US3701236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modularized electrostatic precipitator
Assignee: Energy Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-01
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained electrostatic precipitator module adapted to be inserted into and removed from a housing as a unitary assembly includes a slatted, endless belt defining a composite attractor electrode-collector electrode subassembly, a forced air system for cooling and cleaning electrode holder structures, a power supply for establishing the charging and precipitating fields, a drive motor and train and mounting system for moving the endless belt, and rotary brushes at a remote location for neutralizing and cleaning the belt. The belt slats are flat, rigid members of simplified design and are individually mounted to allow selective replacement of a local belt section. Insulating gaps of optimized configurations are provided around high-potential electrode holders to prevent electrical shorting or sparking. Increased capacity is readily obtainable by employing plural units arranged in parallel within a common housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard A Rotsky
- 👤 Gilbert M Dunne Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:02
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03C; B03C3/00; B03C3/02; B03C3/04; B03C3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
An electrostatic precipitator comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream entraining particles to be precipitated, means defining at least two enclosed gas ducts extending between the inlet and the outlet, the ducts being spaced apart in opposed relation and defining between the facing surfaces thereof a flow path for the effluent stream, an ionizer electrode extending transversely of the flow path at an upstream region thereof, a passive field electrode disposed transversely of the flow path downstream of the ionizer electrode, a pair of parallel, endless chains arranged transverse to the flow path and spaced therealong in the direction of effluent flow, a multiplicity of elongate slats extending lengthwise between the chains and arranged in parallel, side-by-side relation to form an endless belt, each slat having an electrically conductive region formed thereon adjacent the upstream end thereof and a dielectric region formed thereon downstream of the conductive region, the conductive and dielectric regions of each slat being aligned with the corresponding regions of the other slats so as to define a conductive band and a dielectric band around the periphery of the belt, means for mounting the ionizer electrode and the passive field electrode between the ducts in parallel, spaced relation to the slats such that the ionizer electrode is positioned opposite the conductive band and the passive field electrode opposite the dielectric band, said means including conductive holder members extending through the facing surfaces of the ducts, means defining an insulating gap between each holder member and the facing surface of each duct at the point of feed through of the holder member, means associated with the ducts for flowing clean gas through the insulating gaps into the flow path, power supply means for establishing a potential gradient between the ionizer electrode and the opposed conductive band productive of a corona discharge to charge particles entrained in the effluent stream and between the passive field electrode and the opposed dielectric band productive of a nondischarging precipitation field, and means for successively moving the endless belt transversely of the flow path and through a location remote from the flow path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
356 words
An electrostatic precipitator comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream entraining particles to be precipitated, means defining at least two enclosed gas ducts extending between the inlet and the outlet, the ducts being spaced apart in opposed relation and defining between the facing surfaces thereof a flow path for the effluent stream, an ionizer electrode extending transversely of the flow path at an upstream region thereof, a passive field electrode disposed transversely of the flow path downstream of the ionizer electrode, a pair of parallel, endless chains arranged transverse to the flow path and spaced therealong in the direction of effluent flow, a multiplicity of elongate slats extending lengthwise between the chains and arranged in parallel, side-by-side relation to form an endless belt, each slat having an electrically conductive region formed thereon adjacent the upstream end thereof and a dielectric region formed thereon downstream of the conductive region, the conductive and dielectric regions of each slat being aligned with the corresponding regions of the other slats so as to define a conductive band and a dielectric band around the periphery of the belt, means for mounting the ionizer electrode and the passive field electrode between the ducts in parallel, spaced relation to the slats such that the ionizer electrode is positioned opposite the conductive band and the passive field electrode opposite the dielectric band, said means including conductive holder members extending through the facing surfaces of the ducts, means defining an insulating gap between each holder member and the facing surface of each duct at the point of feed through of the holder member, means associated with the ducts for flowing clean gas through the insulating gaps into the flow path, power supply means for establishing a potential gradient between the ionizer electrode and the opposed conductive band productive of a corona discharge to charge particles entrained in the effluent stream and between the passive field electrode and the opposed dielectric band productive of a nondischarging precipitation field, and means for successively moving the endless belt transversely of the flow path and through a location remote from the flow path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 1 further comprising means for removably attaching each slat to the chains separately of the other slats, whereby the slats are individually removable from the belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 2 in which the slats are constructed of rigid, conductive material, and in which the dielectric region of each slat is constituted by a dielectric coating on the slat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 2 in which the slats are constructed of rigid dielectric material overlying a conductive material, and in which the conductive region of each slat is constituted by a conductive coating on the slat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 1 further comprising cleaning means at the remote location for removing particles from the slats.