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US4218921A
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Method and apparatus for shaping and enhancing acoustical levitation forces
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1979-07-13
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Granted: 1980-08-26
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Expires: 1999-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enhancing and shaping acoustical levitation forces in a single-axis acoustic resonance system wherein specially shaped drivers and reflectors are utilized to enhance the levitation force and better contain fluid substances by means of field shaping.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Oran
- 👤 LeRoy H. Berge
- 👤 Donald A. Reiss
- 👤 Jerry L. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/10; G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for enhancing and shaping acoustical levitation forces in an acoustic resonance system in which a specimen of material may be suspended in a fluid medium, said apparatus comprising: an acoustical driver element; a concavely curved surface formed at an end of said driver element; an acoustical reflector element spaced above said driver element; a concavely curved reflector surface formed at an end of said reflector element faced opposing said concavely curved surface of said driving element; and drive means operatively connected to said acoustical driver element for generating a high frequency radiation pressure field in which an enhanced, shaped levitation force is produced between said curved surfaces of said driver and reflector elements; whereby heavier materials and liquid substances may be levitated and better contained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for enhancing and shaping acoustical levitation forces in an acoustic resonance system in which a specimen of material may be suspended in a fluid medium, said apparatus comprising: an acoustical driver element; a concavely curved surface formed at an end of said driver element; an acoustical reflector element spaced above said driver element; a concavely curved reflector surface formed at an end of said reflector element faced opposing said concavely curved surface of said driving element; and drive means operatively connected to said acoustical driver element for generating a high frequency radiation pressure field in which an enhanced, shaped levitation force is produced between said curved surfaces of said driver and reflector elements; whereby heavier materials and liquid substances may be levitated and better contained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said concave driver and reflector surfaces are spherical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said concave driver and reflector surfaces are elliptical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said concavely curved surface of said reflector element has a greater curvature than that of said driver element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the spacing between said driver and reflector elements is at least approximately equal to the radius of curvature of said concavely curved driver element surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including shaping means disposed intermediate said driver and reflector elements for shaping the pressure wave pattern in the acoustical field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
Acoustical levitation apparatus for levitating a specimen of a material in a gaseous media comprising: an acoustical driver element; an acoustical reflector element spaced above said driver element in an opposing manner; means operatively connected to said driver element for generating a high-frequency radiation field so as to produce a levitation force between said driver and reflector elements; and a concavely curved surface formed at an end of one of said vibrating or reflecting elements whereby an enhancing levitation force is produced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
Acoustical levitation apparatus for levitating a specimen of a material in a gaseous media comprising: an acoustical driver element; an acoustical reflector element spaced above said driver element in an opposing manner; means operatively connected to said driver element for generating a high-frequency radiation field so as to produce a levitation force between said driver and reflector elements; and a concavely curved surface formed at an end of one of said vibrating or reflecting elements whereby an enhancing levitation force is produced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the spacing between said vibrating and reflecting element is at least approximately equal to the radius of curvature of said concavely curved surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including shaping means disposed intermediate said driving and reflecting elements for shaping the pressure wave pattern in the acoustical field.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for enhancing and shaping levitation force in an acoustical resonance system of the type having an ultrasonic transducer having a driver element for generating a high-frequency standing wave pressure field and a reflector element whereby a levitation force is produced by said pressure field intermediate said driver and reflector elements, said method comprising the steps of forming an outwardly concaved curve surface in the surface of one of said driver and reflector surfaces and spacing said reflector element a predetermined distance above said driver element as a function of the curvature of said surface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for enhancing and shaping levitation force in an acoustical resonance system of the type having an ultrasonic transducer having a driver element for generating a high-frequency standing wave pressure field and a reflector element whereby a levitation force is produced by said pressure field intermediate said driver and reflector elements, said method comprising the steps of forming an outwardly concaved curve surface in the surface of one of said driver and reflector surfaces and spacing said reflector element a predetermined distance above said driver element as a function of the curvature of said surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 including forming a concavely curved surface in both end surfaces of said driver and reflector elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said driver element surface is provided with a smaller curvature than said reflector surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 including spacing said driver and reflector elements a distance approximately equal to the smaller radius of curvature of said curved surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3164022A
Cited
US3882732A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-26 | 1984-02-25 | 1984-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-26 | 1988-02-25 | 1988-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-26 | 1992-02-25 | 1992-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |