Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge so as to produce a product, said apparatus having first and second electrodes which are spaced from one another, a dielectric means located between said electrodes and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said dielectric means and said first electrode, sealing means surrounding the periphery of said gap and inlet and outlet means for use in circulating a fluid through said gap between said electrodes in which the improvement comprises: said dielectric means consisting of at least one layer of a first dielectric material exposed to said gap and at least one layer of a second dielectric material located between said first dielectric material and said second electrode, said layers and said dielectric means fitting closely against one another and against said second electrode so that there are no voids between said layers and between said dielectric means and said second electrode, said first dielectric material including overlapping, flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition, said second dielectric material being different from said first dielectric material so as to minimize the possibility of flaws in said first and second dielectric materials being located adjacent to one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge so as to produce a product, said apparatus having first and second electrodes which are spaced from one another, a dielectric means located between said electrodes and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said dielectric means and said first electrode, sealing means surrounding the periphery of said gap and inlet and outlet means for use in circulating a fluid through said gap between said electrodes in which the improvement comprises: said dielectric means consisting of at least one layer of a first dielectric material exposed to said gap and at least one layer of a second dielectric material located between said first dielectric material and said second electrode, said layers and said dielectric means fitting closely against one another and against said second electrode so that there are no voids between said layers and between said dielectric means and said second electrode, said first dielectric material including overlapping, flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition, said second dielectric material being different from said first dielectric material so as to minimize the possibility of flaws in said first and second dielectric materials being located adjacent to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said second dielectric material comprises at least one layer of a polymer film which is substantially free from internal imperfections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said layer of said first dielectric material comprises a sheet of fiberglass cloth adhered to and supporting a plurality of said particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: there are a plurality of layers of said first dielectric material, each of said layers comprising a sheet of fiberglass cloth adhered to and supporting a plurality of said particles, there are a plurality of layers of said second dielectric material, each of said layers of said second dielectric material comprising a sheet of a polymer film which is substantially free from internal imperfections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said particles are mica particles and said polymer film is an oriented film of a linear condensation polymer of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein: there are no voids between said layers of said dielectric material and between said dielectric means and said second electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein: the surfaces of said first electrode and of said dielectric means exposed to said gap are both covered with an adherent coating of titanium dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said sealing means is capable of expanding and contracting and including adjusting means for adjusting the relative positions of said first and said second electrodes while said sealing means maintains a seal surrounding the periphery of said gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said sealing means comprises a resilient washer which is substantially inert to any fluid which will contact said washer during the use of said apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
271 words
A single cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge, said cell having first and second electrodes which are spaced from one another, and no other electrodes than said first and second electrodes, a dielectric means located between said electrodes and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said dielectric means and said first electrode, sealing means surrounding the periphery of said gap, an inlet and outlet means for use in circulating a fluid through said gap between said electrodes in which the improvement comprises: said sealing means being capable of expanding and contracting so as to permit a variation in the thickness of said gap between said first electrode and said dielectric means, adjustment means for use in adjusting the relative positions of said first and said second electrodes so as to vary said thickness of said gap and so as to vary the spacing between said electrodes while said sealing means maintains a seal surrounding the periphery of said gap, said dielectric means comprises a multilayer dielectric structure, the layers of said structure extending parallel to said gap, the layer of said structure closest adjacent to said gap consisting of a series of flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition located in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another so as to define a barrier capable of deformation where said particles overlap one another, at least one other layer of said dielectric structure including a film of a dimensionally stable dielectric polymer means which is capable of limited movement so as to accommodate temperature caused stresses and strains therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
271 words
