ratio is maintained. During, start-up, for example, the high voltage power supply charges the high voltage electrode to a predetermined voltage level before the product is delivered to the charging location. During shut-down, the product delivery is stopped before the high voltage power supply shuts off power to the high voltage electrode, and during changes in product flow rate, the voltage level of the high voltage electrode is adjusted to maintain a consistent charge-to-mass ratio. The present invention also prevents afterspray by discharging the stored charge remaining in storage elements of the high voltage power supply.

Electrostatic spray device

A high-voltage generator for electrostatic sprayer devices includes a frequency-clocked power amplifier for feeding the primary of a transformer whose secondary is connected to a high-voltage cascade or multiplier circuit. The power amplifier is connected to a controllable low-voltage d.c. voltage source and to a controllable frequency generator, whereby the control of the d.c. voltage source and of the frequency generator is provided by a microcomputer such that the transformer is optimally matched for all voltages appearing at the high-voltage output of the cascade.

Electronic high-voltage generator for electrostatic sprayer devices

An agricultural chemical sprayer is disclosed using special pre-coded machine-readable chemical containers which, when attached for use, become an integral part of an automatic spray control system. The pre-coded data derived from a given container effectively prevents unauthorized and unsafe container refilling operations and, at the same time, automatically provides optimum control over the spray application rate (pump operation and/or electrostatic voltage), prevents mixing of incompatible spray solutions, prescribes proper spray system flushing procedures, and at all times after filling maintains an irreversible account of the available liquid remaining in the container. Provisions are made for monitoring the condition and/or operation of each spray nozzle and special connectors are provided for effecting optimum liquid and electrical circuit connections in such a system. A distributed logic microprocessor-based electronic control system, a modular nozzle design incorporating a customized I/O integrated circuit and a special container design including a customized PROM integrated circuit are provided in the preferred embodiment.

Container and spraying system

An electrostatic spray gun having a self-contained power supply including a high voltage electrostatic voltage and current source, with circuits for monitoring the voltage and current and developing a frequency signal based on the monitored voltage and current, circuits for modulating the frequency signal with a radio frequency carrier and transmitting the modulated-carrier signal to a remote radio receiver, where the signals are demodulated and converted to a digital display representation of the monitored voltage and/or current.

Apparatus for transmitting electrostatic spray gun voltage and current values to remote location

A power supply for generating a high unidirectional voltage at a charging electrode of an electrostatic spray coating apparatus has circuitry for sensing the magnitude of current flow to the electrode and for controlling application of an input voltage to the power supply in accordance therewith to control the magnitude of the high voltage. The arrangement is such that whenever the current flow is less than a predetermined value all cycles of the input voltage are applied to the power supply, but whenever the current exceeds the predetermined value only a limited number of the cycles are applied to the power supply. In this manner, the danger of arcing between the electrode and an article being coated is eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

Jr. Martin O. Haase

Papers

Voltage controlled power supply for electrostatic coating apparatus