Conductive dust detection

摘要

An apparatus is provided, which includes a dust detector, a voltage source, and a controller. The dust detector includes two opposing surfaces and a conductive dust sensor. The two opposing surfaces are disposed in spaced, opposing relation to allow for the passage of airflow between the surfaces, and the conductive dust sensor is disposed at a surface of the two opposing surfaces. The voltage source is configured and controlled to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces to facilitate directing conductive particles in the airflow passing between the two opposing surfaces towards the dust sensor. The controller monitors for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor and determines whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of conductive dust, and if so, automatically indicates a conductive dust warning.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a dust detector comprising:
two opposing surfaces disposed in spaced, opposing relation with a gap therebetween to facilitate passage of an airflow in-between the two opposing surfaces substantially parallel thereto; a conductive dust sensor, the conductive dust sensor comprising conductive lines exposed on one surface of the two opposing surfaces; a voltage source to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces, the electrostatic field facilitating re-directing, at least in part, conductive dust particles in the airflow passing in-between the two opposing surfaces towards the conductive lines of the conductive dust sensor exposed on the one surface of the two opposing surfaces; and a controller configured to monitor for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor due to conductive dust particles settling on the exposed conductive lines on the one surface of the two opposing surfaces within the gap between the two opposing surfaces, and to determine whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of the conductive dust particles, and responsive to the leakage current exceeding the predetermined trigger level, to automatically indicate a conductive dust warning.