Patent ID: 7147108
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
1. A method of separating particles by size, comprising: loading a set of particles of various sizes and responsive to electromagnetic forces into a starting position upon a separation collection component, wherein the separation collection component has a plurality of conductors each coupled to a current source; sending a first current through a first set of conductors in a first direction drawing a subset of larger particles from the set of particles toward a first adjacent position to the starting position on the separation collection component; sending one or more successively lower currents compared to the first current through a second set of conductors in the first direction drawing a subset of smaller particles from the set of particles toward a second adjacent position to the starting position on the separation collection component; and wherein loading the set of particles further comprises applying a higher current relative to the first current in a second direction through the first set of conductors drawing the set of particles towards the starting position on the separation collection component.