Patent ID: 11927520
Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A particle monitoring system comprising:
a flow passage;
a particle imager to image a targeted particle within the flow passage;
electrodes supported proximate the flow passage;
a power source connected to the electrodes; and
a controller to cause the power source to charge the electrodes so as to (1) apply an electric field balanced with respect to gravity so as to hold, levitate and rotate a targeted particle within the flow passage during imaging and (2) release the targeted particle following the imaging,
wherein the flow passage comprises a floor and a ceiling, wherein the controller is to charge the electrodes to hold, levitate and rotate the targeted particle in a first zone spaced from and between the floor and the ceiling while allowing non-targeted particles to flow past the targeted particle through a second zone between the floor and the ceiling.