Fluid Suspension Patents (Class 209/232)
  • Patent number: 7473356
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system using a superconducting magnetic separator that can wash the magnetic filter efficiently. The system comprises in a bore of a superconducting magnet a removably built-up multiunit magnetic filter consisting of a plurality of single-unit magnetic filters. The multiunit magnetic filter has a total longitudinal length at least equal or greater than that of the superconducting magnet. During excitation of the superconducting magnet, a single-unit magnetic filter is removed from the upstream side (sewage side) of the multiunit magnetic filter by pushing in another single-unit magnetic filter from the downstream side (clean water side), and washed and returned to the downstream side again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignees: Niki Glass Co., Ltd, Tatsumi Air Engineering, Ltd, Futaba Shoj, Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takefumi Niki, Yasuhiro Noda, Tatsuo Fukunishi
  • Patent number: 7464140
    Abstract: A method for dynamically determining web resource to be loaded and saving space is provided which determines whether to download a network resource according to a current network bandwidth and available memory space. When a user uses an embedded device in a wireless network environment to download a web-page, the browser only downloads a small part of the network resource to present, and if the user desires to download all network resources, he or she can select to download all network resources, so as to save the download time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Institute For Information Industry
    Inventors: Yau-Wen Nian, Hsiao-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 7438190
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Richard J. Wise
  • Patent number: 7429331
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for inducing magnetism in a flowstream of an at least partially magnetizable particulate feed material suspended in a liquid, the apparatus including: a treatment chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which the flowstream respectively enters and exits the chamber; and a magnetic source able to be selectively activated with respect to the treatment chamber, such that, when activated, the magnetic source induces magnetism in at least some of the particulate feed material located in the chamber. This allows the introduction of a high gradient magnetic field to effectively magnetize both the weakly and strongly magnetic particulates for subsequent removal by setting or other techniques. When the magnetic source is deactivated, the flow stream of feed material dissipates the deposits of magnetized material from around the source to reduce the possibility of any flow restrictions and maintain the effectiveness of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ausmetec Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Lumsden, Maureen Helen Miner, legal representative, Robert Miner
  • Patent number: 7384559
    Abstract: A device for treating magnetizable or magnetically attractable particles which are present in a liquid, comprising a holder for one ore more reaction vessel(s) with the liquid containing the particles, at least two movably arranged permanent magnets, a drive unit for moving the permanent magnets; with the permanent magnets being arranged in pairs and opposite each other, and being movable in vertical direction (a, b), and the distance between the two permanent magnets of a pair being dimensioned or adjustable such that a reaction vessel can be positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Chemagen Biopolymer-Technologie AG
    Inventor: Lothar à Brassard
  • Patent number: 7357260
    Abstract: A solid material separator for separating solid particles from a mixture containing liquid and these particles which enables the process of separating the solid particles from the liquid to be improved. The solid separator comprising a collecting vessel which is movable from a filling position, wherein the mixture containing the particles and the liquid is fed into the collecting vessel, to a liquid run-off position, wherein the liquid can at least partially drain out of the collecting vessel, and a device for producing a magnetic field by means of which the particles are at least partially retained in the collecting vessel in the liquid run-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Durr Ecoclean GmbH
    Inventor: Egon Kaeske
  • Patent number: 7331467
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard J. Wise
  • Patent number: 7320029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method a method for applying a certain Quality of Service (QoS) to a data stream (31a–31c, 32a–32b, 33a) of an application (31–33) communicating data over a sockets connection. The method comprises providing a uniquely identifiable identifier (UID, Stream Type) the application (31–33) or to the data stream (31a–31c, 32a–32b, 33a) from or to the application, and associating said identifier (UID, Stream Type) with a particular QoS in order to apply the particular QoS to the particular application (31–33) or to the particular data stream (31a–31c, 32a–32b, 33a), which application or data stream is identified by the identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Janne Petri Rinne, Mika Liljeberg, Jarkko Juhani Jouppi
  • Patent number: 7311846
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating ferrous metal particles from non-ferrous metal particles suspended in a liquid, such as a coolant from a machining operation, in which mixed particle containing liquid is discharged across a horizontal, non-magnetic separating surface; the magnetic ferrous metal particles are captured by a magnetic force exerted by an array of parallel magnets disposed underneath the separating surface, the non-magnetic non-ferrous metal particles are washed by the liquid into a collecting flume from where they can be passed to a filtering station for removal from the liquid, and the captured ferrous metal particles are scraped from the separating surface and conveyed to a ferrous metal discharge by a scraper conveyor which moves transversely to the discharge direction of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Comer, Mark Schroder
