Particle transport and near field analytical detection

• US 20070221063A1
• Filed: 05/15/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Biegelsen, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,374,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 96/108
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 5/02 Separators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2202 involving separation of sample components during sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0656 using electric, e.g. electrostatic methods or magnetic methods by investigating individual particles G01N15/1031, G01N15/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1456 without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0042 Investigating dispersion of solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0288 Sorting the particles

Abstract

Particle collection, transport, and detection systems are disclosed. The systems are uniquely adapted for collecting or concentrating particles from a flowing medium and then transporting the collected particles to a desired location or for subsequent analysis. Electrostatic traveling wave grids can be used in conjunction with sample concentrators.

Claims

1. A system for collecting particles and transporting the collected:

particles, the system comprising;

a source of sample dispersed in a gas or liquid medium;

a flow-through filter in communication with the source and adapted to collect the sample;

a traveling wave grid extending from a first location at which the flow-through filter is located, to a second location;

wherein upon operation of the flow-through filter and the traveling wave grid, sample is collected from the medium and transported to the second location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the flow-through filter comprises a filter including segments of a porous material and segments of a non-porous material.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the traveling wave grid is disposed on a porous material segment.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the traveling wave grid is disposed on a non-porous material segment.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the flow-through filter includes a filter body extending at least partially across a flow of the gas or liquid medium.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the flow-through filter defines a particle receiving port adapted to receive the sample after having been collected or concentrated.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the sample includes particulates dispersed in a gas or liquid medium.

8. A system for collecting particles and transporting the collected particles from a flowing stream of particles and medium, the system comprising:

a member adapted to receive and house a flow stream of a medium and particles dispersed therein;

a filter body disposed at least partially within the flow stream, the filter body defining a face directed to the approaching flow stream, the filter body adapted to collect particles from the flow stream;

a traveling wave grid disposed proximate to the face of the filter body;

wherein upon operation of the traveling wave grid, particles collected by the filter body are transported from a first region of the grid to a second region of the grid.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the medium is selected from a gas, a liquid, and combinations thereof.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the filter body extends entirely across a region of flow defined by the member.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the filter body includes segments of a porous material and segments of a non-porous material.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the traveling wave grid is disposed on a porous material segment.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the traveling wave grid is disposed on a non-porous material segment.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the filter body extends partially across a region of flow defined by the member.