Ozone cell power supply apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention generally includes an ozone generation system with a power supply that measures the rate of energy delivered to the ozone generation cell. While changing voltage, frequency or current will likely affect the rate of energy delivery, current, frequency and voltage provide a very poor and unreliable control for an ozone generation cell. It is only through control of the rate of energy delivery that consistent, reliable ozone generation is possible. Based upon the measurements of the rate of energy delivery as measured at the ozone generation cell, compared to the rate of energy delivery supplied, the rate of energy delivery supplied can be adjusted to improve ozone production and control.

1 . An ozone generation system comprising:
 an ozone generation cell;   a power supply having a variable output parameter;   a device that measures the rate of energy delivered to the ozone generation cell;   an input setting device; and   a feedback loop controlling the variable output parameter of the power supply such that the rate of energy delivered to the ozone generation cell tends to the setting of the input device.   
     
     
         2 . The ozone generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply includes a series inductor in the output and the variable output parameter of the power supply is frequency. 
     
     
         3 . The ozone generation system of  claim 2 , wherein a phase of current and voltage is detected, wherein if the phase is such that it would cause reversal of feedback, then frequency is changed to constrain operation in a region of frequency without reversal of feedback. 
     
     
         4 . The ozone generation system of  claim 1 , wherein a peak current is detected by a system of comparator(s) such that if current exceeds a predetermined set point, the variable parameter of the power supply is changed in a way to reduce power. 
     
     
         5 . The ozone generation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a comparator. 
     
     
         6 . An ozone generation system, comprising:
 an ozone generation cell;   a current transformer coupled to the ozone generation cell;   a comparator coupled to the current transformer;   a switching device driver coupled to the current transformer;   a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the switching device driver;   an adder coupled to the voltage controller oscillator; and   a flip flop coupled to the comparator and the adder.   
     
     
         7 . The ozone generation system of  claim 6 , wherein the flip flop is coupled between the voltage controlled oscillator and the switching device driver. 
     
     
         8 . The ozone generation system of  claim 7 , further comprising an integrator coupled between the adder and the voltage controlled oscillator. 
     
     
         9 . The ozone generation system of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more switching device coupled to the switching device driver. 
     
     
         10 . The ozone generation system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a choke and capacitor coupled the one or more switching device; and   a step up transformer coupled to the choke and capacitor and to the current transformer.   
     
     
         11 . The ozone generation system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a voltage supply;   a current sensing resistor coupled to the voltage supply and the one or more switching device; and   a differential amplifier coupled to the current sensing resistor and the adder.   
     
     
         12 . The ozone generation system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a comparator coupled to the current transformer; and   a multi-vibrator coupled to the comparator and the adder.   
     
     
         13 . The ozone generation system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an inverter coupled to the adder;   an analog isolator coupled to the inverter;   a control signal coupled to the analog isolator; and   a display coupled to the analog isolator.   
     
     
         14 . The ozone generation system of  claim 13 , wherein the ozone generation cell comprises:
 a first electrode;   a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; and   a dielectric element disposed between the first electrode and a second electrode.   
     
     
         15 . The ozone generation system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a window comparator coupled to the current transformer; and   a multi-vibrator coupled to the window comparator and the adder.   
     
     
         16 . The ozone generation system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an inverter coupled to the adder;   an analog isolator coupled to the inverter;   a control signal coupled to the analog isolator; and   a display coupled to the analog isolator.   
     
     
         17 . A method of generating ozone, comprising:
 delivering power to an ozone generating cell;   measuring the rate of energy delivery applied to the ozone generating cell; and   adjusting a parameter of the output applied to the ozone generation cell.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the measuring comprises developing an analog of power supplied to one or more switching elements. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the measuring comprises feeding the measurement of power to a window comparator and delivering a pulse to an adder unit through a multi-vibrator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising changing the frequency of the power in response to the measuring.