Appeal No. 2000-0196
Application 08/796,478
bottomed body is maintained in a levitated condition by the
acoustic pressure produced by an ultrasonic generator. The
generator produces so-called “in-phase” acoustic radiation,
wherein the wavefronts extend in parallel with the “means for
vibrating” (radiating surface) of the ultrasonic generator,
owing to longitudinal vibration of the generator which in turn
drives (vibrates) the radiating surface. The system does not
employ any sort of radiation reflector, and therefore the
levitating position of the levitating body is not dependent
upon the creation of a nodal interference pattern with
reflected wavefronts. The system of the invention is most
advantageously used as a transport system, where a series of
generators are used to create a “levitational roadway” for the
transported bodies. Motive force for transport can also be
provided by external means such as air moves, or by a
deflected portion of the original ultrasonic energy. A
further understanding of the invention can be achieved by
reading the following claim.
Claim 1 reads as follows:1
Amendment G, filed June 9, 1998, after the final rejection (Paper No.1
(continued...)
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007