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SYSTEM FOR CREATING MOVEMENT USING A HEAT SOURCE AND CONTROLLED BY SURFACE TENSION EFFECTS

  • US 20170363281A1
  • Filed: 06/14/2017
  • Published: 12/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device for steering toward a central area a heat source that floats on a liquid and is repelled away from an outer region of the liquid, the device compromising:

  • an outer object, at least one heat-source container configured to float on the surface of a liquid, at least one structure connected to the heat-source container;

    the outer object configured to create, through surface tension, a first meniscus on the liquid surface along at least one wall of the outer object;

    the heat-source container configured to create, through surface tension, a second meniscus on the liquid surface along the outer perimeter of the heat-source container wherein the curvature of the second meniscus opposes the curvature of the first meniscus in order to create resistance that inhibits the heat-source container from moving horizontally toward the outer object;

    the structure connected to the heat-source container configured to allow a heat source to be placed beneath part of the structure wherein the structure generates a horizontal force as heat rises from the heat source and creates a vertical thermal air flow that impinges on the structure and causes the thermal air flow to be redirected to a partially horizontal thermal air flow that generates the horizontal force that causes the floating part to move.

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