Method for singulating particles in a stream

Abstract

Particles are selected into a path based on measurable parameters by the following method: The particles are formed into a stream within at least one conduit carried on a body rotating about an axis, wherein the conduit is shaped such that the particles are accelerated to align sequentially in a line within the conduit. The parameters of the particles are measured sequentially in the aligned stream, and the particles are guided to one of a plurality of paths determined by the measurements. In one configuration, the body includes a disk component having a front facing a supply conduit, the conduit being located in the radial plane of the disk component. In another configuration, the measurement of the parameters is performed by one or more measuring devices carried on the disk or on the outer edge of the disk.

Description

[Technical Field] This invention relates to a method for sorting particles, enabling actions to be performed on the particles, such as detecting parameters of particles in a streaming medium. This invention can, but is not necessarily, used in methods and apparatus for picking particles after sorting. The configuration described below is primarily for picking seeds or grains based on optical evaluation of the particles, for example, to extract diseased seeds; however, this invention can be applied to using any evaluation method to detect any parameter of the particles and picking based on that parameter. Additionally, this invention can be used to manipulate particles when sorting is used, for example, for coating, sterilizing, or replenishing particles in a streaming medium. [Previous Technology] Optical seed sorting machines typically have three subsystems: a component for sorting or separating seeds; a component for detecting the quality characteristics of seeds; and a component for displacing seeds based on positive or negative quality characteristics. The most common sorting method in seed sorting machines is the waterfall method, in which seeds are discharged from a vibrating funnel and accelerated by gravity along a plane at a large angle. Because the displacement due to gravity is the square of time, the gaps open between seeds entering the system at slightly different times. In commercial technology, the slide rail is typically over 1 meter long. Seeds sorted by the waterfall method are discharged at random intervals and have a speed range. More deterministic systems use moving belts, cylinders, or plates with defined seed positions. In one variation, seeds are temporarily confined within indentations on the belt or plate by gravity. In another variation, seeds are confined within indentations by centrifugal force. In yet another variation, seeds are engaged by suction to a fixed position on the plate, cylinder, or belt. Grain properties are typically measured optically, but acoustic methods are also known in the literature. Optical methods can be classified as imaging and non-imaging. In imaging methods, one or more cameras capture images in two to four wavelength bands. Stroboscopic illumination is commonly used. These methods are limited by the synchronization problem between various measurements, and improvements have been proposed to aid synchronization. Non-imaging methods measure a large portion of the collective properties of the grain. Examples include near-infrared spectroscopy and scattering. Most prior art technologies used compressed air to eject the seed. Despite some technological advancements, compressed air ejection was imprecise, had a low response rate, and was not energy efficient. In 2008, a system using a mechanical lever attached to a rotating voice coil was proposed, which was more precise and used only 10% of the energy of a compressed air system. However, the voice coil's cycle time was comparable to the start-up time of the compressed air ejector. In one instance, the present invention can be used to detect and remove infected grains from a grain. Incident light is scattered by the grain, and infected grains reflect and scatter light quantitatively differently from healthy grains. The amplitudes of the reflected and scattered light are measured by a detector, normalized to the grain area, and compared with a critical value obtained from a statistical analysis of separated samples of known healthy and infected grains. In the method developed, when the amplitude exceeds the critical value, the grain is considered "infected," and when the scattered light drops below the critical value, the grain is considered "healthy." The critical value can be set to minimize the overall amount of mycotoxins in grains considered "healthy." The "infected" grains are then separated from the "healthy" grains. Although the present invention is specifically described and mentioned as relating to a method and apparatus for detecting and separating infected grains by comparing the amplitudes of scattered and reflected light, it will be understood that the principles of the invention are equally applicable to similar methods, apparatuses, machines, and structures for any type of grain separation. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such methods, apparatuses, machines, and structures for the separation of infected grains. This invention is particularly applicable to Fusarium head blight, which is prevalent in all grain-producing regions worldwide and infects cereal grains such as wheat. Infection rates vary from a few percent in arid climates to over 50% in humid climates. The severity of infection ranges from less than 1% FDK (Fusarium-damaged grain) to 100% FDK, with the highest values ​​occurring between 1% and 5%. Mycotoxins associated with infected grains reduce commercial value. 