  • Patent number: 7226537
    Abstract: Method for the wet dynamic separation of a suspension in liquid phase, comprising microparticles comprising a magnetic material and a liquid medium in which said microparticles are in suspension, in which method: a) the suspension is confined in a chamber having a volume defined by at least two dimensions, for example length and depth; b) at least one plurality of elementary magnetic fields is set up, these magnetic fields being distributed in a “Halbach semi-configuration”, whose respective ends facing the chamber generate a vector sum of said elementary magnetic fields, corresponding to a magnetic capture field passing through said chamber and exerting a magnetic attraction on the microparticles, and whose opposite respective ends generate no magnetic field; and c) said capture magnetic field is generated, whereby a solid phase enriched with microparticles is captured in said chamber, and a liquid phase depleted in microparticles is extracted from said chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Bio Merieux, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Patrick Broyer, Christian Jeandey
  • Patent number: 7168568
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Magnetic Torque International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard J. Wise
  • Patent number: 7073668
    Abstract: A magnetic separator includes a chamber 11 having inlets and outlets 12, 13 which together define a flow path 14. Axially extending tubes 15 are disposed in an array around the cross-section of the chamber 11 and the perforated baffle plate 18 divides the chamber 11 into top and bottom components 16, 17. Each tube contains a magnetic shuffle 19, which can be moved up and down the tube between separator and release positions using a pneumatic control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Cross Manufacturing Company (1938) Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Mark Alford, William Frederick Smith-Haddon
  • Patent number: 7022224
    Abstract: The invention relates to the concentration of useful minerals and may be used in the concentration of iron ores. The magnetic hydroseparator includes a body with an upper drain, a supply device, a driving scraping device, set up with the possibility of interacting with the inner surface of an annular magnetic system and made with a changing number of revolutions, the annular magnetic system being set up within the upper part of the body, an unloading device with a washing device made with the possibility of regulating the supply of the washing liquid, gas or mixture of these, the lower part of the body being made in the shape of a cone. The claimed invention permits increasing the efficiency of concentration. One dependent claim, two illustrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Aleksei Alekseevich Stafeev
  • Patent number: 6968956
    Abstract: A separation apparatus and method for use in separating magnetic material from non-magnetic material that includes the use of a magnetic grid, e.g., a permanently magnetic grid, which defines a plurality of openings. The grid assists in preventing magnetic material from being transported to an overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Iwao Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6902065
    Abstract: Under a magnetic field gradient, solid particles floating and/or sinking in a supporting liquid (most suitably a paramagnetic one) are levitated or anti-levitated at different locations depending on their densities and diamagnetic susceptibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Kimura, Shogo Mamada, Masafumi Yamato, Koichi Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 6851557
    Abstract: The invention concerns in one aspect, a ferrohydrostatic separation method in which a ferrofluid is used to separate materials of different density. In the method, the apparent density of the ferrofluid is controlled by means of a vertically orientated magnetic field generated by a C-dipole, open dipole (O-dipole) or split pair electromagnet or permanent magnet. Other aspects of the invention include an apparatus for use in this method and a process for separating materials of different density using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Jan Svoboda
  • Patent number: 6833069
    Abstract: A magnetic filter removes magnetic particles from fluid communicated through the filter. The filter includes elongated, circumferentially spaced magnetic elements which capture magnetic particles entrained in the turbulent passing fluid. The magnetic elements must be cleaned periodically to remove the particles from the elements by moving a scraper plate from one end of the housing to the other. At the end of travel of the scraper plate, the particles are scraped upon non-magnetic end portions (which may contain residual magnetism) of the magnetic elements, from which they are flushed by fluid communicated through the inlet port out through other ports provided on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gunther E. Asterlin
  • Patent number: 6822180
    Abstract: A microchip comprises a flow pass in which a solution containing particles can flow, and a deflection mechanism for deflecting a portion of the particles as the particles flow through the flow pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Yusuhiro Sando
  • Patent number: 6805794
