Matrix type electrostatic precipitator

Claim 1

An air cleaner comprising: (a) a plurality of first electrically conductive filter elements configured generally in planes, and positioned in a flowing air current in a position where the intersection of each of said first filter elements and a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air current has an area which is very much smaller than the total surface area of each of the first filter elements; (b) a plurality of second electrically conductive filter elements configured generally in planes, and positioned in a flowing air current in a position where the intersection of each of said second filter elements and a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air current has an area which is very much smaller than the total surface area of each of the second filter elements; (c) support means for supporting said first and second electrically conductive filter elements in positions where at least a portion of each of said first filter elements is in facing spaced relationship to a portion of one of said second filter elements, said first and second filter elements defining passages for the flow of air therebetween; and (d) means for applying a first voltage to said first filter elements and a different voltage to said second filter elements; wherein said first filter elements have a corrugated configuration, and said support means comprises means bonding said first electrically conductive filter elements to said second electrically conductive filter elements to form said elements into a matrix having input and output faces, the mechanical strength of said matrix being increased by a non-conductive supportive material coated on one of said faces.