Apparatus and method for dispensing small quantities of particles
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01G-013/04
G01G-013/00
출원번호
US-0112545
(2005-04-21)
등록번호
US-7358451
(2008-04-15)
우선권정보
GB-9926335.2(1999-11-05)
발명자
/ 주소
MacMichael,Bruce
Westland,Duncan
출원인 / 주소
Powderject Research Limited
대리인 / 주소
Bozicevic,Karl
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
7인용 특허 :
18
초록▼
There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop
There is disclosed an apparatus and method which is capable of dispensing very small (typically less than 5 mg) quantities of particles to a high accuracy in a repeatable way and without undue wastage. Also, the need for advanced particle formulation is reduced. The apparatus comprises a closed loop control system which uses an electromechanical actuator to deliver impact energy to a supply of particles initially held on a sieve in a hopper. The impact energy causes a small number of particles to fall through the sieve and onto a weight measuring balance. The weight obtained is scrutinised by a processor to see if further actuations are required. In preferred embodiments, the energy of actuation is varied in accordance with the rate of dispensation calculated by the processor. Also, a correction amount can be obtained to take account of the fact that the balance can take a considerable amount of time to settle to its final value.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus for dispensing particles, comprising: a particle retainer for retaining a supply of the particles to be dispensed; a particle release actuator for causing, in response to an actuation signal, some of said supply of particles to be dispensed from said particle
The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus for dispensing particles, comprising: a particle retainer for retaining a supply of the particles to be dispensed; a particle release actuator for causing, in response to an actuation signal, some of said supply of particles to be dispensed from said particle retainer; a weight measuring device for measuring the apparent weight of particles dispensed from said particle retainer and for outputting a signal representing the measured apparent weight; wherein said particle release actuator is arranged to transmit a discrete impulse of force to said particle retainer; and wherein the energy of said discrete impulse of force corresponds to a characteristic of said actuation signal provided to said particle release actuator, whereby the number of particles dispensed from said particle retainer is related to the energy of said discrete impulse of force; further comprising a processor operatively connected to said particle release actuator and arranged to provide said actuation signal thereto, said processor also being operatively connected to said weight measuring device and being arranged to receive said measured apparent weight signal therefrom; wherein said processor provides an actuation signal having a characteristic that causes a less energetic discrete impulse of force to be transmitted to said particle retainer as the weight of particles dispensed approaches a target weight. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said particle release actuator is spaced apart from said particle retainer by means of a rod. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said particle retainer and particle release actuator are supported by a pivot and a spring so that the lower end of the particle retainer may be lifted out of, and lowered into, a particle cassette cavity. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said particle release actuator is a solenoid. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said particle retainer comprises a plurality of apertures through which said particles are dispensed. 6. A method of dispensing particles, said method comprising the steps of: retaining a supply of particles to be dispensed; providing an actuation signal; transmitting a discrete impulse of force to said retained supply of particles, wherein the energy of said discrete impulse of force corresponds to a characteristic of said actuation signal, to thereby cause some of said supply of particles to be dispensed, wherein the number of particles dispensed is related to the energy of said discrete impulse of force; and measuring the apparent weight of particles dispensed and outputting a signal representing the measured apparent weight; wherein said discrete impulse of force has less energy as the weight of particles dispensed approaches a target weight. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said discrete impulse of force is provided by a horizontally disposed solenoid. 8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said particles are dispensed through a plurality of apertures. 9. Apparatus for dispensing particles, comprising: a particle retainer for retaining a supply of the particles to be dispensed; a particle release actuator for causing, in response to an actuation signal, some of said supply of particles to be dispensed from said particle retainer; a weight measuring device for measuring the apparent weight of particles dispensed fiom said particle retainer and for outputting a signal representing the measured apparent weight; wherein said particle release actuator is arranged to transmit a discrete impulse of force to said particle retainer; and wherein the energy of said discrete impulse of force corresponds to a characteristic of said actuation signal provided to said particle release actuator, whereby the number of particles dispensed from said particle retainer is related to the energy of said discrete impulse of force; further comprising a processor operatively connected to said particle release actuator and arranged to provide said actuation signal thereto, said processor also being operatively connected to said weight measuring device and being arranged to receive said measured apparent weight signal therefrom; wherein said processor provides an actuation signal having a characteristic that causes less frequent discrete impulses of force to be transmitted to said particle retainer as the weight of particles dispensed approaches a target weight. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said particle release actuator is spaced apart from said particle retainer by means of a rod. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said particle retainer and particle release actuator are supported by a pivot and a spring so that the lower end of the particle retainer may be lifted out of, and lowered into, a particle cassette cavity. 12. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said particle release actuator is a solenoid. 13. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said particle retainer comprises a plurality of apertures through which said particles are dispensed. 14. A method of dispensing particles, said method comprising the steps of: retaining a supply of particles to be dispensed; providing an actuation signal; transmitting a discrete impulse of force to said retained supply of particles, wherein the energy of said discrete impulse of force corresponds to a characteristic of said actuation signal, to thereby cause some of said supply of particles to be dispensed, wherein the number of particles dispensed is related to the energy of said discrete impulse of force; and measuring the apparent weight of particles dispensed and outputting a signal representing the measured apparent weight; wherein said discrete impulse of force is less frequent as the weight of particles dispensed approaches a target weight. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said discrete impulse of force is provided by a horizontally disposed solenoid. 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said particles are dispensed through a plurality of apertures.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (18)
Hyer Frank S. (Duxbury MA) Kintner Paul M. (Pembroke MA), Adaptation to major or sporadic disturbance error in weigh feeding apparatus.
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