COLLECTING ELECTRODE
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.