US 12,138,639 B2
System, method and controller for recovery of concentrated particles suspended in fluid
David James, Mount Martha (AU); Stephen Wilson, Mount Martha (AU); and Ian Fitzpatrick, Mount Martha (AU)
Assigned to Scinogy Products Pty Ltd, Mount Martha (AU)
Appl. No. 16/963,466
Filed by SCINOGY PRODUCTS PTY LTD, Mount Martha (AU)
PCT Filed Jan. 22, 2019, PCT No. PCT/AU2019/050036
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 20, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/140491, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 25, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2018900191 (AU), filed on Jan. 22, 2018; and application No. 2018903959 (AU), filed on Oct. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0046489 A1, Feb. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B04B 5/04 (2006.01); A61M 1/36 (2006.01); B01D 21/26 (2006.01); B04B 11/02 (2006.01); G01N 15/06 (2024.01); G01N 15/075 (2024.01)
CPC B04B 5/0442 (2013.01) [A61M 1/3693 (2013.01); B01D 21/262 (2013.01); B04B 11/02 (2013.01); G01N 15/06 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3306 (2013.01); B04B 2005/0471 (2013.01); G01N 15/075 (2024.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid recovery system configured to operatively engage with a concentrator apparatus comprising a concentrating chamber having a first fluid path and a second fluid path connected in line with a fluid pumping mechanism, whereby to recover concentrated fluid from the concentrating chamber fluid enters the concentrating chamber via the first fluid path as fluid exits the concentrating chamber via the second fluid path to a fluid recovery tube, and a recovery valve assembly and a valve actuator configured to switch flow of fluid from the fluid recovery tube to one of two or more fluid output tubes, at least one fluid output tube providing a fluid capture path and at least one fluid output tube providing a non-capture path;
the fluid recovery system comprising:
a density sensor configured to detect density of fluid in the fluid recovery tube preceding the recovery valve assembly when operatively engaged with the concentrator apparatus; and
a controller configured to:
monitor operation of the fluid pumping mechanism to determine dynamic fluid volume movement of fluid in the fluid recovery tube,
monitor the density sensor to identify:
a first density transition in fluid in the fluid recovery tube from a first density to a second density, the second density being higher than the first density, the density transition being indicative of a leading edge of a portion of concentrated particles in the fluid passing through the recovery tube; and
a second density transition from the second density to a third density, the third density being lower than the second density, the density transition being indicative of a trailing edge of a portion of concentrated particles in the fluid passing through the recovery tube;
and
determine based on a fluidic volume between an outlet of the concentrating chamber and recovery valve assembly a first control event for switching fluid flow in the fluid recovery tube to the fluid capture path;
determine, based on detection of the first density transition, the second density transition and dynamic fluid volume movement, a volume of suspension containing target material for recovery, determine a second control event for switching fluid flow in the fluid recovery tube from the fluid capture path to the non-capture path to capture the volume of suspension containing target material for recovery; and
control operation of the valve actuator in accordance with the first control event to switch between the non-capture path and the fluid capture path, and in accordance with the second control event to switch fluid flow between the fluid capture path and the non-capture path.