1% infected grains typically balance with 1 part per million (ppm) of mycotoxins, currently the maximum for food use in Canada, while the EU maximum is ½ ppm. Grains with more than 3% FDK are typically drastically reduced. Since infected wheat has virtually no commercial value, the effective removal of mycotoxins has significant economic value. Wheat is graded according to the maximum Fusarium infection rate: 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 5%. Not all grades are present in all wheat types, and higher infection rates result in increased discounts. In Canada, above 5% is graded as "Fusarium Damage," and above 10% is graded as "Commercial Rescue," which can be sold at a very high discount or no discount, depending on market conditions. Mycotoxin levels are currently reduced by screening the kernels, as healthy kernels are larger than infected kernels, or by milling (removing the surface of the kernels where toxins are concentrated). Empirically, milling reduces mycotoxin levels by half from 2 ppm (to 1 ppm) by removing the outer layer of the kernel. Gravity table separators are also used to separate kernels by density. Kernel are suspended in an airflow. Denser, healthy kernels sink, while less dense kernels float to the top. Empirically, screening and gravity table separators remove approximately 40% of FDK. [Summary of the Invention] According to the present invention, a method for sorting particles is provided, the method comprising: providing a supply of concentrated particles in a supply conduit; rotating a rotating body about an axis; the rotating body defining at least one conduit extending outward from an inner end adjacent to the axis to an outer end spaced outward from the axis by a larger radial distance than the inner end; feeding the concentrated particles at the inner end of the at least one conduit; the inner end being disposed in an array adjacent to the axis such that the supply conduit acts to accumulate the particles at the inner end of the at least one conduit for allowing the particles to enter the inner low-velocity end and for separating the crossflow of particles in the conduit into separate conduits of the at least one conduit; the at least one conduit being shaped and configured such that the particles are accelerated as they are transferred from the inner end to the outer end, so that the particles separated into the at least one conduit are sequentially aligned in a row in the conduit as they move toward the outer end. In many situations, the method includes operating on the sorted particles while they remain sorted. This operation may include simply observing or counting the sorted particles. However, sorting is particularly effective for treating sorted particles by means such as coating, inoculation, or sterilization. In other situations, the operation may include performing particle analysis or evaluation. However, in other situations, the particles may be used in a sorted state, such as in seeding, where sorting can be performed at high speed into a separation pipe for high-speed seeding operations. While the system is effective for a single pipe used to generate a high-speed flow of sorted particles, in many cases, multiple pipes are provided in an array configuration around a central feed duct. The above-defined method can be used in a method for detecting at least one measurable parameter of a particle flow, the method comprising: carrying particles in a particle flow in a supply conduit; rotating a rotating body about an axis; the rotating body defining at least one channel extending outward from an inner end adjacent to the axis to an outer end spaced outward from the axis by a larger radial distance than the inner end; the inner end being configured adjacent to the axis such that the supply conduit acts to deposit the particles at the inner end of the at least one channel for allowing the particles to enter the inner end; the at least one channel being shaped and configured such that the particles are accelerated as they are transferred from the inner end to the outer end, so that the particles separated into the channel are sequentially aligned in a row in the channel as they move toward the outer end; and measuring the at least one parameter of the particles for each of the at least one channel. In some situations, this method is provided for picking particles such that, for each of the pipes, the particles are guided to one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement of the parameter. However, the measurement of the parameter or multiple parameters obtained more effectively based on the degree of increase in particle sorting using the configuration described herein can be used for other purposes. Therefore, the configuration defined above offers the following advantages: the increased velocity gained from the rotation of the main body, together with the increased acceleration of the particles on the main body, better separates each particle from the next for parameter detection. Furthermore, the increased particle velocity can be used to increase the system's output, as parameter detection or measurement can be performed more rapidly. In one configuration, parameter measurements are performed while the particle is inside the pipe. This has the advantages of clearer and more defined particle position, as this is controlled by the rotation of the body and the positioning of the pipe. Based on the more precise position of the particle, parameter measurements can be performed more effectively in many situations. In this configuration, preferably, parameter measurements are performed using a measuring device carried on the rotating body. In this way, the measuring device is positioned relative to the pipe and therefore relative to a specific location of the particle. This simplifies the operation of the measuring device, as it can be more precisely focused on a specific location. In this configuration, each pipe may include one or more separate measuring devices dedicated to measuring the particles flowing through it. That is, each particle, as it moves along the pipe, may pass through a plurality of sensors or measuring devices aligned in a row, where each sensor or measuring device detects different parameters of the particle to enable better evaluation of the particle. However, in some configurations, a single sensor may provide all the necessary information. Preferably, at least a portion of the conduit near the measuring device comprises a transparent material. Providing a portion of the conduit as transparent allows measurements to be performed via the transparent section, while the conduit maintains a constant shape to continue controlling