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrosTatic precipitator according to claim 5 further comprising frame means for supporting the gas duct defining means, ionizer electrode and passive field electrode, endless belt and moving means therefor, and potential establishing means in mutual operating relationship and for permitting the insertion thereof into the housing and the removal thereof from the housing as a unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 6 in which the frame means includes rigid guide means extending transversely of the flow path between the spaced ducts for supporting and guiding the endless belt during the movement thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 7 in which the cleaning means comprises rotatable brush means for cleaning and neutralizing the slats.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 1 in which the insulating gap defining means includes means defining an opening of generally circular cross section in the duct facing surface in surrounding relation to each holder member, the inner wall of the opening having a rounded, electrically nondischarging configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 9 in which each holder member is generally circular in cross section, and in which the inner diameter of the surrounding opening is substantially 2.718 times as great as the outer diameter of the holder member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 9 in which the inner wall of the opening constitutes a generally cylindrical sleeve, substantially coaxial with the holder member and extending away from the flow path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
A self-contained electrostatic precipitator module adapted to be inserted as a unitary assembly into a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream to be cleaned comprising: particle charging means, particle collecting means spaced from the particle charging means in the direction of effluent flow and including a movable collecting surface, means for moving the collecting surface through the effluent stream and through a location remote from the stream, means at the remote location for cleaning the collecting surface, electrical power supply means for the particle charging means and the particle collecting means, and frame means independent of the housing for supporting the particle charging means, particle collecting means, collecting surface moving means, cleaning means, and power supply means in mutual operating relationship thereby to provide a self-contained, modular precipitator unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
A self-contained electrostatic precipitator module adapted to be inserted as a unitary assembly into a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream to be cleaned comprising: particle charging means, particle collecting means spaced from the particle charging means in the direction of effluent flow and including a movable collecting surface, means for moving the collecting surface through the effluent stream and through a location remote from the stream, means at the remote location for cleaning the collecting surface, electrical power supply means for the particle charging means and the particle collecting means, and frame means independent of the housing for supporting the particle charging means, particle collecting means, collecting surface moving means, cleaning means, and power supply means in mutual operating relationship thereby to provide a self-contained, modular precipitator unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 12 in which: the movable collecting surface comprises an endless belt, and the surface moving means includes a pair of spaced rotatable shafts, the longitudinal axes of which are parallel and extend in the direction of effluent flow, and drive means connected to at least one of the shafts for rotating the belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 13 in which the endless belt comprises: a pair of chains spaced in the direction of effluent flow, one supported at either end of the shafts, a multiplicity of separate, elongate slats extending lengthwise between the chains in parallel, side-by-side relation, and means for attaching each slat to the chains separately of the other slats, whereby the slats are individually removable from the belt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 14 in which the slats are constructed of rigid, conductive material, and in which each slat has an electrically conductive region formed thereon adjacent the upstream end thereof and a dielectric region formed thereon downstream of the conductive region, the conductive and dielectric regions of each slat being aligned with the corresponding regions of the other slats so as to define a conductive band and a dielectric band around the periphery of the belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 15 in which the particle charging means includes an ionizer electrode positioned in opposed, parallel relation to the conductive band on the belt, and the particle collecting means includes a nondischarging, passive field electrode positioned in opposed, parallel relation to the dielectric band on the belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 16 in which the ionizer electrode is supported by, and electrically connected to, the upstream end of the downstream passive field electrode to form an integral electrode assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electrostatic precipitator module according to claim 14 in which the slats are constructed of rigid, dielectric material overlying a conductive material, and in which each slat has an electrically conductive region formed thereon adjacent the upstream end thereof and a dielectric region formed thereon downstream of the conductive region, the conductive and dielectric regions of each slat being aligned with the corresponding regions of the other slats so as to define a conductive band and a dielectric band around the periphery of the belt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 14 in which the frame means includes at least two enclosed gas ducts extending in the direction of effluent flow, the ducts being spaced apart in opposed relation and defining between the facing surfaces thereof a