June 6, 1967 R. C. M.

, MORE 3,324,315
ELECTROSTATIC GENERATING UNIT
Filed March 30, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet

N
June 6, 1967 R. C. M., MORE 3,324,315
ELECTROSTATIC GENERATING UNIT
Filed March 30, 1964 3. Sheets-Sheet 2
June 6, 1967 R. C. M, MOREL 3,324,315
ELECTROSTATIC GENERATING UNIT
Filed March 30, 1964 3. Sheets-Sheet 5

CN

24RN3?O:
NO*?) Fig. 3
 United States Patent Office 3,324,315
Patented June 6, 1967
1. 2
3,324,315 of the unit and is driven with the rotor of the main gen
ELECTROSTATIC GENERATING UNT erator.
Roger Claudius Marius Morel, Grenoble, Isere, France,
assignor to SAMES, Societe Anonyme de Machines
With the use of such a self-exciting or self-priming
auxiliary generator as the excitation source, the only in
Electrostatiques, Paris, France, a French joint-stock
company
5
put connection into the sealed container of the unit is
Filed Mar. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 355,887 the power input connection for driving the rotors of the
Claims priority, application France, Mar. 28, 1963, main and auxiliary generators. In some arrangements, this
929,622, Patent 1,361,961 power input conveniently comprises a drive shaft seal
16 Claims. (C. 30-6) ingly extending through a wall of the container. In other
This invention relates to generating apparatus and
10 embodiments, the power input includes a low-voltage con
more particularly to a self-contained generator unit of
ductor which energizes an electric motor mounted within
the sealed unit. By avoiding high voltage input connec
the electrostatic type. tions to the unit, the safety features of the generator are
Although the basic principles of electrostatic machin further enhanced.
ery have been known for a great many years, it has been 5 In accordance with several embodiments of the inven
only comparatively recently that they have gained gen tion, the housing for the generating unit is hermetically
eral acceptance in fields of industry and commerce. The sealed and is provided with a body of gas under pressure
dramatic entry of such machinery into the electrical engi having a relatively high dielectric strength. The gas en
neering market has resulted in part because of the de ables the realization of a substantial increase in the field
velopment of an improved form of electrostatic genera strength for both the main generator and the auxiliary
tor. Generators of this type customarily include a rotor generator without obtaining breakdown values, with the
or other conveying member for the electrostatic charges, result that the operating efficiency of the unit is further
a stator in spaced relationship with the rotor, input ion enhanced.
izer an dinductor electrodes associated with the rotor According to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
and stator for charging the rotor upon the application of the sealed unit also contains within it an electrostatic reg
an exciting voltage across the input electrodes, and output ulator device for stabilizing the output voltage of the
ionizer and inductor electrodes for withdrawing charges main generator. This device profits from the high electro
from the rotor. For a more detailed discussion of repre static properties of the dielectric pressure gas in the con
sentative electrostatic generators of this type, reference tainer and enhances the over-all efficiency factor of the
may be had to the article by Noël Felici in "L'Onde 30 system. In addition, the regulator contributes toward the
Electrique,” No. 358, January 1957, pages 7-27. self-contained character of the unit.
In electrostatic generators of the foregoing type, diffi One illustrative field of application where the improved
culties have been encountered in supplying the requisite generator unit of the invention is of especial value is the
exciting voltage across the input electrodes, and these electrostatic treatment of agricultural crops. Electrostatic
difficulties have been of special moment in cases in which generators are now widely used in the spraying and
it is desired to provide maximum output power and volt sprinkling of crops with finely divided treating agents,
age per unit volume. such as pesticides, for example, by a process involving
Furthermore, the output voltage produced by such the creation of a strong electrostatic field between the
prior generators often exhibited a tendency to fluctuate 40 sprayer nozzles and the crops. This field guides the par
from its design value, and the operation of the generator ticles of treating agent toward the plant surfaces along
was otherwise inefficient in several respects. lines of force and then bonds the particles to the surfaces
One general object of this invention, therefore, is to through electrostatic attraction.
provide a new and improved generating unit of the elec It is hence a specific object of this invention to provide
trostatic type. a self-contained high-voltage generator unit which is
More specifically, it is among the objects of the present easily and quickly mountable on a vehicle such as a
invention to provide an improved construction of electro farming tractor by unskilled personnel and which oper
static generator assembly in the form of a self-contained, ates efficiently, reliably and safely without requiring reg
autonomous unit containing within it not only the gen ulating adjustments or other frequent maintenance.
