Patent · US Expired

Floating/melting using dummy micro-gravitational field by magnetic force

US6452140B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by

4References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignees

Japan Science and Technology · JP
Japan as represented by Director General of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry · JP

Inventors

Mitsuhiro Motokawa · Sendai, JP
Kazuo Watanabe · Hino, JP
Satoshi Awaji · Rifu, JP
Iwao Mogi · Sendai, JP
Naoyuki Kitamura · Hirakata, JP
Masaki MAKIHARA · Okazaki, JP

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 14, 2001
Grant date	Sep 17, 2002
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 14, 2021

Classification

Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
CPC primaryC30B30/08
WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A substance 6 is located in a gradient magnetic field and held in a levitating state by a magnetic force produced by the gradient magnetic field. The substance 6 as such in the levitating state is heated and melted by ray or heat irradiation or by a resistance heater. Thereafter, the heating is stopped, and the substance 6 is cooled as such in the levitating state. Since the magnetic force realizes the microgravity field where the substance 6 is melted and cooled in the levitating state, the substance 6 is formed to an ideally spherical shape with an extremely smooth surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.