particle movement. In one configuration, the pipe wall or the pipe itself is divided by one or more gaps between segments. One or more measuring devices are located near the gaps to measure different parameters of the particles without obstructing the view from the pipe walls. When the pipe itself is divided into separate segments, each segment is preferably configured along a path of the pipe generally parallel to the average velocity vector of the particle at that segment's location to minimize disturbance to the particle flow along the pipe. Therefore, any of the techniques described herein can be used to manipulate the particles when they are within the gaps. In another configuration, particle separation can be achieved using electrostatic force, where particles are differentially charged according to selected parameters and then passed through a magnetic field, causing the differential charging to deflect the particles onto different paths. Typically, a configuration is provided in which equal charges are generated on each particle, such that particles of different masses are separated by passing them through a magnetic field acting on the particles based on their different masses, since each particle has a different or unique charge per unit mass. In an alternative configuration, parameter measurements can be performed using a plurality of measuring devices located in an annular region surrounding the end of the pipe, allowing measurement to be performed after the particles have been released from the pipe. This has the advantage that the measuring devices are spatially stationary, with only the pipe rotating on the rotating body. However, it has the disadvantage that the specific position of the particles can vary over a wide range, thus reducing the ability of the measuring devices to focus precisely. Therefore, the measuring devices may need to perform measurements over a wider area to accurately measure particles located within that area. Preferably, each measuring device is associated with one of a plurality of separation devices, each of which is configured to guide an individual particle to one of a plurality of paths determined by measurements of parameters performed by the associated measuring device. That is, each particle is detected and measured by the measuring device, and the measurement is used to initiate the direction of the particle toward one of the plurality of separation paths by the associated separation device, depending on the particle's parameters. In a preferred configuration, parameter measurements are performed using a plurality of measuring devices, wherein the number of devices equals the number of pipes or there may be more than one device for each pipe. That is, each particle in each pipe is measured independently using a separate measuring device for each pipe. However, it will be understood that the pipes can be configured to guide particles to the measuring devices associated with the plurality of pipes, provided that each particle is appropriately spaced from and guided to the next. The measuring devices may include a plurality of separate measuring components, such as X-ray, UV, visible, scattering, infrared, microwave, and acoustic detectors. In one configuration, one or more measuring devices and particle separation devices are both located on the rotating body. This ensures that the position of the particles is more specifically defined, but the operating components need to be mounted for rotation with the body. In another configuration, an array of stationary particle separation devices is provided, which are arranged around a rotating body such that the particles released from the outer end of the pipe are operated by one of the separation devices depending on the angular positioning of the particles released from the outer end of the pipe. That is, particles can be transmitted unguided from the outer end of the pipe to the array of separation devices along a trajectory determined by the angular velocity of the rotating body and the direction of the pipe at the outer end, and the associated detection devices are positioned relative to the separation devices to act on the particles in the particle's trajectory. In this configuration, a guide component may be provided at the outer end of each pipe, which is operable to change the trajectory when the particle self-spinning body is released. Preferably, each separation device is associated with a guide channel into which the particle enters as it is released from its outer end, and the associated detection device acts on the particle while it is in the guide channel. In a preferred configuration, the rotating body comprises a disk having a front facing the supply conduit, and the conduit lies in the radial plane of the disk and extends outward from the axis to the periphery of the disk. However, other shapes and configurations of the rotating body can be used. For example, the body can be three-dimensional, and the channel or conduit also has components extending in the Z direction along the axis of rotation. This can be used to change the acceleration force on the particles in the conduit as the particles move radially outward. In a preferred configuration, the conduit is shaped such that a first acceleration zone exists to accelerate the particles to produce the desired separation, followed by a zone with no net acceleration. In a third section, a deceleration zone may exist to slow the particles as they approach the separation or collection system, thereby reducing the impact load during separation or when the particles stop at the collection system. These zones can be obtained using the shaping of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional conduit structure. In the second region, the pipe path is configured such that inertial forces are balanced evenly by friction, resulting in no net acceleration and a nearly constant grain spacing. The advantage of the nearly constant velocity region is that more time is available for grain measurement. In some situations, it can be advantageous to reduce particle velocity (deceleration) before separation or sorting, or after the action has been performed, to minimize or eliminate damage from high-velocity