erator apparatus proper but also the exciting source, and Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be
in some cases voltage regulating means as well. A self 50 described, for purposes of illustration but not of limita
contained unit of this kind is of great practical value, tion, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where
particularly in cases where the generator is operated by
unskilled hands. Not only is the sealed, completely en FIGURE 1 is a partly schematic view, primarily in
closed unit compact, rugged and safe, but its external con vertical axial section, of a first embodiment of an im
nections are
virtually reduced to a minimum, and its operation is 55 proved self-contained generator unit in accordance with
foolproof. the invention;
Many types of electrostatic generators require a D.C. FIGURE 2 is a schematic circuit diagram for the unit
exciting voltage across the input electrodes which is com of FIGURE 1; and
paratively high and illustratively is of the order of a FIGURE 3 is a view in general similar to FIGURE 1
few tens of kilovolts. The output voltage produced by the 60 but showing another embodiment in accordance with the
generator may attain many hundreds and into the thou invention.
sands of kilovolts. The need for a relatively high input Referring to FIGURE 1, a sealed chamber or enclosure
voltage heretofore presented problems which adversely 1 is defined within a hermetically sealed housing or con
affected the self-contained character of the unit, sought tainer 2 having a generally cylindrical main wall and a
by the invention. A specific object of the invention is to 65 domed top 3. The open bottom end of the container 2
solve this problem in a simple and efficient manner. has a rigid base member 4 assembled to it. The chamber
For this purpose, according to an important feature of 1 is filled with gas under pressure having high dielectric
several advantageous embodiments of the invention, there rigidity, illustratively hydrogen under a pressure of about
fifteen to twenty atmospheres. In a central aperture of the
is used as the excitation source a small auxiliary electro 70 base
static generator having self-exciting characteristics. The assembly plate 4, there is positioned a packing box and gland
auxiliary generator is mounted within the sealed container ble input generally designated 6, through which a rotata
shaft 5 extends into the housing 1.
 3,324,315
3. 4.
The inner end of the drive shaft 5 is connected to a the grounded base plate 4 and deposits electrostatic charges
speed multiplier gearing unit indicated generally at 7. on the belt which are of a polarity opposite that of the
The unit 7 is disposed within a housing secured to the charges produced by friction in the pulley 121. The belt
lower surface of a plate 10 which is supported above the carries these charges to the ionizer 124 which is rapidly
base plate 4 by uprights 11. A shaft 8 is coaxially aligned brought to a potential sufficient to serve as an exciting
with the shaft 5 and serves as the output shaft for the potential for the main generator 16. Preferably, the aux
iliary or exciting generator 12 has means (not shown
unit 7. The shaft 8 is rotatably carried in bearings 9 sup
ported in a central aperture in the plate 10. The arrange herein but illustrated, for example, in the aforementioned
ment is such that the speed of the shaft 8 is a predeter application) associated therewith for limiting the amount
mined multiple of the speed of the input shaft 5. 10 of electric charge on the pulleys.
Supported above the plate 10 by means of uprights 15 The output electrode 124 of the exciter generator 12 is
connected by an insulated conductor 125 to the input
is a circular upper plate 14 having a central opening which inductor
accommodates the shaft 8. The generally cylindrical casing electrode 19b of the main generator 16, and
21 of a main electrostatic generator 16 is mounted above the input ionizer electrode 20b is connected through the
the plate 14 and is spaced therefrom by uprights 25. The base plate 4 to ground by way of a conductor 126.
The output inductor and ionizer electrodes 19a and
generator 16 includes an inner stator 17 of annular cross
section fixedly secured within the casing 21 and a cylin 19b of the main generator 16 are connected in common
drical generally cup-shaped rotor 18 externally disposed by insulated conductors 127 and 128 to an output termi
with respect to the stator. The stator 17 is of suitable through nal 27. The terminal 27 protrudes from the casing 2
semi-conductive material, while the rotor 18 is non-con 20 opening inantheinsulator plug 28 inserted through a central
top casing wall 3.