    Abstract: A magnetic separation device, with streamlined construction and heightened rate of magnetic adhesion, has two rotating plates 7, 8 which are fixed to a rotation axis and rotate while immersed in a liquid, and magnets 13 mounted on the rotating plates 7, 8. The magnetic separation device is constructed such that magnetic material in the liquid magnetically adheres to the rotating plates 7, 8 and is separated. Further, the magnetic separation device includes a yoke 14, surrounding and accommodating magnets, and having an aperture facing one of the magnetic poles; the yoke 14 has an aperture side face 14c which is in contact with the rotating plates 7, 8; and the aforementioned magnetic pole is in contact with the rotating plates 7, 8. Pairs of magnets 13 are arranged such that opposite magnetic poles oppose each other across the two rotating plates 7, 8, and a magnetic space is formed between the two magnetic plates 7, 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Project Organ
    Inventor: Yukio Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6743365
    Abstract: A magnetic filtration system includes one or a plurality of collection units (1) comprising a magnet (4) disposed between a pair of plates (2, 3), one plate being magnetized North, the other, South. The plates are provided with facing apertures and facing pole pieces so that particles entering the recesses are both repelled from the apertures and attracted towards and retained in collecting regions between exposed facing plate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: John Marlowe
  • Publication number: 20040069687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sorting shredder residues of metal-containing wastes, in particular of vehicle bodies, where the shredder residues are separated into a light shredder fraction (SLF) and a non-ferromagnetic fraction (heavy shredder fraction (SSF); as well as to a system for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Goldmann, Bram den Dunnen, Michael Knust
  • Publication number: 20040035760
    Abstract: This invention relates to magnetic separators and in a particular embodiment the separator includes a chamber 11 having inlets and outlets 12, 13 which together define a flow path 14. Axially extending tubes 15 are disposed in an array around the cross-section of the chamber 11 and the perforated baffle plate 18 divides the chamber 11 into top and bottom compartments 16, 17. Each tube contains a magnetic shuttle 19, which can be moved up and down the tube between separator and release positions using a pneumatic control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas Mark Alford, William Frederick Smith-Haddon
  • Patent number: 6688473
    Abstract: In a high gradient magnetic separator with a separation zone consisting of a matrix of parallel magnetic wires arranged in parallel planes and channels formed by a non-magnetic material and extending in each plane between adjacent parallel magnetic wires for conducting a fluid including magnetic particles through the matrix, and a magnetizing structure disposed adjacent the matrix for generating a magnetic field with field lines which extend essentially normal to the parallel planes, separating walls are disposed in parts of the channels in the area ahead of the end of the magnetic field generated in the matrix and adjacent the flow exit end of the matrix so as to extend parallel to the planes and normal to the magnetic field lines and form partial flow channels receiving partial fluid flows of magnetic particle-enriched and, respectively, magnetic particle-depleted flow volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Franzreb, Wolfgang Höll, Christian Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6638425
    Abstract: A magnetic filter removes magnetic particles from fluid communicated through the filter. The filter includes elongated, circumferentially spaced magnetic elements which capture magnetic particles entrained in the fluid. The magnetic elements must be cleaned periodically to remove the particles from the elements by moving a scraper plate from one end of the housing to the other. At the end of travel of the scraper plate, the particles are scraped upon non-magnetic end portions (which may contain residual magnetism) of the magnetic elements, from which they are flushed by fluid communicated through the inlet port out through other ports provided on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Filter Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunther E. Asterlin
  • Patent number: 6623983
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed which facilitate immobilization of magnetically labelled particulate entities, e.g., cells, preferably in a defined pattern, on a collection surface via binding between specific binding pair members, as an aid to particle analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Immunivest Corporation
    Inventors: Leon W. M. M. Terstappen, Galla C. Rao
  • Publication number: 20030159976
    Abstract: A separation apparatus and method for use in separating magnetic material from non-magnetic material that includes the use of a magnetic grid, e.g., a permanently magnetic grid, which defines a plurality of openings. The grid assists in preventing magnetic material from being transported to an overflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Iwao Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20020166800
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods of manipulating biological or chemical species. The species may be attached to a magnetic particle which is manipulated using micro-magnetic fields. In some cases, the magnetic fields are generated by current carrying wires that are patterned on a substrate. The magnetic fields define channels on the surface of the substrate in which the magnetic particles and attached species may be transported, positioned and stored. Thus, the systems and methods can manipulate biological or chemical species on a microscale (e.g., less than 5 cm). Applications of the systems and methods are in, but are not limited to, the fields of biotechnology, microanalysis, and microsynthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Mara G. Prentiss, Gary Zabow, Tao Deng, Mala Lakshmi Radhakrishnan, George M. Whitesides
