Single drop separator

• US 4,230,558 A
• Filed: 10/02/1978
• Issued: 10/28/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coulter Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Coulter Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Fulwyler, Mack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hill, Ralph J.
• Application Number:
  US05/947,853
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 209/3, 209/11, 209/3.1, 209/127 R, 209/3.2, 209/127 A, 209/127 C, 209/571, 209/579, 209/906, 209/638, 239/3, 239/15, 239/101, 346/75, 346/1
• US Class Current: 209/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 3/017 Combinations of electrostatic separation with other processes, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1459 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1019 Associating Coulter-counter and optical flow cytometer [OFC]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1406 Control of droplet point
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/932 Fluid applied to items

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pulse generation means includes charging means for applying said electrical pulse to said fluid stream.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pulse generation means include light generation means for developing a high intensity light beam, said high intensity light beam developing substantial radiant energy for application to said fluid stream.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pulse generation means include heating means for developing said radiant energy and applying same to said fluid stream.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said droplet is created by separation from said fluid stream at a third location and further including second pulse generation means coupled to said sensing means and communicating with said stream at said third location, said second pulse generation means operative in response to said detection signal to apply a second electrical pulse to said stream and particle therein as said droplet separates from said stream for charging said droplet, and deflection means for deflecting said charged droplet to a collection device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including delay means coupling said sensing means to said first and second pulse generators, said delay means operative in response to said detection signal to develop a first and second delay signal, said pulse generation means operative in response to said first delay signal to develop said electrical pulse, said second pulse generation means operative in response to said second delay signal to develop said second electrical pulse.