ductive. The bottom wall of the rotor 18 is keyed or other
wise rigidly affixed to an axially extending shaft 8b which speed In operation, the input shaft 5 is rotated at a constant
is coaxially aligned with the shaft 8 and is connected shown).by Ita issuitable source of mechanical power (not
contemplated in one typical application of
thereto by a coupling 8a. The shaft 8b is journaled in the invention that such source comprise the power take
spaced bearings 23 and 24 which are respectively posi
tioned in the top wall 22a and the bottom wall 22b of the off of a farming tractor on which the unit is mounted
casing 21. for the purpose of electrostatically spraying agricultural
The outer surface of the stator 17 is spaced from the crops. The output shaft 8 of the multiplier gearing 7 im
inner wall of the rotor 18 to define an annular gap of uni parts simultaneous high-speed rotation to the input pulley
121 of the auxiliary generator 12 and also by way of
form width. This gap, together with all of the space within 30 the
the generator casing 21, is filled with the pressurized gas. coupling 8a and the shaft 8b to the rotor 18 of the
The main electrostatic generator 16 includes a pair of a D.C.generator
main 16. Upon the rotation of the pulley 121,
exciting potential appears at the auxiliary gen
inductor electrodes 19a and 19b which are fixedly sup erator output electrode 124 which illustratively is of the
ported in the cylindrical stator 17 in engagement with
diametrically opposed generatrices thereof. A pair of order of ten kilovolts. This potential is transmitted along
the conductor 125 to the input inductor electrode 19b.
ionizer electrodes 20a and 20b are mounted on the inner of the main generator 16.
wall of the generator casing 21 in diametrically opposed
positions and in alignment with the inductor electrodes Because of the voltage difference between the input
19a and 19b. The inductor electrodes 19a and 19b are electrode 19b and the grounded ionizer electrode 20b,
in the form of elongated metal strips of arcuate cross 40 the electrode 20b continuously deposits electrostatic
section (see FIGURE 2), while the ionizer electrodes 20a charges at the outer surface of the rotor 18. A strong uni
and 20b are thin metallic strips longitudinally inserted in form tangential electrostatic field is created in the annular
grooves in the inner surface of the casing 21 with their gap between the rotor 18 and the stator 17. The pres
exposed longitudinal edges closely spaced from gener surized dielectric gas filling this gap enables the further
atrices of the revolving outer surface of the rotor 18. increase of the filed strength without attaining break
The inductor and ionizer electrodes 19b and 20b con down values. The charges deposited on the rotor 18 by
stitute the input or exciter electrodes of the generator the input electrode 20b are carried around by the rotor
16, while the opposite pair of inductor and ionizer elec to bring the output ionizer electrode 20a to a high volt
trodes 19a and 20a constitute the output electrodes. age far exceeding the exciting voltage. This output voltage
The input inductor and ionizer electrodes 19b and 20b 50 illustratively is several hundred kilovolts and is made
have a D.C. exciting voltage applied thereacross from an availabe on the lead-out conductor 27.
electrostatic generator generally designated at 12. Al To regulate the output voltage despite variations in
though a wide variety of electrostatic generators may be rotor drive speed, load, and other factors, there is pro
used to supply the exciting voltage, in several advanta vided according to a preferred embodiment of the inven
geous embodiments the generator 12 is of the self-exciting tion an electrostatic regulator 26. The regulator 26 is
type disclosed, for example, in copending application Ser. mounted in a casing, shown schematically in FIGURES
No. 296,058 filed July 18, 1963, by Elie Gartner, now 1 and 2 by dot-dash lines, which is supported within the
Patent 3,256,450. The generator 12 includes a small drive hermetically sealed enclosure 1 atop the main generator
casing 21. The regulator includes an electrometer assem
pulley 121 secured on the main drive shaft 8 and a driven bly comprising a pair of generally circular facing elec
pulley 122 mounted for rotation on a bracket 119 carried 60 trodes 30 and 31. The electrode 30 is stationary and is
by the lower supporting plate 10. The pulleys 121 and 122 electrically connected to the output terminal 27 of the
are coupled by means of a belt 13 of rubber or other in generator 16. The electrode 31 is mounted at one end
sulating material. A first ionizing electrode 123 is posi of a two-armed rocking lever 33 which is pivotally sup
tioned in spaced, juxtaposed relationship with the outer
surface of the belt 13 adjacent the pulley 21, and a 65 aported at 34 and is electrically connected to ground by
conductor 130 leading to the grounded plate 4. The
second ionizing electrode 124 is similarly placed near the opposite end of lever 33 carries a point electrode 35 which
outer belt surface adjacent the pulley 122. is displaceable axially through a grounded masking ring
As more fully explained in the copending application 36 toward and away from a stationary electrode 37.
