Collecting electrode

Abstract

A collecting electrode element for an electrostatic air cleaner with a reduced weight can be constructed with a lightweight conductive core sandwiched between particle collection layers which are supported and stabilized by a rigid frame. The conductive core may be conductive foil, conductive film, conductive ink, or conductive glue. The particle collecting layers may be flexible open-cell foam such as melamine which may be compressed between opposing frame elements. The frame may leave most and preferably at least 90% of the surface of the particle collecting layers exposed. The frame may have opposing frame elements secured to each other at a compressed area of the particle-collecting layers.

1 . A collecting electrode element comprising:
 a first particle collecting layer having a porous external surface;   a conductive layer adjacent to said first particle collecting layer on a side of said first particle collecting layer opposite of said porous external surface;   a second particle collecting layer having a first side adjacent to a side of said conductive layer opposite said first particle collecting layer and having a porous external surface on a side of said second particle collecting layer opposite of said conductive layer; and   a rigid frame supporting said particle collecting layers.   
     
     
         2 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid frame comprises:
 a first frame element on the side of the first particle collecting layer having said porous external surface; and 
 a second frame element matching said first frame element and located on the side of the second particle collecting layer having said porous external surface. 
 
     
     
         3 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 2  wherein said first frame element is secured to said second frame element. 
     
     
         4 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 3  wherein said frame elements are configured to define open areas exposing most of the sides of the first and second particle collecting layers having said porous external surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 4  wherein said open areas expose at least 90% of the sides of said particle collecting layers having said porous external surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 5  wherein a portion of said first particle collecting layer and a portion of said second particle collecting layer corresponding to a location of said frame elements are compressed. 
     
     
         7 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 6  wherein a thickness of said frame elements and corresponding compressed particle collection layers is equivalent to a thickness of uncompressed first particle collecting layer plus a thickness of compressed second particle collecting layer. 
     
     
         8 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 7  wherein said conductive layer comprises a conductive film. 
     
     
         9 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 7  wherein said conductive layer comprises a conductive foil. 
     
     
         10 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 7  wherein said conductive layer comprises conductive ink. 
     
     
         11 . A collecting electrode element according to  claim 7  wherein said conductive layer comprises a conductive glue. 
     
     
         12 . A collecting electrode according to  claim 1  wherein said rigid frame has an aerodynamical shape.