Liquid bridge and system
US9322511B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A bridge comprises a first inlet port, a second inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber. The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber. The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port, and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge. In another embodiment, a droplet segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.