referred to above, the generator 12 has self-exciting char
acteristics. That is, electric charges appear on the pulleys 70 As best shown in FIGURE 2, this latter electrode is
connected to the output terminal of the exciter generator
121 and 122 due to friction against the belt, and the
12 through a resistor schematically indicated at 39 which
pulleys thus serve as inductors with respect to the respec represents
tively related ionizers 123 and 124. The pulley 121 is fabri the internal resistance of the generator 12.
cated from insulating material, while the pulley 122 is The electrode 31 is biased away from fixed electrode 30
electrically conductive. The ionizer 123 is connected to 75 by a traction spring 32 connected to the lever 33, to
 3,324,315
5 6
similarly bias the point electrode 35 away from the sions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown
electrode 37.
In the operation of the regulator device, the main and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that
generator output voltage appearing across the electrodes various modifications are possible within the scope of the
invention claimed.
30 and 31 creates an electrostatic attraction force be 5 What is claimed is:
tween them so that the movable electrode 3 tends to 1. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
move toward the electrode 30 against the biasing spring bination, a first electrostatic generator including input elec
32. The arrangement is such that as long as the output trode means, output electrode means, and a first conveyor
voltage remains within prescribed limits the position of supported for movement between said input and output
the point electrode 35 relative to the leakage electrode 37 lo electrode means for conveying electric charges therebe
remains the same, and a small amount of glow or corona tween; a Second electrostatic generator including a second
discharge takes place to permit the flow of a leakage conveyor operable to develop an exciting voltage; con
current from the output electrode 124 of the exciter ductor means connected between said second electrostatic
generator 12 to ground by way of the conductor 125, generator and said input electrode means for applying said
the electrodes 37, 36 and 35 and the lever arm 33. exciting voltage to the input of said first electrostatic gen
Should the main generator output voltage increase be erator; power input means including a rotary shaft con
yond the prescribed range, the electrode 31 moves to nected to both of said conveyors for driving the same, to
ward the electrode 30 to rock the lever 33 counterclock produce a high output voltage at the output electrode
wise. The electrode 35 protrudes further beyond the means of said first electrostatic generator; and voltage
shielding ring 36 toward the leakage electrode 37 to in 20 regulator means connected to said output electrode means
crease the leakage current and reduce the exciting voltage and also to said second electrostatic generator for varying
applied to the inductor electrode 19b of the main gen the exciting voltage applied to said input electrode means
erator, thereby reducing the generator output voltage. in response to variations in said high output voltage.
If the output voltage drops beneath the prescribed range, 2. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
the effects are reversed. Thus, the leakage current de 25 bination, a housing; a first electrostatic generator posi
creases, and a higher exciting voltage is applied to the tioned within said housing, said first electrostatic generator
inductor 19b to increase the generator output. including input electrode means, output electrode means,
If desired, one-way regulation may be used. In this and a first rotor for receiving electric charges from said
latter situation, the biasing force exerted by the spring 32
on the lever 33 is such that, as long as the generator 30 input electrode means and depositing said charges on said
output electrode means; a second electrostatic generator
output voltage does not exceed a prescribed maximum, positioned within said housing and including a second
the point electrode 35 is spaced sufficiently far from the rotor rotatable with said first rotor for developing an
electrode 37 that the discharge leakage from electrode 37 exciting voltage; conductor means connected between said
through electrode 35 to ground is zero.
In the modified embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, second electrostatic generator and said input electrode
parts corresponding to parts of the FIGURE 1 embodi 3 5 said means for applying said exciting voltage to the input of
ment are similarly designated and will not be described first electrostatic generator; power input means in
anew. In the FIGURE 3 modification, the drive shaft for cluding a rotary shaft connected to both of said rotors for
the apparatus, instead of being driven from a source of driving the same, to produce a high output voltage at the
mechanical power outside the hermetically sealed con 40 output electrode means of said first electrostatic generator;
and voltage regulator means connected to said output elec
tainer 2, is rotated by an electric motor 40 mounted with trode means and also to said second electrostatic genera
in the container. The motor 40 is supported from the tor for varying the exciting voltage applied to said input
under side of the lower plate 10' and includes an output electrode means in response to variations in said high
shaft 8" which serves as the drive shaft and is connected output voltage.
