Apparatus comprising a particle sorter/dispenser and method therefor

An apparatus comprising:

• a venturi, said venturi having a convergent region, a throat, and a divergent region;
• a sensor that detects particles in a sensing zone in said venturi, wherein said particles flow in a first liquid that enters said venturi via said convergent region;
• a dispensing orifice that dispenses some of said particles that are detected in said venturi by said sensor, wherein said dispensing orifice is disposed downstream of said sensing zone;
• and
• an dispensing valve that is located downstream of said sensing zone and proximal to said dispensing orifice, wherein said dispensing valve controls the flow of a second liquid into said venturi, and wherein the flow of said second liquid causes at least one of said particles that are detected in said sensing zone to be dispensed through said dispensing orifice.

An apparatus comprising:

• a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said conduit receives a flow of particles that are suspended in a first liquid;
• a sensor that senses said particles in a sensing zone of said conduit;
• a dispensing orifice that dispenses said particles from said conduit, wherein said dispensing valve is located downstream of said sensing zone and upstream of said second end;
• and
• an dispensing valve that is disposed downstream of said sensing zone, proximal to said dispensing valve and upstream of said second end wherein:
• said dispensing valve controls the flow of a second liquid into said conduit;
• said second liquid is at a higher pressure than said first liquid in said conduit such that the flow of said second liquid is sufficient to control the flow of said first liquid and said particles in said conduit.

A method comprising:

• flowing particles along a first path in a first liquid;
• detecting at least one of said particles;
• flowing, during a first period of time that begins after said one particle is detected, a second liquid into said first liquid at a pressure that is sufficient to stop said particles, other than said one particle, from flowing;
• and
• dispensing said one particle by causing it to deviate from said first path.

A method comprising:

• flowing particles in a first liquid in a conduit;
• detecting at least one of said particles in said conduit;
• creating a region of high pressure in said conduit after said one particle is detected, wherein the one detected particle is in said region of high pressure;
• and
• dispensing said one particle from said region of high pressure.

A method comprising:

• detecting a particle;
• flowing said particle along a horizontal path into a flow-controlled region;
• and
• establishing a first flow pattern that prevents additional particles from entering said flow controlled region.