Patent ID: 7452410

Claim:
An electrostatic filter suitable for collecting aerosol particulates carried in a fluid stream passing through the electrostatic filter, the electrostatic filter comprising: a first porous electrode wherein the first electrode has a core formed from a conductive material, an insulation layer that electrically insulates the core, and a charge distribution conductor that is isolated from the core by the insulation layer; a second porous electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous dielectric positioned between the first and second electrodes and arranged such that in operation the fluid steam passes through the electrodes and the dielectric; and a charge source in communication with the conductor whereby in operation a first potential having a first polarity may be applied to the first porous electrode and the charge source at least periodically applies charges having the same polarity as the first electrode to the conductor in order to help neutralize opposing charges that seek to accumulate on the insulation layer of the first electrode.