to the pulley 121 and the spring coupling 8a in a manner 3. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
similar to that described heretofore in connection with
the shaft 8 of FIGURE 1. The energizing leads for the bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a main electro
motor 40 extend through an insulating plug 41 in sealing static generator positioned within said housing, said main
relation with the container 2. This plug is positioned in electrostatic generator including input electrode means,
a central opening in the base plate 4. The shaft 8" drives output electrode means, and a first conveyor supported for
the rotors 18 and 21 for the main and auxiliary gen movement between said input and output electrode means
for conveying electric charges therebetween; only a single
erators directly, no multiplier gearing being employed. auxiliary
By mounting the motor 40 within the container, only the electrostatic generator positioned within said
comparatively low voltage leads for the motor protrude housing and including a second conveyor operable to de
therefrom, and the seal between the power input and 55 velop an exciting voltage, said auxiliary electrostatic gen
erator being of the self-priming and self-exciting type;
the container is further simplified.
It will of course be apparent that various changes and conductor means disposed within said housing and con
modifications may be introduced without departing from nected between said auxiliary electrostatic generator and
the spirit or scope of the invention. As an illustration, in said input electrode means for applying said exciting volt
some cases there is provided a main electrostatic generator age to the input of said main electrostatic generator; and
having more than the two pairs of input and output elec 60 only a single power input means extending into said hous
trodes employed in connection with the illustrated embodi ing in sealing relation therewith for operating both of said
ments. In addition, the voltage regulating device may conveyors, to produce a high output voltage at the output
differ from that disclosed or in some cases may be omitted, electrode means of said main electrostatic generator with
particularly for applications in which a highly stable out 65 out external priming leads extending into said housing.
put voltage is not needed. Moreover, the manner in which 4. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
power is applied to the rotors of the main and auxiliary bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a body of pressur
generators may differ from the two forms shown, and in ized gas having high dielectric rigidity within said housing:
a main electrostatic generator in said housing, said main
some situations the rotors may be driven magnetically from
outside the sealed container. Still other changes will occur 70 electrostatic
trode means
generator including a main rotor, input elec
associated with said main rotor for depositing
to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing dis electric charges thereon upon application of an exciting
closure.
The terms and expressions which have been employed voltage to said input electrode means, and output electrode
are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and means associated with said main rotor for withdrawing
charges therefrom; only a single auxiliary electrostatic gen
there is no intention in the use of such terms and expres 75 erator within said housing and including an auxiliary rotor
 3,324,315
7 3
rotatable with said main rotor for developing an exciting housing auxiliary electrostatic generator positioned within said
voltage, said auxiliary electrostatic generator being of the and including an auxiliary rotor rotatable with
self-priming and self-exciting type, conductor means dis Said main rotor for developing an exciting voltage; con
posed within said housing and connected between said ductor means connected between said auxiliary electro
auxiliary electrostatic generator and said input electrode 5 Static generator and said input electrode means for apply
ing said exciting voltage to the input of said main electro
means for applying said exciting voltage to the input of
said main electrostatic generator; and only a single power static generator; power input means for rotating both of
input means extending into said housing for simultaneous said rotors, to produce a high output voltage at the output
ly rotating both of said rotors, to produce a high output electrode means of said main electrostatic generator; and
means including a voltage regulator supported within said
voltage at the output electrode means of said main electro O housing,
static generator without external priming leads extending said voltage regulator being connected to said
into said housing. output electrode means and also to said auxiliary electro
5. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com static generator to vary the exciting voltage applied to said
bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a body of pres input electrode means in response to variations in said
surized gas having high dielectric rigidity within said hous high output voltage.
9. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
ing; a main electrostatic generator in said housing, said
main electrostatic generator including a main rotor, input bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a body of pres
electrode means associated with said main rotor for de surized gas having high dielectric rigidity within said hous
positing electric charges thereon upon application of an ing; a main electrostatic generator in said housing, said
exciting voltage to the said input electrode means, and 20 main electrostatic generator including input electrode
output electrode means associated with said main rotor for means, output electrode means, and a main rotor sup
withdrawing charges therefrom; only a single auxiliary ported for movement between said input and output elec
electrostatic generator positioned within said housing and trode means for conveying electric charges therebetween;
a self-exciting auxiliary electrostatic generator positioned
including an auxiliary rotor rotatable with said main rotor
for developing an exciting voltage, said auxiliary electro within said housing and including an auxiliary rotor rotat
static generator being of the self-priming and Self-exciting able with said main rotor for developing an exciting volt
type; conductor means disposed within said housing and age; conductor means connected between said auxiliary
connected between said auxiliary electrostatic generator electrostatic generator and said input electrode means for
applying said exciting voltage to the input of said main
and said input electrode means for applying said exciting electrostatic
voltage to the input of said main electrostatic generator; 30 rotary shaft ingenerator; power input means including a
driving relation with both of said rotors for
and only a single power input means extending into said rotating the same, to produce a high output voltage at the
housing for simultaneously rotating both of said rotors,
said power input means including a rotary shaft extending tor; output electrode means of said main electrostatic genera
into said housing in sealing relationship there with and and means including a voltage regulator supported
means for coupling said shaft with said rotors, to produce within said housing, said voltage regulator being connected
a high output voltage at the output electrode means of said to said output electrode means and also to said auxiliary
main electrostatic generator without external priming electrostatic generator to vary the exciting voltage applied
to said input electrode means in response to variations in
leads extending into said housing.
6. An electrostatic generator unit of the character set 40 said 10.
high output voltage.
An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
forth in claim 5, said power input means including speed bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a main electro
multiplier gearing operatively interposed within Said hous static generator positioned within said housing, said main
ing between said shaft and said rotors, to drive said rotors electrostatic generator including a rotor and a stator in
at the same speed. spaced-apart relationship with each other, input electrode
7. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com means
bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a body of pres 45 electricassociated charges
with said rotor and stator for depositing
on said rotor upon the application of an
surized gas having high dielectric rigidity within said hous exciting voltage to said input electrode means, and output
ing; a main electrostatic generator in said housing, said electrode means associated with said rotor and stator for
main electrostatic generator including a main rotor, input withdrawing charges from said rotor; a self-priming and
electrode means associated with said main rotor for de self-exciting auxiliary electrostatic generator positioned
positing electric charges thereon upon application of an 50 within said housing, said auxiliary electrostatic generator
exciting voltage to said input electrode means, and output including a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley,
electrode means associated with said main rotor for with a belt interconnecting said pulleys, and input and output
drawing charges therefrom; only a single auxiliary elec electrodes
trostatic generator within said housing and including an belt adjacentclosely spaced from the outer surface of the
the respective pulleys for respectively deposit
auxiliary rotor rotatable with said main rotor for develop 55 ing and withdrawing charges on and from the belt, to de
ing an exciting voltage, said auxiliary electrostatic gen
erator being of the self-priming and self-exciting type; tor means disposed within atsaidthehousing
velop an exciting voltage output electrode; conduc
and connecting the
conductor means disposed within said housing and con output electrode of the auxiliary electrostatic generator to
nected between said auxiliary electrostatic generator and
said input electrode means for applying said exciting voit tor for applying said exciting voltage thereto; an genera
60 the input electrode means of the main electrostatic
output
age to the input of said main electrostatic generator; and
power input means including an electric motor within said terminal connected to the output electrode means of Said
housing for simultaneously rotating both of said rotors main means
electrostatic generator; and only a single power input
extending into said housing for rotating said rotor
and only a single set of energizing leads extending into said
housing for supplying current to said motor, to produce a 65 and one of said pulleys, to produce a high output voltage
at said output terminal without external priming leads
high output voltage at the output electrode means of Said extending into said housing.
main electrostatic generator without external priming 11. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
leads extending into said housing.
8. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com bination, a hermetically sealed container; a main electro
bination, a housing; a main electrostatic generator posi 70 static generator in the container including a rotor and a
tioned within said housing, said main electrostatic genera stator defining a uniform annular gap therebetween, input
tor including input electrode means, output electrode electrode means associated with said rotor and stator for
means, and a main rotor for receiving electric charges depositing electric charges on said rotor upon the applica
form said input electrode means and depositing said tion of an exciting voltage to said input electrode means,
charges on said output electrode means; a self-exciting 75 and output electrode means associated with said rotor and
 3,324,315
10
stator for withdrawing charges from said rotor; only a tainer in sealing relation therewith for rotating said rotor
single self-priming and self-exciting auxiliary electrostatic and one of said pulleys, to produce a high output voltage
generator positioned within said container including a first at the output electrode means of said main electrostatic
rotatable pulley mechanically connected for rotation with generator; a body of pressurized gas having a relatively
said rotor, a second rotatable pulley, a belt interconnecting high dielectric strength disposed within said container for
said pulleys, and input and output electrodes closely spaced increasing the electrostatic field in said annular gap and in
from the outer surface of the belt adjacent the respective the space surrounding said belt; and voltage regulator
pulleys for respectively depositing and withdrawing charges means supported within said container for varying the ex
on and from the belt, to develop an exciting voltage at the citing voltage applied to said input electrode means in re
output electrode; conductor means disposed within said 10 sponse to variations in said high output voltage, said volt
container and connecting the output electrode of the auxil age regulator means being connected to said output elec
iary electrostatic generator to the input electrode means trode means and also to said input electrode means.
