Systems and methods for collecting a particulate substance

Abstract

A collector system for collecting a measurable amount of a particulate substance using an electrostatically charged collector. The collector is brought into proximity with the particulate substance and the electrostatic forces collect a measurable amount of the particulate substance on the collector. The collector system can further include a measurement system to measure the collected amount and a control system to adjust the collected amount until a specific amount of particulate substance is collected. The system can further include a conveyance system configured to convey a specific amount of the particulate substance from location to location within the collector system. In addition, the collector system can be configured to automatically collect and measure a specific amount of a particulate substance.

1 . A method for collecting an amount of a particulate substance, comprising: 
 electrostatically charging a collector;    bringing the charged collector into proximity with a particulate substance;    collecting an amount of the particulate substance on the charged collector; and    measuring the amount of collected particulate substance.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 conveying the amount of collected particulate substance to a target location; and    depositing the collected particulate substance.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein depositing the substance comprises reducing the electrostatic charge on the collector.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein depositing the substance comprises applying a mechanical vibration to the collector.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein depositing the substance comprises applying forced air to the collected particulate substance.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein depositing the substance comprises reversing the polarity of the electrostatic charge.  
   
   
       7 . A system for collecting an amount of a particulate substance, comprising: 
 a collector configured to receive an electrostatic charge and collect an amount of a particulate substance when brought into proximity with the particulate substance;    a control system configured to control the electrostatic charge on the collector and the position of the collector;    a measurement system configured to measure the particulate substance; and    a communication channel configured to communicatively couple the control system, the measurement system, and the collector.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is configured to adjust the electrostatic charge on the collector to regulate the amount of the particulate substance collected by the collector.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is configured to adjust the position of the collector relative to the particulate substance to regulate the amount of the particulate substance collected by the collector.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system is configured to adjust the length of time the collector is in proximity with the particulate substance to regulate the amount of the particulate substance collected by the collector.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control system comprises a charging unit configured to apply the electrostatic charge to the collector.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the measurement system is configured to determine the amount particulate substance collected by the collector.