Gemstone alignment
AssigneeDe Beers Centenary AG
InventorsJames G. C. Smith, Graham R. Powell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for aligning a gemstone such as diamond (106) with a predetermined vertical axis (108) is described. The apparatus includes an upwardly extending nozzle (105) aligned with the vertical axis (108) and sized to allow the gemstone (106) to settle into it under the action of gravity so that the article is supported by the aperture. A fluid supply system supplies fluid to the nozzle (105) under sufficient pressure to support the article within or above the aperture. A fluid pressure control system controls the pressure of fluid supplied to the nozzle (105), so that it can be reduced gradually.
Claims31
An apparatus for aligning an article with a predetermined vertical axis, comprising:
- a nozzle, extending upwardly and aligned with the vertical axis in use and configured to allow the article to settle in an upper side thereof under the action of gravity so that the article is supported by the nozzle at a point of minimum potential energy;
- and
- a fluid supply system for supplying fluid to the nozzle under sufficient pressure to support the article within or above the nozzle, the fluid supply system including a fluid pressure control system for controlling the pressure of fluid supplied to the nozzle,
- wherein the fluid pressure control system is arranged to reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the nozzle to a predetermined pressure which is not sufficient to support the article within or above the nozzle gradually over a finite period of time, allowing the article to settle gradually into the nozzle at the point of minimum potential energy.
A method of aligning an article with a vertical axis, comprising:
- providing an apparatus having,
- a nozzle, extending upwardly and aligned with the vertical axis in use and configured to allow the article to settle in an upper side thereof under the action of gravity so that the article is supported by the nozzle at a point of minimum potential energy;
- and
- a fluid supply system for supplying fluid to the nozzle under sufficient pressure to support the article within or above the nozzle, the fluid supply system including a fluid pressure control system for controlling the pressure of fluid supplied to the nozzle,
- wherein the fluid pressure control system is arranged to reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the nozzle to a predetermined pressure which is not sufficient to support the article within or above the nozzle gradually over a finite period of time, allowing the article to settle gradually into the nozzle at the point of minimum potential energy;
- placing the article in the upwardly extending nozzle aligned with the vertical axis;
- supplying fluid under pressure to the nozzle;
- supporting the article on a fluid cushion within or above the nozzle;
- and
- gradually reducing the pressure of the fluid over a finite period of time so as to allow the article to settle in the nozzle under gravity so that it is supported by the nozzle at a point of minimum potential energy.
A method of leveling a top surface of an article, comprising:
- providing an apparatus having,
- a nozzle, extending upwardly and aligned with the vertical axis in use and configured to allow the article to settle in an upper side thereof under the action of gravity so that the article is supported by the nozzle at a point of minimum potential energy;
- and
- a fluid supply system for supplying fluid to the nozzle under sufficient pressure to support the article within or above the nozzle, the fluid supply system including a fluid pressure control system for controlling the pressure of fluid supplied to the nozzle,
- wherein the fluid pressure control system is arranged to reduce the fluid pressure supplied to the nozzle to a predetermined pressure which is not sufficient to support the article within or above the nozzle gradually over a finite period of time, allowing the article to settle gradually into the nozzle at the point of minimum potential energy;
- placing the article in the upwardly extending nozzle;
- supplying fluid under pressure to the nozzle;
- supporting the article on a fluid cushion within or above the nozzle;
- and
- gradually reducing the pressure of the fluid over a finite period of time so as to allow the article to settle in the nozzle under gravity so that it is supported by the nozzle with its too surface level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.