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US5096017A
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Aero-acoustic levitation device and method
Assignee: Intersonics Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-05
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic levitator device for suspending a specimen object under the influence of gravity without contact with a solid surface comprising in combination gas levitation means for directing a concentrated flow of gas along an axis upwardly against the object to provide a force to lift a majority weight of the object, and acoustic levitation means for exerting an acoustic positioning force on said object to restrain movement away from said axis and to hold said object in a given position.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Rey
- 👤 Dennis R. Merkley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:32
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/10; F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A levitation device for suspending a specimen object under the influence of gravity without contact with a solid surface comprising in combination gas levitation means for directing a concentrated flow of gas along an axis upwardly against the object to provide a force to lift a majority of the wight of the object, and acoustic levitation means for exerting an acoustic positioning force on said object to restrain movement away from said axis and to hold said object in a given position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A levitation device for suspending a specimen object under the influence of gravity without contact with a solid surface comprising in combination gas levitation means for directing a concentrated flow of gas along an axis upwardly against the object to provide a force to lift a majority of the wight of the object, and acoustic levitation means for exerting an acoustic positioning force on said object to restrain movement away from said axis and to hold said object in a given position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said acoustic levitation means comprises a plurality of interfering sound sources directed at said object on an angle relative to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2, comprising a pair of opposed sound sources operating at the same frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the sound sources have axes of radiation in a common plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the sound sources have axes of radiation in a plurality of planes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 2, comprising three sets of opposed sound sources, each having a separate common axis of radiation, with the axes of the three sets being arranged orthoginally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising means for heating the gas before contact with the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1, additionally comprising detector means for detecting the position of the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic levitation means comprises means for applying a torque to the object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the acoustic levitation means comprises means for changing the position of the object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 additionally comprising means for heating the object.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of levitation of a specimen under the influence of gravity comprising the steps of applying an upward stream of gas on said object sufficient to provide lifting forces for said object, and applying acoustic forces on said object to restrain sideways movement of the object and to hold said object in a given position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of levitation of a specimen under the influence of gravity comprising the steps of applying an upward stream of gas on said object sufficient to provide lifting forces for said object, and applying acoustic forces on said object to restrain sideways movement of the object and to hold said object in a given position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said object is heated and melted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of changing the rate of flow of gas on said object as it becomes melted and liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a levitation apparatus wherein an object is suspended without contact with a container, the improvement comprising, in combination, means for applying acoustic positioning forces on said object, means for heating the object, and means for providing a flow of gas around the object to remove heated gas near the surface of the object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a levitation apparatus wherein an object is suspended without contact with a container, the improvement comprising, in combination, means for applying acoustic positioning forces on said object, means for heating the object, and means for providing a flow of gas around the object to remove heated gas near the surface of the object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |