Corona Discharge Conductive Strip with Tooth Structures for Dust Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas purification systems, such as those described in US6511258, US6106592, EP0808660, WO2007100254, and EP2208538, are either complex, inefficient, or only effective for positively charged particles, failing to adequately remove fine dust and germs from air, particularly in agricultural applications.

Innovation Solution

A gas purification system utilizing a corona discharge system with a conductive strip having tooth structures and a counter electrode, where the conductive strip is configured with a zigzag structure and applies a DC voltage of at least 10 kV, creating an electric wind to charge and direct particles towards the counter electrode for effective purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional wire electrodes are used in corona discharge systems, then the system structure is simple, but the purification efficiency is low and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive strip is segmented into multiple tooth structures with sharp edges, where each tooth acts as an independent corona discharge source. This segmentation increases the total discharge surface area and improves purification efficiency while maintaining reasonable energy consumption through distributed discharge points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tooth structures concentrate electrical charge at their sharp edges, creating localized regions of high electric field intensity. This local quality enhancement at the tooth edges maximizes corona discharge effectiveness and particle charging efficiency without requiring high overall system voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 3:

The conductive strip is arranged in a zigzag configuration rather than a straight line, adding spatial dimensionality to the electrode arrangement. This zigzag layout increases the effective discharge area and creates multiple discharge zones along the gas flow path, improving purification efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex particle catch arrangements with networks of conductive materials are used, then positively charged particles can be caught, but the system becomes complicated and only catches positively charged particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle charge polarity coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive strip with tooth structures serves multiple functions: it generates corona discharge, charges particles of both polarities, and creates the electric field for particle collection. This single component design handles both positively and negatively charged particles without requiring separate systems for each polarity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex networks to attract positively charged particles as in prior art, the invention uses corona discharge from sharp tooth edges to actively charge particles and then uses the resulting electric field to collect them, inverting the traditional approach and achieving broader particle polarity coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If high voltage is applied to create strong electric fields for particle removal, then particle removal efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle removal efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the electrode to sharp tooth structures with small radius of curvature. This parameter change concentrates the electric field at the tooth edges, allowing effective corona discharge and particle charging at lower applied voltages, thus improving removal efficiency while reducing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the need for high overall system voltage with localized field enhancement through sharp geometric features. The mechanical shape of the teeth substitutes for high electrical potential, creating intense local electric fields that achieve effective particle charging and collection without requiring high energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves better purification results with lower energy consumption compared to traditional wire electrodes, offering greater dimensional flexibility and improved efficiency in removing fine dust and germs from air, including both positively and negatively charged particles.

Implementation Method 1

a corona discharge system, the corona discharge system comprising (a) a conductive strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

creating an electric wind to charge and direct particles towards the counter electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric wind: Ion Wind

Implementation Method 3

a voltage generator configured to apply a DC voltage of preferably at least 10 kV, to the conductive strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 4

the polarity of the electrostatic charge on the filter media is selected to enhance the removal of captured solid particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentEP2776168B1Apparatus with conductive strip for dust removal and method therefore
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 MEMIC EURO
  • EP2776168B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1f
  • EP2776168B1 patent drawingFigure 1g~1j
  • EP2776168B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention provides a gas purification system, for instance for agricultural application comprising a corona discharge system, the corona discharge system comprising a counter electrode, a conductive strip with a longitudinal edge comprising tooth structures, wherein the tooth structures have tooth tops with shortest distances selected from the range of 2-200 mm;and a voltage generator configured to apply a DC voltage of at least 10 kV to the conductive strip.