US4148718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single drop separator
Assignee: Coulter Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1977-10-19
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1997-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for forming a separate single drop wherein a fluid stream is formed in air and an electrical charge or radiant energy is applied to the stream at a particular location in order to disturb the stream and create a single drop. The drop may be formed surrounding a particle and the drop may be charged when formed, then deflected for separate collection.
Inventors
- 👤 Mack J. Fulwyler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1456; G01N15/1459; B; B03; B03C; B03C5/00; B03C5/02; B03C9/00; G01N15/1031; G01N15/12; G01N15/149; G01N2015/1019; G01N15/1404; G01N2015/1406; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for selectively separating small particles suspended in a fluid including the steps of: forming a moving fluid stream in air having a substantially constant velocity with said particles asynchronously spaced in said stream, sensing a particle in said moving fluid stream, and applying one of an electrical pulse and a quantum of radiant energy to said stream in air at a particular location when said sensed particle passes through said particular location for asynchonously disturbing said stream and creating a single isolated droplet from said stream surrounding said particle separated from the preceding and succeeding fluid stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for selectively separating small particles suspended in a fluid including the steps of: forming a moving fluid stream in air having a substantially constant velocity with said particles asynchronously spaced in said stream, sensing a particle in said moving fluid stream, and applying one of an electrical pulse and a quantum of radiant energy to said stream in air at a particular location when said sensed particle passes through said particular location for asynchonously disturbing said stream and creating a single isolated droplet from said stream surrounding said particle separated from the preceding and succeeding fluid stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrical pulse is applied by an electrode communicating with said fluid stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy is applied by directing a high intensity light beam into said fluid stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy is applied by a heat probe communicating with said fluid stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of said electrical pulse and radiant energy is applied for a predetermined duration and has a predetermined amplitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said electrical pulse is a voltage in a range of 50 to 250 volts in amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said electrical pulse is a voltage applied for a predetermined duration in the range of 5 to 50 microseconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said electrical pulse is a voltage which rises abruptly from a first level to a second level, decreases slowly to a third level between said first and second level, and decreases from said third level to said first level abruptly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said electrical pulse is a voltage pulse having a predetermined duration, said pulse having a higher initial voltage than terminal voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said droplet is created by separating from said fluid stream at a second location and further including the step of applying a second electrical pulse at said second location as the droplet separates from said fluid stream for charging said droplet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 further including the step of deflecting said separated and charged droplet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3826364A
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US3826364B1
Cited
US3878519A
Cited
US3979756A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |