Systems and methods for transporting particles
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsArmin R. Völkel, David Biegelsen, Philip D. Floyd, Greg Anderson, Fred Endicott, Eric Peeters, Jaan Noolandi, Karen A. Moffat, Peter M. Kazmaier, Maria McDougall, Daniel G. Bobrow
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Abstract
Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
Claims20
A multi-channel traveling wave grid, the assembly comprising:
- a member defining at least a first channel and a second channel, each of the first and second channels defining an entrance and an exit, the exits of each of the first and second channels providing access to a common region also defined in the member;
- an electronic controller capable of providing voltage waveforms;
- a first traveling wave grid extending within the first channel and in communication with the electronic controller;
- a second traveling wave grid extending within the second channel and in communication with the electronic controller;
- wherein upon operation of the electronic controller, at least one waveform is applied to the first and second traveling wave grids to thereby produce traveling waves along the first and second channels defined in the member.
A multi-channel traveling wave grid assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a first planar channel including a first traveling wave grid;
- a second planar channel spaced from the first planar channel layer, the second planar channel layer including a second traveling wave grid;
- wherein at least one of the first planar channel and the second planar channel defines a via extending through the planar channel and the planar channel defining the via further including an electrode adapted to provide electrical communication across the planar channel.
A multi-channel traveling wave grid, the assembly comprising:
- a first channel;
- a second channel;
- a common region;
- an entrance and an exit defined in each of the first and second channels, the exits of each of the first and second channels providing access to the common region;
- an electronic controller capable of providing voltage waveforms;
- a first traveling wave grid extending within the first channel and in communication with the electronic controller;
- a second traveling wave grid extending within the second channel and in communication with the electronic controller;
- wherein upon operation of the electronic controller, multiple waveforms are applied to the first and second traveling wave grids to thereby produce traveling waves along the first and second channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.