  • Publication number: 20020157992
    Abstract: A magnetic ore purification system for enriching magnetic ore concentration in a feed material. The system includes an elutriator and at least one alternating current magnet. The system may also optionally have a device, which may be an ultrasonic transducer, for introducing vibrational energy into the elutriator, and a feedback control system. The elutriator has a feed port for introducing the feed material and an enriched port for collecting an enriched material having a magnetic ore concentration that is greater than the feed material. As the feed material passes between the feed port and the enriched port, the feed material is subjected to a low strength magnetic field generated by the alternating current magnet. The feed material may also be subjected to vibrational energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: John R. McGaa
  • Publication number: 20020153295
    Abstract: Under a magnetic field gradient, solid plastic particles floating and/or sinking in a suspending liquid (most suitably a paramagnetic one) are levitated or anti-levitated at different locations depending on their densities and diamagnetic susceptibilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Kimura, Shogo Mamada, Masafumi Yamato, Koichi Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20020134708
    Abstract: A plasma mass filter for separating low-mass particles from high-mass particles in a multi-species plasma includes a substantially cylindrically shaped barrier surrounding a chamber and defining a longitudinal axis. Helically shaped coils are mounted on the barrier to establish a magnetic field in the chamber. Conducting rings are provided to establish a radially directed electric field in the chamber. The plasma is injected into the chamber for interaction with the electric and magnetic fields, placing the high-mass particles onto trajectories rotating about a guiding center that travels within a surface having a hyperbolic shape. The low-mass particles are placed onto trajectories rotating about a guiding center that travels within a surface having an elliptical shape. The fields create an axial force directing the particles away from the injection point. As such, the high-mass particles strike the inner wall of the barrier, while the low-mass particles transit through the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Tihiro Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20020108889
    Abstract: A microchip comprises a flow pass in which a solution containing particles can flow, and a deflection mechanism for deflecting a portion of the particles as the particles flow through the flow pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Yasuhiro Sando
  • Publication number: 20020088741
    Abstract: In a high gradient magnetic separator with a separation zone consisting of a matrix of parallel magnetic wires arranged in parallel planes and channels formed by a non-magnetic material and extending in each plane between adjacent parallel magnetic wires for conducting a fluid including magnetic particles through the matrix, and a magnetizing structure disposed adjacent the matrix for generating a magnetic field with field lines which extend essentially normal to the parallel planes, separating walls are disposed in parts of the channels in the area ahead of the end of the magnetic field generated in the matrix and adjacent the flow exit end of the matrix so as to extend parallel to the planes and normal to the magnetic field lines and form partial flow channels receiving partial fluid flows of magnetic particle-enriched and, respectively, magnetic particle-depleted flow volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Matthias Franzreb, Wolfgang Holl, Christian Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6409925
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for collection of magnetic particles. The invention further concerns a system for transfer of material from a plurality of source vessels to a plurality of target vessels, the device comprising a plurality of collecting members each of which can be manipulated independently. The invention further concerns a method for detection of biological entities being fluorescent label, wherein the entities are bound to magnetic particles. The fluorescent emission is concentrated by clustering the magnetic particles utilizing magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Bio-Magnetics Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Gombinsky, Anna Khatskina
  • Publication number: 20020074266
    Abstract: In a high gradient magnetic separator with a separation zone consisting of a matrix of parallel magnetic wires arranged in parallel planes and channels formed by a non-magnetic material and extending in each plane between adjacent parallel magnetic wires for conducting a fluid including magnetic particles through the matrix, and a magnetizing structure disposed adjacent the matrix for generating a magnetic field with field lines which extend essentially normal to the parallel planes, separating walls are disposed in parts of the channels in the area ahead of the end of the magnetic field generated in the matrix and adjacent the flow exit end of the matrix so as to extend parallel to the planes and normal to the magnetic field lines and form partial flow channels receiving partial fluid flows of magnetic particle-enriched and, respectively, magnetic particle-depleted flow volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Matthias Franzreb, Wolfgang Holl, Christian Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20020056666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of pipes, pipe systems and related equipment, and the fluid and gas carried in the pipes to prevent scaling and build-up of deposits in the pipe. A first exemplary embodiment of the system comprises a pipe for carrying a fluid and at least one magnet assembly abutting portions of the exterior of the pipe to be treated. The magnet assembly preferably includes a plurality of magnet structures, the magnet structures being disposed at different radial positions around the exterior of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Justin Sharaf
