Voltage regulator for electrostatic dust precipitators

TLDR: The control input for the regulator is derived from the number and/or intensity of electrical flash overs which are detected optically as in DT P1276001 as mentioned in this paper, where any flash over whose duration is at least one order less than the pulse length of the rectified voltage or current pulse in which it occurs, is converted in the high voltage circuit into an optical signal which in turn is detected directly or over optical wave guide by a photoelectric cell in the regulator circuit.

Abstract: The control input for the regulator is derived from the number and/or intensity of electrical flash overs which are detected optically as in DT P1276001. Any flash over whose duration is at least one order less than the pulse length of the rectified voltage or current pulse in which it occurs, is converted in the high voltage circuit into an optical signal which in turn is detected directly or over optical wave guide by a photoelectric cell in the regulator circuit. The original optical signal is either from a photo diode (gallium arsenide or phosphide) in parallel with a resistor in the high voltage supply and whose volts drop varies with transients due to flash over or by a Kerr cell in a monochromatic polarized light beam falling directly or via light guide on the photocell, the Kerr cell is connected across the top of a potential divider chain.