A single cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge, said cell having first and second electrodes which are spaced from one another, and no other electrodes than said first and second electrodes, a dielectric means located between said electrodes and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said dielectric means and said first electrode, sealing means surrounding the periphery of said gap, an inlet and outlet means for use in circulating a fluid through said gap between said electrodes in which the improvement comprises: said sealing means being capable of expanding and contracting so as to permit a variation in the thickness of said gap between said first electrode and said dielectric means, adjustment means for use in adjusting the relative positions of said first and said second electrodes so as to vary said thickness of said gap and so as to vary the spacing between said electrodes while said sealing means maintains a seal surrounding the periphery of said gap, said dielectric means comprises a multilayer dielectric structure, the layers of said structure extending parallel to said gap, the layer of said structure closest adjacent to said gap consisting of a series of flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition located in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another so as to define a barrier capable of deformation where said particles overlap one another, at least one other layer of said dielectric structure including a film of a dimensionally stable dielectric polymer means which is capable of limited movement so as to accommodate temperature caused stresses and strains therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said sealing means comprises a flexible, resilient inert gasket located between said first electrode and said dielectric means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including: reinforcing structural member means located on the sides of said first and said second electrodes remote from one another and extending across said electrodes, and wherein said adjustment means comprises fastener means connecting the extremities of said structural member means on opposite sides of said electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said sealing means comprises a flexible, resilient gasket which is substantially inert during the use of said apparatus located between said first electrode and said dielectric means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said second electrode includes a groove formed around the perimeter therein and said dielectric means includes a dielectric washer located in said groove and in contact with at least one other layer of said dielectric structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including: a dielectric catalyst coating located on said layer of said particles exposed to said gap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including: an adherent coating of titanium dioxide located upon the surface of said first electrode exposed to said gap and another coating of titanium dioxide located upon said layer of said particles so as to be exposed to said gap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said dielectric structure is void-free and the layers thereof are adhesively bonded to one another and there are no voids between said dielectric structure and said second electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
242 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said dielectric means comprises a multi-layer dielectric structure, the layers of said structure extending parallel to said gap, the layer of said structure closest adjacent to said gap consisting of a series of flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition located in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another so as to define a barrier capable of deformation where said particles overlap one another, at least one other layer of said dielectric structure including a film of a dimensionally stable dielectric polymer means and which is capable of limited movement so as to accommodate temperature caused stresses and strains therein, said dielectric structure is void-free and the layers thereof are adhesively bonded to one another and there are no voids between said dielectric structure and said second electrode, an adherent coating of titanium dioxide located upon the surface of said first electrode exposed to said gap and another coating of titanium dioxide located upon said layer of said particles so as to be exposed to said gap, said sealing means comprises a flexible, resilient inert gasket located between said first electrode and said dielectric means, reinforcing structural member means located on the sides of said first and said second electrodes remote from one another and extending across said electrodes, and wherein said adjustment means comprise fastener means connecting the extremities of said structural member means on opposite sides of said electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein: said second electrode includes a groove formed around the perimeter therein and said dielectric means includes a dielectric washer located in said groove and in contact with at least one other layer of said dielectric structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
213 words
A fluid treatment cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge which comprises: a first electrode, a dielectric structure located adjacent to and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said first electrode and said dielectric structure, sealing means for forming a seal so as to close off said gap located between said dielectric structure and said first electrode, a second electrode located adjacent to said dielectric structure on the side thereof remote from said first electrode, said dielectric structure including at least one barrier layer of inert, inorganic particles located adjacent to said gap and at least one layer of a different dielectric material located between said barrier layer and said second electrode, said dielectric structure being substantially void free, having a uniform thickness between said electrodes and having uniform dielectric properties across said thickness, terminal means for supplying electric power to said electrode, an inlet means leading into said gap for introducing a fluid into said gap, an outlet means leading from said gap located so as to be spaced from said inlet means, said outlet means being for removing a fluid from within said gap, securing means for holding said electrodes and said sealing means and said dielectric structure together as herein defined.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
213 words
A fluid treatment cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge which comprises: a first electrode, a dielectric structure located adjacent to and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said first electrode and said dielectric structure, sealing means for forming a seal so as to close off said gap located between said dielectric structure and said first electrode, a second electrode located adjacent to said dielectric structure on the side thereof remote from said first electrode, said dielectric structure including at least one barrier layer of inert, inorganic particles located adjacent to said gap and at least one layer of a different dielectric material located between said barrier layer and said second electrode, said dielectric structure being substantially void free, having a uniform thickness between said electrodes and having uniform dielectric properties across said thickness, terminal means for supplying electric power to said electrode, an inlet means leading into said gap for introducing a fluid into said gap, an outlet means leading from said gap located so as to be spaced from said inlet means, said outlet means being for removing a fluid from within said gap, securing means for holding said electrodes and said sealing means and said dielectric structure together as herein defined.