impacts. The magnitude of the reduction is limited by the requirement that the separation mechanism acting on particle n needs time to return to its neutral position before particle n+1 arrives. The gap between particles can be reduced after measurement to allow for the jet cycle time. The purpose of deceleration is for use with particles that can be damaged by high-velocity impacts. The need for deceleration must be balanced with the required degree of sorting and the need for maximum output. The velocity of the particles can be balanced by adjusting the rate of radial displacement along the path of the pipe to balance the frictional and inertial (centrifugal and Coriolis) forces, and remain almost constant after the acceleration used to achieve the required sorting. When the rotating body is a disc, preferably, the conduit forms a channel with an open face facing the supply conduit. However, other configurations can be used, where the disc is not necessarily a completely solid structure, but can be simply provided by means of the necessary parts of the disc-shaped body for providing the conduit or duct through which the particles pass. In one example, the structure can be provided by a hub and spoke configuration, where particles are fed at the hub into individual conduits defined by the spokes. While typically the structure includes as many conduits as possible that can be formed in the structure to maximize the flow rate of the system by maximizing the number of conduits, in some cases the structure may include a very limited number of conduits, such as only one or two when high throughput is not required. Preferably, the pipe is curved so that the outer end is angled relative to the inner end. This shape typically closely follows the path of the particle because the particle is accelerated under centrifugal and Coriolis forces, allowing the particle to travel along the path without excessive friction against the side of the pipe. Preferably, the pipes are arranged side-by-side directly at the inner end of the adjacent axis, such that the feed conduit accumulates the particles in such a way that the particles are directly separated to the inner end of the pipe, and the spacing of the pipes increases towards the outer end because the area of ​​the increased diameter of the pipes moves towards the rotating body. To maximize the number of channels, at the outer end of the channels, the channels preferably include branches that separate the flow of particles into separate branch channels to increase the number of outlets relative to the number of inlets, thus maximizing the number of outlets at the outer edge of the rotating body. In another optional configuration, the pipes can be stacked one on top of the other at the inner ends to maximize the number of inlets, and are configured in a common radial plane at the outer ends such that all outlets are located side by side in a radial plane at the outer edge of the rotating body. In another optional configuration, each feed pipe via a central feed conduit called the "mother pipe" may have one or more secondary pipes called "daughter pipes." Each daughter pipe is fed via the mother pipe or another daughter pipe. The daughter pipes extend generally parallel to the mother pipe. Particles are transferred from the first pipe to the second pipe through one or more channels in the wall of the first pipe that apply force to the particles. Each channel in the first pipe is shaped to allow particles smaller than a critical size to be transferred to the second pipe. Particles larger than the critical size are retained by the first pipe. The channels act as size filters, such that the largest particles are delivered to the discharge end of the mother pipe and each subsequent daughter pipe progressively delivers smaller particles. The daughter pipes may be associated with detectors and ejectors or other actions on the particles in these daughter pipes, or may simply be used to transport unwanted particles to a disposal bin. In the case of grains, the daughter pipes can be used to transport less desirable particles, such as immature seeds, broken seeds, weed seeds, and dirt. Preferably, the axis of the rotating body is vertical, so that the disk is located in a horizontal plane. However, other orientations can be used. Preferably, the sidewall of each pipe against which the particles move is angled along the axial direction, such that the accelerating force on the particles moves them into a common radial plane for release from the rotating body. That is, the accelerating force tends to position the particles along the axial direction of the rotating body toward the common axial direction. In this way, even if the particles enter the pipe at axially spaced locations, the shape of the pipe will bring all such particles to the same axial position. In a preferred configuration, each conduit is shaped such that acceleration causes the particle to move against the wall of the conduit, wherein the wall is V-shaped to confine the particle to the base of the V-shape. The wall may include a surface including rifling for engaging and rotating the particle in the conduit. Additionally, the wall may include one or more openings at a location allowing components smaller than the particle to be released and separated from the particle via the openings. Each conduit may include an associated second conduit parallel to the conduit into which the separated smaller component enters. This can be used in systems with stacks of such conduits, allowing particles to separate from each other by size from the outset. In one example, each separation device includes: a separation head having a front edge configured such that particles to be separated move toward the front edge in a stream; and an actuator for moving the front edge between a first positioning configured on one side of the stream to guide particles to a second side of the stream and a second positioning configured on the second side of the stream to guide particles to that side of the stream. In this example, preferably, the separating head is disposed in the radial plane of the rotating body, and the first side and the second side are disposed on individual sides of the