Aero-acoustic levitation device and method
First Claim
1. 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. 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.
- 12. 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.
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15. 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.
Specification