Particle separating apparatus and method

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871888

Van den Engh, Gerrit J ^[1]

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1. 9756 49th Ave. NE., Seattle, WA 98195

A disposable first tube (68) extends axially through, and is detachably connected to, an annular main body (10'). An input piezo electric element (38) is attached to a first end of the tubular main body (10'). A second, sensor piezo electric element (40) is attached to the opposite end of the main body (10'). A nozzle (20') having a nozzle passageway (110) and a discharge opening (112) is detachably secured to an outlet end of the first tube (68). A second tube (102) within the first tube (68) delivers a core liquid to the nozzle passageway (110). A sheath liquid is delivered through a space in the first tube (68) surrounding the second tube (102). The nozzle passageway (110) forms the core and sheath liquids into a small diameter jet stream. Electrical energy is delivered to the input piezo electric element (38), to vibrate the nozzle (20') and break the jet stream into droplets. The sensor element (40) determines the amplitude of vibration at the nozzle (20') and delivers this information to a control circuit that adjusts the electrical energy input to the input piezo electric element (38) for maintaining a desired amplitude of vibration at the nozzle (20'). The frequency of vibration is determined by the length of the main body (10') between the two piezo electric elements (38, 40). The first and second tubes (68, 102) are disposable and are replaced after a use rather than being cleaned and sterilized.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG06-93ER61662
• Assignee: Van den Engh; Gerrit J. (9756 49th Ave. NE., Seattle, WA 98195)
• Patent Number(s): US 5819948
• OSTI ID: 871888
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

particle
separating
apparatus
method
disposable
tube
68
extends
axially
detachably
connected
annular
main
10
input
piezo
electric
element
38
attached
tubular
sensor
40
opposite
nozzle
20
passageway
110
discharge
112
secured
outlet
102
delivers
core
liquid
sheath
delivered
space
surrounding
forms
liquids
diameter
jet
stream
electrical
energy
vibrate
break
droplets
determines
amplitude
vibration
information
control
circuit
adjusts
maintaining
desired
frequency
determined
length
elements
tubes
replaced
cleaned
sterilized
sensor element
input piezo
piezo electric
control circuit
electrical energy
extends axially
electric element
energy input
separating apparatus
detachably connected
desired amplitude
detachably secured
jet stream
particle separating
core liquid
tubular main
annular main
electric elements
/209/73/324/356/