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US 4,230,558 AGranted
Single drop separator
AssigneeCoulter Electronics, Inc.
InventorMack J. Fulwyler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims6
An apparatus for detecting and selectively separating small particles in a fluid including in combination:
- forming means for forming a moving fluid stream in air having a substantially constant velocity containing said particles asynchronously spaced in said stream,
- sensing means adjacent said fluid stream and operative to detect a particle in said stream passing a first location and to develop a detection signal,
- pulse generation means coupled to said sensing means and communicating with said fluid stream at a second location, said pulse generation means operative in response to said detection signal to apply one of an electrical pulse and a quantum of radiant energy to said stream and particle therein at said second location for asynchronously disturbing said stream and creating a single isolated droplet from said stream surrounding said particle separated from the preceding and succeeding fluid stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.