  • Patent number: 6383397
    Abstract: A method for separating magnetic particles dispersed in a fluid by magnetic attraction, characterized in that an object fluid in which magnetic particles are dispersed is passed through a magnetized rotary tube, magnetic particles are made to adhere by magnetic attraction to magnetized surface in the tube, the flow of the fluid is suspended before the capacity of magnetic attraction of the tube lowers, the magnetized surface is demagnetized, an exhaust fluid for exhausting magnetic particles in the tube is made to flow under pressure through the tube, the exhaust fluid mixed with magnetic particles is discharged, and the magnetic particles are separated from the exhaust fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Haruo Kojima
  • Publication number: 20020020657
    Abstract: A multi-mass filter for separating particles of a multi-species plasma includes a chamber, which defines an axis. A radial electric field is crossed with a magnetic field (E×B) to move the particles of different mass (M1, M2 and M3) on respective trajectories into respective first, second and third regions. Specifically, particles M1 are confined in the first region, while both particles M3 and M2 are ejected from the first region into the second region and only the particles M3 are ejected from the second region into the third region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Tihiro Ohkawa, Richard L. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20020014443
    Abstract: A system and method for manipulating magnetically responsive particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and magnetically responsive particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the magnetically responsive particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy Roy Hansen, Bradley Scott Thomas, John Joseph Bianco, Matthew P. Collis
  • Publication number: 20020008053
    Abstract: A system and method for manipulating magnetic particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and paramagnetic particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the paramagnetic particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6330946
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating particles such as minerals from a mixture including said particles. The apparatus includes means for generating a rotating magnetic field such as a rotating magnetic drum (71). The apparatus also includes means for exposing the mixture to the rotating magnetic field such that susceptible particles are caused to rotate, and means for exploiting the rotation imparted to the susceptible particles to separate the particles from the mixture. The means for exposing may include a conveyor belt (72) or the like for passing the mixture along a first path (70) relative to the rotating magnetic field. The means for exploiting may include a surface (74) for facilitating movement of the particles along a second path (A) other than the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: KA PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Neil Robert Allen
  • Patent number: 6310309
    Abstract: Particles are separated according to their dielectrophoretic characteristics and electrorotation characteristics by the use of a travelling wave separation in which they flow from a departure point at an inlet (18) towards at least two destinations at outlets (16, 20) and are deflected toward one or other outlet according to their characteristics by a travelling wave field set up on an array of electrodes, each electrode running generally in the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Scientific Generics Limited
    Inventors: Colin D. Ager, Andrew N. Dames, Duncan R. Purvis, Nicholas A. Safford
  • Patent number: 6224777
    Abstract: A matrix separation element for use in magnetic separation devices is produced by winding stainless steel filament around a porous mandrel at a controlled tension. Controlling the tension on the filament produces a matrix separation element having a uniform, predetermined density. Further compression of the filament is not necessary. The tension may be controlled by varying the rotational velocity of the mandrel and/or the filament supply spool during winding. The matrix separation element preferably is used in a radial flow canister magnetic separation apparatus, but also may be used in axial flow and in multi-axial flow magnetic separation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Aquafine Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Iannicelli
  • Patent number: 6193071
    Abstract: A force field separator which utilizes magnetic fields to separate materials which are sensitive to those forces. As a magnetic separator it separates paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials with lower strength fields. It employs small sectional area rods which generate high field gradients between adjacent rods which are oriented at an angle to the flow direction inside an elongate housing which contains the fluid stream. The separation forces are a resultant of the force propelling the fluid through the housing and the field forces produced by the field gradients. The resultant force direction is towards multiple openings along the outside length of the housing where a separate plenum flow of separated materials is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Ceil Stelzer