of the main electrostatic generator for applying said ex 14. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
citing voltage thereto; an output terminal connected to the bination, a hermetically sealed container; a main electro
output electrode means of said main electrostatic generator static generator positioned within said container, said main
and extending out of the container in sealing relation electrostatic generator including a rotor and a stator defin
therewith; and only a single power input means extending ing a uniform annular gap therebetween, input electrode
into the container in sealing relation therewith for rotating means cooperating with said rotor and stator for deposit
said rotor and first pulley, to produce a high output voltage ing electric charges on said rotor upon the application of
at said output terminal without external priming leads 20 an exciting voltage to said input electrode means, and out
extending into said container. put electrode means cooperating with said rotor and stator
12. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com for withdrawing charges from said rotor; a self-exciting
bination, a hermetically sealed housing; a main electro auxiliary electrostatic generator in the container including
static generator positioned within said housing, said main a first rotatable pulley mechanically connected for rota
electrostatic generator including a rotor and a stator defin tion with said rotor, a second rotatable pulley, a belt inter
ing a uniform annular gap therebetween, input electrode connecting said pulleys, and input and output electrodes
means associated with said rotor and stator for depositing closely spaced from the outer surface of the belt adjacent
electric charges on said rotor upon the application of an the respective pulleys for respectively depositing and with
exciting voltage to said input electrode means, and output drawing charges on and from the belt; conductor means
electrode means associated with said rotor and stator for 30 connecting the output electrode of the auxiliary electro
withdrawing charges from said rotor; a self-priming and static generator to the input electrode means of the main
self-exciting auxiliary electrostatic generator in said hous
ing including a first rotatable pulley mechanically con electrostatic generator for applying said exciting voltage
thereto; a high-voltage output terminal connected to the
nected for rotation with said rotor, a second rotatable
pulley spaced from said first pulley, a belt interconnecting 3 5 tor andelectrode
output means of said main electrostatic genera
extending out of the container in sealing relation
said pulleys, and input and output electrodes in juxtaposi therewith; power input means extending into the container
tion with the outer surface of said belt adjacent the re in sealing relation therewith for rotating said rotor and
spective pulleys for respectively depositing and withdraw said first pulley, to produce a high output voltage at said
ing charges on and from the belt, to develop an exciting output electrode means and hence at said high-voltage out
voltage at the output electrode; conductor means disposed 40 put terminal, said power input means including a rotary
within said housing and connecting the output electrode of
the auxiliary electrostatic generator to the input electrode coupledextending
shaft
to said
into said container and mechanically
rotor and to said first pulley; a body of
means of the main electrostatic generator for applying pressurized gas having a relatively high dielectric strength
said exciting voltage thereto; a high-voltage output termi disposed wtihin said container for increasing the electro
nal connected to the output electrode means of said main static field in said annular gap and in the space Surround
electrostatic generator and extending out of said housing ing said belt; and voltage regulator means Supported with
in sealing relation therewith; only a single power input in said container for varying the exciting voltage applied
means extending into the housing in sealing relation there to said input electrode means in repsonse to variations in
with for rotating said rotor and said first pulley, to produce said high output voltage, said voltage regulator means be
a high output voltage at said output terminal without ex 50 ing
ternal priming leads extending into said housing; and a saidconnected auxiliary
to said output electrode means and also to
electrostatic generator.
