US4573356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single transducer levitator
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1984-07-03
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2004-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A method is described for using acoustic waves to hold an object in position against wandering in any direction, by the use of a single transducer. Formulas are provided for levitating an object along an axis of a rectangular or cylindrical chamber or the center of a spherical chamber. The formulas take into account the relative volume of the object to the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin B. Barmatz
- 👤 James L. Allen
- 👤 Mark S. Gaspar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for levitating an object within a fluid-filled chamber formed by walls that form a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having lengths X, Y, and Z, where the object is to be levitated substantially along an axis X' that extends along the center of the chamber in the X direction, and where the object is denser than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L n21 given by the following equation: ##EQU18## where n is a positive integer that is between 2 and 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for levitating an object within a fluid-filled chamber formed by walls that form a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having lengths X, Y, and Z, where the object is to be levitated substantially along an axis X' that extends along the center of the chamber in the X direction, and where the object is denser than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L n21 given by the following equation: ##EQU18## where n is a positive integer that is between 2 and 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: said step of applying acoustic energy includes coupling a transducer which produces said energy, to a corner of the chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: said step of applying acoustic energy includes coupling a transducer which produces said energy, to the center of one of the four sides of the chamber through which the X' axis does not pass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: the wavelength of acoustic energy is within about 1% of the value L 221 given by the following equation: ##EQU19## whereby to levitate at the center of the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: said walls form a cubic chamber in which all chamber dimensions X, Y, and Z are equal, and wherein ##EQU20##
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein: n equals 3, wherein to enable levitation at locations spaced by X/3 from opposite end walls.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially in the center of a chamber of rectangular cross-section having dimensions X, Y, and Z, which is filled with a fluid, where the sample is denser than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L 221 where L 221 is substantially as given by the following equation: ##EQU21## where V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the sample to the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially in the center of a chamber of rectangular cross-section having dimensions X, Y, and Z, which is filled with a fluid, where the sample is denser than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L 221 where L 221 is substantially as given by the following equation: ##EQU21## where V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the sample to the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at any of n points along the axis, where the chamber is filled with fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU22## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer of 1 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at any of n points along the axis, where the chamber is filled with fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU22## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer of 1 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 8 wherein: n=1 and the wavelength is given by the following equation: ##EQU23## whereby to levitate the object at the center of the chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 9 wherein: the length of the chamber equals twice its radius, n equals 1, and the wavelength is given by the following equation: ##EQU24##
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method described in claim 8 wherein: n equals 2 and the wavelength is given by the equation: ##EQU25## whereby to provide two levitation locations where the object can be levitated, with each location spaced a distance l/4 from an end wall of the chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method described in claim 8 wherein: said step of applying acoustic energy includes coupling a transducer to the middle of an end wall of said chamber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at any one of n-1 points along the axis, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the sample has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 10n given by the following equation: ##EQU26## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length the chamber, n is a positive integer equal to 2 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c if the volume of the chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at any one of n-1 points along the axis, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the sample has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 10n given by the following equation: ##EQU26## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length the chamber, n is a positive integer equal to 2 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c if the volume of the chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 12 wherein: n=2 and the wavelength is given by the following equation: ##EQU27## whereby to levitate the object at the center of the chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method described in claim 14 wherein: the length of the chamber equals twice its radius, n equals 2, and the wavelength is given by the following equation: ##EQU28##
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method described in claim 13 wherein: n equals 3 and the wavelength is given by the equation: ##EQU29## whereby to provide two levitation locations where the object can be levitated, with each location spaced a distance l/3 from an end wall of the chamber and from each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method described in claim 13 wherein: said step of applying acoustic energy includes coupling a transducer to the intersection between an end wall and a side wall of the chamber.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at a location halfway between the opposite end walls of the chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to substantially the intersection between an end wall and the sidewall of the chamber of a wavelength L given by the following equation: ##EQU30## where a is the radius of the chamber, l is the length of the chamber, V s is the volume of the object and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber at a location halfway between the opposite end walls of the chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to substantially the intersection between an end wall and the sidewall of the chamber of a wavelength L given by the following equation: ##EQU30## where a is the radius of the chamber, l is the length of the chamber, V s is the volume of the object and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for levitating an object substantially at the center of a spherical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L approximately as given by the equation: ##EQU31## where a is the radius of the sphere, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for levitating an object substantially at the center of a spherical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L approximately as given by the equation: ##EQU31## where a is the radius of the sphere, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for urging an object toward the axis of a chamber of cylindrical cross-section where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L given by the