radial plane. In this example, preferably, the separating head includes angled guide surfaces on the first and second sides of the front edge, such that the separating head is generally wedge-shaped. Preferably, the actuator is moved by a piezoelectric component. However, other driving forces, such as electromagnetic voice coils, can be used. Preferably, the actuator is mounted in a tube that extends radially outside the separating head and is located in the radial plane of the separating head. According to another important feature of the invention, which can be used independently of other features, each separation device includes: a conduit portion configured such that particles to be separated move through the conduit portion in a stream; and an actuator for moving the discharge end of the conduit portion between at least two separation positions configured to guide the particles to a corresponding separation collection position. In this configuration, preferably, the discharge end of the pipe section is moved to the first and second positions spaced apart axially by the rotating body. However, other movements are possible, as long as the first and second positions allow for the desired separation in the separation position or in the separation collection channel. In this configuration, preferably, the conduit portion is mounted on the rotating body for rotation together with the rotating body. However, the movable conduit portion can also be used in embodiments where particles are guided into the conduit portion after leaving the rotating body, wherein the conduit portion is moved to a separation position depending on the measurement that occurs. In some situations, actuators move using piezoelectric components. However, more preferably, to provide the necessary force and amount of movement, actuators are typically electromagnetic voice coils. According to another important feature of the invention, which can be used independently of other features, each conduit preferably includes a first portion configured for separating each particle from the next by acceleration and a second portion for measurement, wherein the first and second portions are configured such that the particle acceleration in the first portion is greater than the particle acceleration in the second portion. It is intended that, in this method, the second portion is configured such that the particle acceleration in the second portion is low or close to zero, in order to maintain the particles at or near a constant velocity during measurement. According to another important feature of the invention, which can be used independently of other features, a further portion of the conduit is preferably provided in which the particles are decelerated to reduce their velocity for separation, or for collection of the particles after the action has been completed. In this way, the velocity of the particles can be sufficiently reduced to avoid impact damage, especially in the case of larger seeds such as peas, beans, or berries that are of high quality and relatively soft. In one instance, particles can be slowed down by the shape of a further section of the conduit, which acts to decelerate the particles within it. That is, the shape of the conduit section is configured to counteract the centrifugal force that accelerates the particles. In another example, particles can be slowed down by airflow located in a further section, such as by air nozzles. Another important feature of the invention, which can be used independently of other features, allows the particles to engage with an impact surface during guidance. This impact surface is configured to impact the particles while reducing the impact load on them. For example, the impact surface may comprise an elastic material to reduce the impact load on the particles. However, other configurations, such as the shaping of the impact surface, can be used. Another important feature of the invention, which can be used independently of the other features, provides a closure component for sealing one or more inlets and outlets in a conduit from a supply conduit. This can be used in situations where one or more supply conduits in a conduit are sealed so that only some conduits can be used when the particle supply from the supply conduit is low. This closure feature is also useful in allowing the unit to continue operating (at reduced capacity) when diagnostic tests indicate that one of the many measuring devices or injectors has failed, allowing the system to continue with properly functioning piping. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a stream of particles in a column; positioning a particle separating device at the stream, the particle separating device being operable to guide each particle into one of a plurality of paths as determined by operation of the separating device; wherein each separating device comprises: a separating head having a front edge positioned generally along the stream such that particles in the stream move toward the front edge; and an actuator for moving the front edge between a first positioning on a first side of the stream configured to guide the particle to a second side of the stream and a second positioning on the second side of the stream configured to guide the particle to the first side of the stream. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a stream of particles in a column; positioning a particle separation device at the stream, the particle separation device being operable to guide each particle to one of a plurality of paths as determined by operation of the separation device; wherein each separation device includes an actuator for moving a separation component between a first position configured to guide the particle to a first path and a second position configured to guide the particle to a second path; wherein the actuator is moved by means of a piezoelectric element. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a stream of particles in a column; positioning a particle separation device at the stream, the particle separation device being operable to guide each particle to one of a plurality of paths as determined by operation of the separation device; wherein each separation device comprises: a pipe portion configured such that the particles to be separated move through the pipe portion in the stream; and an actuator for moving an outlet end of the pipe portion between at least two separation positions configured to guide the particles to a corresponding separation collection position. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a stream of particles in a column; positioning a particle separation device at the stream, the particle separation device being operable to guide each particle to one of a plurality of paths as determined by operation of the separation device; wherein each particle is configured to be separated from a first portion and a second portion of the next separation path by acceleration, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured such that the acceleration of the particle in the first portion is greater than the acceleration of the particle in the second portion. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a stream of particles in a column; positioning a particle separation device at the stream, the particle separation device being operable to guide each particle into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the operation of the separation device; and decelerating each particle to reduce the velocity of the particle to prevent particle damage. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for picking particles is provided, the method comprising: carrying particles to be picked in a supply conduit; forming the particles from the supply conduit into a plurality of separate streams of particles in a column; positioning a particle separation device at the streams, the particle separation device being operable to guide each particle to one of a plurality of paths as determined by the operation of the separation device; including blocking one or more inlets and outlets from the supply conduit to the streams. In all the above scenarios, the operation of the separation equipment is based on the measurement of particle parameters along the path. However, the separation equipment can be used in other situations where no measurement occurs. This configuration may include the following possibilities: measuring quality parameters of sorted particles, performing operations on the sorted particles, and subsequently measuring quality parameters after the operations to determine further operations. The cycle of measurement and operation may occur several times. This configuration may also include the following possibilities: performing operations on sorted particles, and subsequently measuring quality parameters after the operations to determine further operations. The cycle of operation and measurement may occur several times. This configuration may also include the possibility of measuring quality parameters of sorted particles without any operational steps. This configuration may also include the possibility of performing operations or sequences of operations on sorted particles without any measurement steps. That is, some of these sequential operations can be defined herein as separation. Separation operations can be cascaded in multiple steps. For example, a first measurement can be used to determine which of two or more subsequent paths a particle follows. Each path can have different further operations and measurements. Loops can be repeated multiple times to produce multiple output streams. However, other processes can be performed in the same system, such as particle coating or irradiation of particles for sterilization. Sorting allows access to all particle surfaces for coating or irradiation. Without sorting, the coating material can be non-uniform or bridged between adjacent particles. Sorting can facilitate higher-level coating processes. Sterilization by UV radiation is effective, for example, only on surfaces with a direct line of sight between the surface and the radiation source. Shaded surfaces are not sterilized, so sorting is critical to the effectiveness of the sterilization process. Each pipeline can therefore be associated with multiple sequential processes, some or all of which are related to separation and some may involve other processes on the particles. Some of the processes can manipulate the particles to improve measurement steps at subsequent workstations along the pipeline. Between some processes, it may be necessary to slow down and / or accelerate the particles. Therefore, this invention can be used to control particle flow in a multi-step process and to customize the treatment of each particle based on measured parameters. There can be a plurality of detection steps and a plurality of operations performed on the particles based on the particle properties measured at each detection step. For example, a first step can be used to detect and remove foreign materials such as chaff, and the remaining material can further flow along a conduit to a second detector that measures seed quality parameters. In another example, sorted seeds flowing along the conduit can be coated with different materials (fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, probiotics, etc.) based on measured seed parameters. In yet another example, a dose of radiation, such as electromagnetic radiation or photon treatment, can be applied to the particles flowing in the conduit, and this dose can be applied depending on the measured particle parameters. Electromagnetic radiation can be used to bake natural products (microwaves, infrared) or to control the degree of photopolymerization (UV) in the beads. The multi-step process can also be carried out using a second rotating body that receives particles from a first, such as an annular disk, which surrounds an inner disk that can then rotate at different speeds. Sorting is typically performed to isolate heterogeneous materials into more homogeneous bins, which can then be further processed. Conceptually, processing steps can be performed on the sorted particles. In situations requiring a "soft landing" to prevent impact damage to fragile particles, particles may impact a curtain or brush with strips that deform on a time scale equal to the impact period. The curtain may be composed of water. In one embodiment, the water