body of pressurized gas having a relatively high dielectric 15. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
strength disposed within said housing for increasing the bination, a hermetically sealed container of generally cylin
electrostatic field in said annular gap and in the space drical configuration; a main electrostatic generator posi
surrounding said belt. *
13. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com 55 tioned
erator
within said container; said main electrostatic gen
including a rotor and a stator defining a uniform
bination, a hermetically sealed container; a main electro annular gap therebetween, input electrode means asso
static generator positioned within said container, said main ciated with said rotor and stator for depositing electric
electrostatic generator inclduing a rotor and a stator defin charges on said rotor upon the application of an exciting
ing a uniform annular gap therebetween, input electrode 60 voltage to said input electrode means, and output electrode
means cooperating with said rotor and stator for deposit means associated with said rotor and stator for withdraw
ing electric charges on said rotor upon the application of ing charges from said rotor; a self-exciting auxiliary elec
an exciting voltage to said input electrode means, and out trostatic generator in the container including a first rotat
put electrode means cooperating with said rotor and able pulley mechanically connected for rotation with said
stator for withdrawing charges from said rotor; a Self 65 rotor, a second rotatable pulley, a belt interconnecting said
exciting auxiliary electrostatic generator in the container pulleys, and input and output electrodes closely spaced
including a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley, from the outer surface of the belt adjacent the respective
a belt interconnecting said pulleys, and input and output pulleys for respectively depositing and withdrawing charges
electrodes closely spaced from the outer surface of the belt on and from the belt; conductor means connecting the
adjacent the respective pulleys for respectively depositing 70 output electrode of the auxiliary electrostatic generator to
and withdrawing charges on and from the belt; conductor the input electrode means of the main electrostatic gen
means connecting the output electrode of the auxiliary erator for applying said exciting voltage thereto; a high
electrostatic generator to the input electrode means of the voltage output terminal connected to the output electrode
main electrostatic generator for applying said exciting volt means of the main generator and extending out of the
tage thereto; power input means extending into the con 75 container in sealing relation therewith; power input means
 3,324,315
extending into the container in sealing relation therewith
for rotating said rotor and said first pulley, to produce a
high output voltage at said output electrode means and
hence at said high-voltage output terminal, said power
input means including an electric motor sealed within said
container and conductor means extending into the con
tainer for supplying power to said motor; and a body of
pressurized gas having a relatively high dielectric strength
disposed within said container for increasing the electro
static field in said annular gap and in the space surrounding
said belt; and voltage regulator means supported within
said container for varying the exciting voltage applied to
said input electrode means in response to variations in
said high output voltage, said voltage regulator means be
ing connected to said output electrode means and also to
said auxiliary electrostatic generator.
16. An electrostatic generator unit comprising, in com
bination, a generally cylindrical hermetically sealed con
tainer; a main eletcrostatic generator in said container in
cluding a cylindrical rotor and a cylindrical stator both
coaxial with the container and defining an annular gap be
tween the rotor and stator, both said rotor and said stator
being fabricated from dielectric material, input electrodes
including a first ionizer electrode and a first inductor elec
trode associated with said rotor and said stator for deposit
ing charges on the rotor, and output electrodes including
a second ionizer electrode and a second inductor electrode
associated with said rotor and said stator for withdrawing
charges from the rotor; a self-priming and self-exciting
auxiliary electrostatic generator in said container including
a first pulley coaxial with and rotatable with said rotor, a
second rotatable pulley, an insulating belt interconnecting
12
said pulleys, and additional input and output ionizing elec
trodes closely spaced from the outer belt surface adjacent
the respective pulleys for respectively depositing and with
drawing charges on and from said belt; a conductor dis
5 posed within said container and connecting the auxiliary
generator output electrode to the input electrode of the
main generator for applying an exciting voltage thereto; a
high-voltage output terminal connected to the output elec
trode of the main generator and extending out of the con
10 tainer through one end wall thereof in insulated sealing
relation therewith; only a single power input means ex
tending into the container from the opposite end wall there
of in sealing relation therewith and including a drive shaft
in the container extending axially thereof and coaxially
coupled with said first pulley and said rotor, to produce a
high output voltage at said high-voltage output terminal
without external priming leads extending into said con
tainer; and a body of pressurized gas having relatively high
dielectric strength within said container.
20
References Cited
UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,702,869 2/1955 Felici --------------- ? - - - - - - 310-6
2,840,729 6/1958 Kreuthimeir ----------- 310-6
2,860,264 11/1958 Felici ---------------- 310-6
FOREIGN PATENTS
201457 9/1955 Australia.
1,077,314 3/1960 Germany.
30
MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, Primary Examiner.
J. W. GIBBS, Assistant Examiner.