Apparatus and methods for electrospinning polymeric fibers and membranes
US6713011B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD04H1/728
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for electrospinning polymer fibers and membranes. The method includes electrospinning a polymer fiber from a conducting fluid in the presence of a first electric field established between a conducting fluid introduction device and a ground source and modifying the first electric field with a second electric field to form a jet stream of the conducting fluid. The method also includes electrically controlling the flow characteristics of the jet stream, forming a plurality of electrospinning jet streams and independently controlling the flow characteristics of at least one of the jet streams. The apparatus for electrospinning includes a conducting fluid introduction device containing a plurality of electrospinning spinnerets, a ground member positioned adjacent to the spinnerets, a support member disposed between the spinnerets and the ground member and movable to receive fibers formed from the conducting fluid, and a component for controlling the flow characteristics of conducting fluid from at least one spinneret independently from another spinneret.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.