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System and device for determining particle characteristics

  • US 6,412,359 B1
  • Filed: 06/30/2000
  • Issued: 07/02/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A device for determining one or more particle physical characteristics, the device comprising:

  • (a) a force field device for subjecting at least one particle to at least one force field, the force field device comprising;

    (1) a first force field producing assembly comprising;

    (i) a first force field producing device; and

    (ii) a first pole piece for concentrating the force field flux produced by the first force field producing device;

    (2) a second force field producing assembly comprising;

    (i) a second force field producing device; and

    (ii) a second pole piece for concentrating the force field flux produced by the second force field producing device;

    (3) the first and second pole pieces each comprising a flux concentrating portion having a curved end portion for producing a region of space having a substantially constant force field and wherein the flux concentrating portions are displaced substantially opposite each other with an inter-polar air gap therebetween and wherein the curved end portions comprise;

    (i) a first distal end having a substantially curved surface;

    (ii) a second distal end having a substantially curved surface;

    (iii) wherein the first and second distal ends are configured so as to be contiguous with each other; and

    (iv) wherein the substantially curved surface of the first distal end comprises a portion having a substantially constant radius and wherein the radius is in the range of approximately 3 mm; and

    (v) wherein the substantially curved surface of the second distal end comprises a portion which is substantially hyperbolic and wherein the hyperbolic portion is approximately defined as y(x)=9.544/x2−

    12.719, wherein x and y are Cartesian coordinates with the origin placed at the intersection of the plane of symmetry separating the pole pieces and a plane tangent to the radial portion of the distal ends of the pole pieces;

    (b) a substantially transparent flow channel positioned at least partially within the region of space having a substantially constant force magnitude and direction and for allowing the introduction of at least one particle; and

    (c) a computer system for gathering and analyzing data associated with the at least one particle.

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