meniscus is formed by a chamber rotating about a common axis together with the sorting device. In another embodiment, the water curtain is a waterfall surrounding the sorting device. These embodiments, including water curtains, are preferred to minimize or eliminate damage to soft fruits such as blueberries or Saskatoon. Alternative configurations for providing controlled deceleration of fragile particles such as berries include surfaces that smoothly and gradually flip the particles in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal plane of the pipe, thereby reducing velocity by a low force from the deceleration, resisting the gravity of the upward-moving particles. This effect can also be achieved by forming a rotating liquid meniscus in a disk surrounding the pipe, causing the particles to flip upwards in the liquid out of the plane of the pipe. It will be understood that, after operations such as measurement and separation are completed and before the particles are collected, many particles, depending on their structure, require controlled deceleration in or downstream of the pipeline. Various methods for controlled deceleration are available and described herein. The present invention is not limited to the type or size of the particles involved and can be operated together with different particles or objects to be separated. Berries such as alder and blueberries have short shelf lives due to spoilage and require immediate handling after harvest. Spoiled and unripe berries are sorted out. This invention provides a component for faster berry sorting, reducing spoilage and presenting consumers with a higher quality product. In agriculture, crop yields are optimized by planting a specific number of seeds per unit area. Not all seeds produce viable plants. Additional seeds are planted to compensate for those that fail to germinate or produce viable plants. This invention can be used, typically in seeding or planting equipment, to select seeds based on vigor-related measurements, such that the seeds most likely to produce viable plants are planted, while less viable seeds are used for other purposes. This invention can be used to select seeds by size for compatibility with planting equipment. This invention can be used to count seeds so that a specific number can be planted. This invention can also be used to provide a rapid stream of sorted seeds of known quality and quantity in planting equipment. Because the number of seeds sorted per second provided by this invention is much higher than in prior art, farmers can sow more acres per hour. Mining operations produce ore, which is crushed to produce particles of similar size and then smelted. Typically, only a small fraction of the ore contains useful minerals, while the remainder is rejected as slag. The energy investment required to melt the rock that ultimately becomes slag is considerable. This invention provides a component for improving the energy efficiency of mining operations. The mineral variations present in each ore particle can be measured using various spectroscopic methods such as X-ray, Raman, and infrared. Particles containing a concentration exceeding the critical level of useful minerals can be directed to the furnace, while particles containing a concentration below the critical level can be directed to the waste heap. This saves on the cost of melting rejected particles. This invention can be applied to sort colloidal particles, which are typically produced during a condensation process that generates a distribution of size and shape. The permissible electronic transitions in metal colloids are sensitively dependent on the size and shape of the colloid. This invention can be used to sort colloidal particles into homogeneous categories based on size and shape or based on absorption spectra. While the conduits described in some examples herein are typically channels with upright sides formed in a disc, they can also be circular, oval, triangular, or quadrilateral, or generally C-shaped, V-shaped, or L-shaped partial conduits. Conduits can also be defined by a minimum of two- or three-dimensional surfaces, or by surfaces defined by contact points where forces are applied to the particles. Conduits can also be closed tubes with many different cross-sectional shapes, such as circular, oval, triangular, or quadrilateral. The current implementation of the technology can achieve a rate of approximately 100 grains per second per channel with good accuracy and a rate of approximately 200 grains per second with poor accuracy. The configuration described below can provide objects to increase seed rate, reduce equipment size, and reduce energy requirements. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG1 is an isometric view of a grain sorting device illustrating a method for grain sorting according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1. Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show vertical cross-sectional views of the separation device that runs through the apparatus in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a partial isometric view showing the shape of one of the grooves or pipes in the device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus using the method according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the stack of pipes used for particle size separation in the apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an apparatus using the method according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7, which only shows one of the pipes. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a method including a series of stages using the separation device of Figure 1. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the separation system used in a planting system to separate active seeds from a smaller number of active seeds and to count seeds so as to plant the required number of active seeds into the ground. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a method for performing different actions on particles using the separation device of Figure 1. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a disk used in the method according to the present invention and showing different shapes for pipe shapes.

