US5101978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidic sorting device for two or more materials suspended in a fluid
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1989-11-27
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2009-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A fluidic sorting device for the separation of two or more visually different materials or materials which react differently to an externally applied force. These materials are suspended in a fluid. The device comprises a fluidic logic element to which a machine vision apparatus is connected. The machine vision apparatus may be programmed to identify specific particulate materials. The machine vision apparatus captures an image of a particle or material, interprets the image, then makes subsequent value judgements, and decides as to whether the particle is to be separated out. The decision of the machine vision apparatus controls a fluidic logic element which facilitates the separation of the particles or materials. The machine vision apparatus may, optionally, comprise a counter. The novelty of the invention lies with the combination of fluidics with a machine vision apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira A. Marcus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:49
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; B07C5/344; B07C5/36; B07C5/361; B07C5/362; G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/149; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/906; Y10S209/939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A sorting device for the separation of two or more visually distinguishable materials which are suspended in a fluid, said sorting device comprising: a fluidic logic element consisting essentially of a supply stream input port connected to a fluid suspension supply means, a first control port, a second control port, a first output port and a second output port; and a machine vision apparatus comprising an image capture device, an image interpretation device and a fluidic controller device; said machine vision apparatus is connected to said fluidic logic element at said first and said second control ports and sends signals to and operates said control ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sorting device for the separation of two or more visually distinguishable materials which are suspended in a fluid, said sorting device comprising: a fluidic logic element consisting essentially of a supply stream input port connected to a fluid suspension supply means, a first control port, a second control port, a first output port and a second output port; and a machine vision apparatus comprising an image capture device, an image interpretation device and a fluidic controller device; said machine vision apparatus is connected to said fluidic logic element at said first and said second control ports and sends signals to and operates said control ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said machine vision apparatus further comprises a counter means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fluid suspension supply means contains a fluid having at least two visually distinguishable materials suspended therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the visually distinguishable suspended materials to be separated are visually distinguishable based on the color of said suspended materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the visually distinguishable suspended materials to be separated are visually distinguishable based on the size of said suspended materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the visually distinguishable suspended materials to be separated are visually distinguishable based on the shape of said suspended materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sorting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the visually distinguishable suspended materials to be separated are visually distinguishable based on their visible reaction to an externally applied force.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |