Patent ID: 8029657
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for aggregating particles immersed in a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a first set of plate electrodes comprising at least two electrically conductive first plate electrodes having a first thickness and a first width and a first length wherein the first width and the first length are each substantially greater than the first thickness and wherein the first width and the first length define a first conductive surface having a first conductive surface area and define an opposing second conductive surface having a second conductive surface area having a first conductive pattern delimited by adjacent insulative material on the at least two first plate electrodes; a second set of plate electrodes comprising at least two electrically conductive second plate electrodes having a second thickness and a second width and a second length wherein the second width and the second length are each substantially greater than the second thickness and wherein the second width and the second length define a third conductive surface having a third conductive surface area and define an opposing fourth conductive surface having a fourth conductive surface area having a second conductive pattern delimited by adjacent insulative material on the at least two second plate electrodes; wherein the plate electrodes of the first and second sets are interleaved with each other and are separated by separation distances establishing spaces between adjacent plate electrodes in which the fluid with the immersed particles is disposed, and wherein: a signal generator to provide a time-varying signal across the first conductive pattern and the second conductive pattern, wherein at any point in time a first voltage is provided to the first conductive pattern and a second voltage is provided to the second conductive pattern.