  • Patent number: 6190563
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for removing multi-particulate matter from a medium is disclosed. The device includes a containment vessel for accumulating particles, and the containment vessel includes an increased diameter, generally spherical portion for accumulating the particles therein. The containment vessel may also include an electromagnetic matrix which is capable of being energized and de-energized. A blow valve is located at a lower portion of the containment vessel, and the blow valve is capable of being opened and closed, and can preferably be operated simultaneously with the energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnetic matrix. Opening of the blow valve preferably provides that the particles can evacuate from the containment vessel, and specifically from the increased diameter, generally spherical portion thereof, through the blow valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Petar Bambic
  • Patent number: 6180005
    Abstract: A matrix separation element for use in magnetic separation devices is produced by winding stainless steel filament around a porous mandrel at a controlled tension. Controlling the tension on the filament produces a matrix separation element having a uniform, predetermined density. Further compression of the filament is not necessary. The tension may be controlled by varying the rotational velocity of the mandrel and/or the filament supply spool during winding. The matrix separation element preferably is used in a radial flow canister magnetic separation apparatus, but also may be used in axial flow and in multi-axial flow magnetic separation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Aquafine Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Iannicelli
  • Patent number: 6159378
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for handling magnetic particles suspended in a fluid, relying upon the known features of a magnetic flux conductor that is permeable thereby permitting the magnetic particles and fluid to flow therethrough; and a controllable magnetic field for the handling. The present invention is an improvement wherein the magnetic flux conductor is a monolithic porous foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: David A. Holman, Jay W. Grate, Cynthia J. Bruckner-Lea
  • Patent number: 6139736
    Abstract: A U-shaped side of a yoke is mounted on the confronting sides of two rotating plates attached to the inside of a magnetically agglomerating and treating tank, and a plurality of magnets, each having a magnetic force of not less than 12,000 gausses, are mounted on the confronting sides of the yoke, respectively, and the gap between the faces of the confronting magnets is set at 300 mm to form a magnetic field. Liquid containing impurities, such as magnetic and non-magnetic suspensions is caused to flow into this magnetic field for contact with the magnets for a predetermined period of time, so that the non-magnetic suspension is magnetically agglomerated together with the magnetic suspension, so as to be attracted to the magnets, and the magnetically agglomerated matter adhering to the surfaces of the magnets is separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Mitsuru Inaba
  • Patent number: 6103113
    Abstract: A purification apparatus includes a first flow path for introducing and discharging water and magnetic field generation means provided on a way of in the flow path for giving a magnetic field in the flow path. The introduced water includes magnetic substances. In the flow path in which the magnetic field generation means is disposed and in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation means, a second flow path is provided in such a manner that the second flow path is guided toward the outside from a region in which a magnetic gradient is decreased. Further, there are provided means for moving the magnetic substances in the vicinity of the second flow path, magnetic substance sensing means provided in the flow path, and control means for controlling in response to a signal from the sensing means an amount of the magnetic substances which flow through the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihide Saho, Hisashi Isogami, Minoru Morita
  • Patent number: 6098810
    Abstract: A separation process is provided for treating a feed material comprising silica, feldspar, and metal impurities, including at least one of mica, iron impurities, or refractory heavy minerals, to form one or more products for use in making glass. In the process, the feed material is floated in the presence of a depressant to inhibit the flotation of feldspar and thereby form a concentrate containing at least most of the silica and a tailings fraction containing at least most of the feldspar. The concentrate and tailings fractions can be converted into the products by magnetically removing the metal impurities therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Pueblo Process, LLC
    Inventor: Blair Burwell
  • Patent number: 6006920
    Abstract: Provided is a method of making improved brightness kaolin clay from an aqueous kaolin clay slurry in which the primary active dispersant is a weak dispersant, at least including the steps of adding to the kaolin clay an effective magnet enhancer reagent wherein the magnet enhancer reagent comprises an aqueous solution of one or more magnetic oxides and one or more surface active agents; conditioning the kaolin clay; and performing high gradient magnetic separation on the conditioned kaolin clay to produce an improved brightness kaolin clay. The method is also applied to decreasing iron- and/or titania-containing impurities in a clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Dry Branch Kaolin Company
    Inventors: Bomi M. Bilimoria, Mark S. Willis