equation ##EQU32## where a is the radius of the cylindrical cross-section, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for urging an object toward the axis of a chamber of cylindrical cross-section where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a greater density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength L given by the equation ##EQU32## where a is the radius of the cylindrical cross-section, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for levitating an object within a fluid-filled chamber formed by walls that form a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having lengths X, Y and Z, where the object is to be levitated substantally along an axis X' that extends along the center of the chamber in the X direction, and where the object is of lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength given by the following equation: ##EQU33## where n is a positive integer that is between 2 and 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for levitating an object within a fluid-filled chamber formed by walls that form a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having lengths X, Y and Z, where the object is to be levitated substantally along an axis X' that extends along the center of the chamber in the X direction, and where the object is of lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength given by the following equation: ##EQU33## where n is a positive integer that is between 2 and 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method described in claim 21 wherein: said object has a volume V s less than 20% of the volume of the chamber and the wavelength of acoustic energy is given by the following equation: ##EQU34## whereby to levitate at the center of the chamber.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU35## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer of 2 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for levitating an object substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU35## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer of 2 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method described in claim 23 wherein: said object has a volume V s which is less than 20% of the volume V c of the chamber, n equals 2, and the wavelength of the acoustic energy is given by the equation: ##EQU36## whereby to levitate the object halfway between the end walls of the chamber.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the sample has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L given by the following equation: ##EQU37## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer equal to 1 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for levitating a sample substantially along the axis of a cylindrical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the sample has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy to said chamber of a wavelength L given by the following equation: ##EQU37## where a is the radius of the cylindrical chamber, l is the length of the chamber, n is a positive integer equal to 1 or more, V s is the volume of the sample, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method described in claim 25 wherein: said sample has a volume V s which is less than 20% of the volume V c of the chamber, n equals 1, and the wavelength of the acoustic energy is given by the equation: ##EQU38## whereby to levitate the object halfway between the end walls of the chamber.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for levitating an object substantially at the center of a spherical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength, approximately as given by the equation ##EQU39## where a is the radius of the sphere, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for levitating an object substantially at the center of a spherical chamber, where the chamber is filled with a fluid and the object has a lesser density than the fluid and occupies less than 20% of the volume of the chamber, comprising: applying acoustic energy of a wavelength, approximately as given by the equation ##EQU39## where a is the radius of the sphere, V s is the volume of the object, and V c is the volume of the chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: six walls forming a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having dimensions of length X, Y and Z, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, wherein the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to said chamber, for generating acoustic energy of a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L n21 given by the following equation: ##EQU40## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 2 to 8 and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along an axis X' that extends along the X dimension of the chamber through the middle of opposite walls of the chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: six walls forming a chamber of rectangular cross-sections having dimensions of length X, Y and Z, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, wherein the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to said chamber, for generating acoustic energy of a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L n21 given by the following equation: ##EQU40## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 2 to 8 and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along an axis X' that extends along the X dimension of the chamber through the middle of opposite walls of the chamber.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus described in claim 28 wherein: said transducer is coupled to a corner of said chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus described in claim 28 wherein: said transducer is coupled to a center of a wall of said chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: walls forming a cylindrical chamber having a length l and radius a, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, where the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to the middle of an end wall of the chamber, for generating a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU41## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 1 to 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along the axis of the chamber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: walls forming a cylindrical chamber having a length l and radius a, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, where the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to the middle of an end wall of the chamber, for generating a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L 01n given by the following equation: ##EQU41## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 1 to 8, and V s /V c is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along the axis of the chamber.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: walls forming a cylindrical chamber having a length l and radius a, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, where the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to the intersection of the side wall and an end wall of the chamber, for generating a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L 10n given by the following equation: ##EQU42## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 2 to 8, and (V s /V c ) is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along the axis of the chamber.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for levitating an object of a volume V s comprising: walls forming a cylindrical chamber having a length l and radius a, wherein the volume of the chamber is more than 5 times the volume V s of the object; a quantity of fluid filling said chamber, where the object has a greater density than the fluid; acoustic transducer means coupled to the intersection of the side wall and an end wall of the chamber, for generating a wavelength which is approximately equal to the wavelength L 10n given by the following equation: ##EQU42## where n is a positive integer that is in the range of 2 to 8, and (V s /V c ) is the ratio of the volume V s of the object and the volume V c of the chamber, whereby to levitate the object substantially along the axis of the chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |