Performance Characteristics of a Pulse-Charging System

A prototype pulse-charging circuit has been developed consisting of high-voltage RF bursts superimposed onto a 60-Hz modulating field. The supply is connected to a four-electrode system that generates ac pulse corona. By selecting the burst initiation time, either positive or negative ions can be generated and transferred across an air gap of a few centimeters. The performance of the circuit has been determined by charging metal and glass spheres that have been mounted on insulated stalks. Variations have been made in the modulating field and burst characteristics to optimize the performance. Comparisons have been made between the pulse charger and inductive schemes which are available for the electrostatic levitation of objects. The pulse charger has been found to be more effective at corresponding voltages.