Implementation Method

Claims

1. A method for sorting particles, the method comprising: providing a supply of concentrated particles in a supply conduit; rotating a rotating body about an axis; the rotating body defining at least one conduit extending outward from an inner end adjacent to the axis to an outer end, the outer end being spaced outward from the axis by a greater radial distance than the inner end; feeding the concentrated particles at the inner end of the at least one conduit; the inner end being disposed in an array adjacent to the axis such that the supply conduit acts to accumulate the particles at the inner end of the at least one conduit for allowing the particles to enter the inner end and for separating a flow of particles in the conduit into separate conduits in the at least one conduit; the at least one conduit being shaped and disposed such that the particles are accelerated by centrifugal force as they are transferred from the inner end to the outer end, so that the particles separated into the at least one conduit are successively sorted and aligned in a row in the conduit as they move toward the outer end.

2. The method according to claim 1, which includes performing an operation on the sorted particles.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation is performed by one or more devices carried on the rotating body.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation is performed by a plurality of devices located in an annular region surrounding the outer ends of the at least one conduit, such that the operation is performed after the particles are released from the at least one conduit.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one conduit comprises a plurality of conduits arranged in an array around the axis, wherein the conduits are directly side-by-side at the inner ends adjacent to the axis for cooperating with the supply conduit and increasing the spacing toward the outer ends.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation includes a measuring device associated with one of a plurality of separation devices, each of the plurality of separation devices being configured to guide an individual particle into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement of the parameter performed by the associated measuring device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the measurement of the parameter is performed by a plurality of measuring devices equal in number to the number of pipes, wherein each of the measuring devices includes one or more components for separation parameters of the particles.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotating body includes a disc component having a front facing the supply conduit, and the at least one conduit is located in a radial plane of the disc component and extends outward from the axis to a periphery of the disc.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one conduit is bent such that the outer end is angularly retarded relative to the inner end.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 of the patent application, wherein the at least one conduit includes a branch.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one conduit includes a sidewall against which the particles are driven by a Coriolis force generated by acceleration, the sidewall being shaped such that the acceleration of the particles moves the particles into a common radial plane for release from the rotating body.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one conduit includes a first portion configured for separating each of the particles from the next by means of the acceleration, and a second portion for measurement, wherein the second portion is configured to decelerate the particles.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one conduit includes one or more openings at a location such that components smaller than the particles are released from the particles via the openings, and wherein the at least one conduit has an associated second conduit parallel to the conduit into which the separated smaller components enter.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one conduit is shaped such that the acceleration causes the particle to move against a wall of the conduit, and wherein the wall is V-shaped to confine the particle to a base of the V-shape.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one separation device is provided, the at least one separation device comprising: a separation head having a leading edge configured in a neutral position such that particles to be separated move in a stream toward the leading edge in the neutral position; and an actuator for moving the leading edge from the neutral position to a first position on one side of the stream configured to guide the particles to a first path on a second side of the stream or a second position on the second side of the stream configured to guide the particles to a second path on the same side of the stream.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the separating head is disposed in the radial plane of the rotating body, and the first side and the second side are disposed on individual sides of the radial plane.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the separating head includes angled guide surfaces on the first and second sides of the front edge.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the separating head is generally wedge-shaped.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the actuator is moved by a piezoelectric component.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the separating head is carried by the rotating body.

21. The method of claim 15, comprising providing a second particle separation device for at least one of the first and second paths, operable to guide each particle into one of a third and a fourth path of a plurality of paths, wherein the second particle separation device includes a second separation head having a front edge disposed substantially along the stream such that particles in the stream move toward the front edge, at least a first side surface and a second side surface radiating from the front edge, and an actuator for moving the front edge.

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