Particle separation and concentration system
US9433880B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N15/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention is based on size and mass separation of suspended particles, including biological matter, which are made to flow in a spiral channel. On the spiral sections, the inward directed transverse pressure field from fluid shear competes with the outward directed centrifugal force to allow for separation of particles. At high velocity, centrifugal force dominates and particles move outward. At low velocities, transverse pressure dominates and the particles move inward. The magnitudes of the two opposing forces depend on flow velocity, particle size, radius of curvature of the spiral section, channel dimensions, and viscosity of the fluid. At the end of the spiral channel, a parallel array of outlets collects separated particles. For any particle size, the required channel dimension is determined by estimating the transit time to reach the side-wall. This time is a function of flow velocity, channel width, viscosity, and radius of curvature. Larger particles may reach the channel wall earlier than the smaller particles which need more time to reach the side wall. Thus a spiral channel may be envisioned by placing multiple outlets along the channel. This technique is inherentl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.