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Non-contact transportation using near-field acoustic levitation
1Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan. sueha@pi.titech.ac.jp
Ultrasonics
|June 1, 2000
Summary
Near-field acoustic levitation can stably levitate objects up to 10 kg using a vibrating plate. This technology is successfully applied to non-contact object transportation and ultrasonic motors.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Materials Science
- Robotics
Background:
- Near-field acoustic levitation enables stable levitation of planar objects.
- This phenomenon has potential applications in non-contact manipulation and actuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the application of near-field acoustic levitation for non-contact object transportation.
- To develop and characterize a non-contact ultrasonic motor based on this principle.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of transporting apparatuses utilizing near-field acoustic levitation.
- Construction and testing of an ultrasonic motor based on the same principle.
- Theoretical description of near-field acoustic levitation for piston-like and flexural vibration sources.
Main Results:
- Successful stable levitation of planar objects weighing up to 10 kg was achieved.
- Transporting apparatuses and an ultrasonic motor were fabricated and their performance was measured.
- The theoretical framework for near-field acoustic levitation was briefly outlined.
Conclusions:
- Near-field acoustic levitation is a viable technology for non-contact object transportation.
- The developed ultrasonic motor demonstrates the practical application of acoustic levitation for actuation.
- Further theoretical and experimental investigations can expand the capabilities of this technology.