John O Allred

US Patent:

40973735, Jun 27, 1978

Filed:

Mar 23, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/780281

Inventors:

John Caldwell Allred - Houston TX

International Classification:

B07C 5342

US Classification:

2091115

Abstract:

The present invention sorts small particles by subjecting them to a charging and motivating field produced by a single electrode. The magnitude of the charge placed on the particle passing the electrode is a controlled function of observed particle parameters. The amount of charge placed on the small particle in this manner determines the amount of deflection imparted to the particle's trajectory. Once the particle has been deflected in accordance with its observed parameter, the particle may be collected for further study. It will be appreciated that this version of the present invention deflects the small particle by applying a force to it at some angle to its direction of movement. The particle's movement will generally be impelled by the accelerative force of the fluid stream along a line between the end of a droplet producing nozzle and a collection station. The application of a variable force, dependent on particle parameters, at some angle, usually normal, to this line results in movement of the particle in a plane defined by the line from the droplet generator to the collector and a point not on the line determined by the charging and motivating electrode.