Three-dimensional fluid filter using magnetostrictive sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021086113-A1
Application number	US-202017025409-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 18, 2020
Priority date	Sep 23, 2019
Publication date	Mar 25, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a pipe and a magnetic field generator such as an array of permanent magnets. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field through a filter section of the pipe. Multiple filter elements are positioned within the filter section of the pipe. The filter elements include a magnetic material and a biorecognition element to bind with a microorganism. The biorecognition element may be a bacteriophage that is genetically engineered to bind with the microorganism. The magnetic field forces the filter elements to positions within the filter section of the pipe. A fluid media may be flowed from an inlet of the pipe to an outlet of the pipe, through the filter section. The fluid media may be a liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

First claim

1 . A fluid filter comprising:
a pipe comprising a nonmagnetic material, wherein the pipe includes an inlet, an outlet, and a filter section positioned between the inlet and the outlet; a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field through the filter section of the pipe; and a plurality of filter elements positioned within the pipe in the filter section, wherein each filter element comprises a magnetic material and a biorecognition element to bind with a microorganism; wherein the magnetic field forces the plurality of filter elements to positions within the filter section of the pipe.

2 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, wherein the first permanent magnet is positioned adjacent to a first side of the pipe, wherein the second permanent magnet is positioned adjacent to a second side of the pipe opposite the first side, and wherein the magnetic field extends through the filter section of the pipe between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet.

3 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator comprises an electromagnet.

4 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field forces each filter element to extend across a cross-section of the pipe.

5 . The magnetic filter of claim 4 , wherein the magnetic field forces each filter element to extend perpendicularly to a flow direction of the pipe.

6 . The fluid filter of claim 4 , wherein the pipe has a rectangular cross-section.

7 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the biorecognition element comprises a bacteriophage that is genetically engineered to bind with the microorganism.

8 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein each filter element comprises a magnetostrictive sensor, wherein the magnetic material comprises a magnetostrictive material.

9 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is positioned above the outlet to allow gravity flow of a fluid through the pipe.

10 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid pump coupled to the inlet of the pipe.

11 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , further comprising a controllable valve coupled to the outlet of the pipe.

12 . The fluid filter of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second pipe positioned adjacent to the pipe, wherein the second pipe comprises the nonmagnetic material, and wherein the second pipe includes an inlet coupled to the inlet of the pipe, an outlet coupled to the outlet of the pipe, and a filter section positioned adjacent to the filter section of the pipe; and a plurality of the filter elements positioned within the second pipe in the filter section; wherein the magnetic field generator is further to generate the magnetic field through the filter section of the second pipe.

13 . A method for fluid filtration, the method comprising:
flowing a fluid media through a fluid filter, wherein the fluid filter comprises:
a pipe comprising a nonmagnetic material, wherein the pipe includes an inlet, an outlet, and a filter section positioned between the inlet and the outlet;
a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field through the filter section of the pipe; and
a plurality of filter elements positioned within the pipe in the filter section, wherein each filter element comprises a magnetic material and a biorecognition element to bind with a microorganism;
wherein the magnetic field forces the plurality of filter elements to positions within the filter section of the pipe.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid media comprises a liquid food product.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid media comprises wash water.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
washing a food product to generate the wash water; and collecting the wash water in response to washing the food product; wherein flowing the fluid media comprises flowing the fluid media in response to collecting the wash water.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid media comprises process water.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid media comprises irrigation water.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein each filter element comprises a magnetostrictive sensor, wherein the magnetic material comprises a magnetostrictive material.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
collecting the filter elements in response to flowing the fluid media through the fluid filter; applying a varying magnetic field to the filter elements in response to collecting the filter elements; and detecting a frequency response of the filter elements while applying the varying magnetic field.

Assignees

• Univ Auburn

Inventors

• Chin Bryan A
• Cheng Zhongyan
• Du Songtao
• Chen Pengyu

Classifications

• B01D2201/4069

  Magnetic means · CPC title

• B03C1/025

  High gradient magnetic separators · CPC title

• B03C1/286

  disposed at the inner circumference of a recipient, e.g. magnetic drain bolt · CPC title

• B03C2201/26

  for use in medical or biological applications · CPC title

• B03C2201/18

  Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid · CPC title