flow path for the effluent stream, the particle charging means includes an ionizer electrode supported between the facing surfaces of the ducts at an upstream region of the flow path, and the particle collecting means includes a passive electrode supported between the facing surfaces of the ducts downstream of the ionizer electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 19 further comprising conductive electrode holder members extending through the facing surfaces of the ducts for supporting the ionizer electrode and the passive field electrode, and means defining an insulating gap between each holder member and the facing surface of each duct at the point of feed through of the holder member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 20 in which the ionizer electrode is supported by, and electrically connected to, the upstream end of the downstream passive field electrode to form an integral electrode assembly, whereby the ionizer and passive field electrodes are supported between the ducts by common holder members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrostatic precipitator according to claim 19 in which the frame means further includes rigid, guide means extending transversely of the flow path between the spaced ducts for supporting and guiding the endless belt during the movement thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electrostatic precipitator comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream entraining particles to be precipitated, means defining at least one pair of enclosed gas ducts extending between the inlet and the outlet, the ducts being spaced apart in opposed relation and defining between the facing surfaces thereof a flow path for the effluent stream, particle charging means located at an upstream region of the flow path and including a high-potential ionizer electrode extending transversely of the stream, particle collecting means located downstream of the charging means and including a high-potential passive field electrode extending transversely of the stream, means for supporting the ionizer electrode and the passive field electrode between the ducts, said means including conductive holder members extending through the facing surfaces of the ducts, means defining an insulating gap between each holder member and the facing surface of each duct at the point of feed through of the holder member, and means associated with the ducts for flowing clean gas through the insulating gaps into the flow path, thereby to purge particles from the region of the insulating gaps and to prevent outflow of the effluent stream from the flow path.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
199 words
An electrostatic precipitator comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet for an effluent stream entraining particles to be precipitated, means defining at least one pair of enclosed gas ducts extending between the inlet and the outlet, the ducts being spaced apart in opposed relation and defining between the facing surfaces thereof a flow path for the effluent stream, particle charging means located at an upstream region of the flow path and including a high-potential ionizer electrode extending transversely of the stream, particle collecting means located downstream of the charging means and including a high-potential passive field electrode extending transversely of the stream, means for supporting the ionizer electrode and the passive field electrode between the ducts, said means including conductive holder members extending through the facing surfaces of the ducts, means defining an insulating gap between each holder member and the facing surface of each duct at the point of feed through of the holder member, and means associated with the ducts for flowing clean gas through the insulating gaps into the flow path, thereby to purge particles from the region of the insulating gaps and to prevent outflow of the effluent stream from the flow path.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A precipitator according to claim 23 in which the insulating gap defining means includes means defining an opening of generally circular cross section in the duct facing surface in surrounding relation to each holder member, the inner wall of the opening having a rounded, electrically nondischarging configuration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A precipitator according to claim 24 in which each holder member is generally circular in cross section, and in which the inner diameter of the surrounding opening is substantially 2.718 times as great as the outer diameter of the holder member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A precipitator according to claim 24 in which the insulating gap defining means further includes a dielectric member, porous to the clean gas flow, interposed between each holder member and the inner wall of the surrounding opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A precipitator according to claim 24 in which the inner wall of the opening constitutes a generally cylindrical sleeve, substantially coaxial with the holder member and extending away from the flow path.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
A precipitator according to claim 27 in which the cylindrical inner wall is constructed of material porous to the clean gas flow, the end thereof remote from the flow path being closed to gas flow.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A precipitator according to claim 27 in which the insulating gap defining means further includes flow restricting means located within the sleeve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
A precipitator according to claim 23 in which the temperature of the clean gas is substantially lower than that of the effluent stream, thereby to enhance the insulative value of the clean gas flow within the insulating gaps relative to that of the effluent stream at the particle charging means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A precipitator according to claim 23 in which the means for flowing clean gas through the insulating gaps includes blower means coupled to the ducts.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
A precipitator according to claim 23 in which the ionizer electrode is supported by, and electrically connected to, the upstream end of the downstream passive field electrode to form an integral electrode assembly, whereby the ionizer and passive field electrodes are supported between the ducts by common holder members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |