JP2005288376A - Ultrasonic sterilization/decomposition apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic sterilization/decomposition apparatus capable of utilizing ultrasonic waves irradiating a channel for a liquid for sterilization or decomposition of bacteria or microorganisms with large energy while suppressing an adverse effect on surrounding facilities. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic waves 10 generated from an ultrasonic transducer 3 are converged inside the channel for the liquid 2 by a lens 4. The materials of piping 1 and a filler 6 between the lens 4 and piping 1 are materials having almost the same level of acoustic impedance as the liquid 2. The energy loss of the ultrasonic waves 10 is suppressed as much as possible to be converged, thereby sterilizing or decomposing the bacteria or microorganisms. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides ultrasonic sterilization that enables sterilization of liquid, prevention of clogging in the pipe, or cleaning with a liquid to which ultrasonic vibration is applied by applying ultrasonic vibration in a pipe through which a liquid such as water flows. The present invention relates to a decomposition apparatus.

  Some conventional sterilization treatment apparatuses that apply ultrasonic vibration to a fluid flowing in a pipe irradiate a part of a water pipe with ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic wave transmitter. Drinking water is sterilized by ultrasonic irradiation in the middle of passing through the ultrasonic irradiation region, and is used for drinking from the route. In addition, as a configuration for more effectively destroying bacteria, the water flow path of the water pipe is configured in a crank shape, and the wide width portion of the crank portion is used as an irradiation region, and ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the region. Then, irradiation is performed so as to be perpendicular to the direction of water flow. Thereby, bacteria come to pass the belly of sound pressure, and bacteria can be destroyed effectively (for example, patent document 1).

  In addition, a conventional ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that cleans an object to be cleaned using ultrasonic vibration has a liquid that is smaller than the diameter of the ultrasonic vibrator at the other end with an ultrasonic vibrator attached to one end of the truncated cone cover. A spout is formed and a liquid inlet is provided on the side. The ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic vibrator and passing straight through the liquid jet port and the ultrasonic wave reflected from the inner surface and passing through the liquid jet port are focused outside the liquid jet port, A cleaning liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet to the portion where the ultrasonic wave is focused, and an object to be cleaned is disposed facing the liquid jet port (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-11-262762 Japanese Patent No. 2521730

  In the conventional sterilization treatment apparatus as described above, in order to perform effective sterilization, the irradiated ultrasonic wave requires a certain amount of energy, but in order to irradiate the ultrasonic wave perpendicular to the water flow direction. In addition, the side surface of the pipe is irradiated perpendicularly to the ultrasonic waves, and the pipe may be damaged or deteriorated. Furthermore, in the case where the water flow path of the water pipe is configured to have a crank shape, there is a restriction on the shape, and it cannot be widely applied to ordinary piping.

  In the conventional ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the ultrasonic wave is repeatedly reflected on the wall surface and finally reaches the tip. The wall surface is made of metal or the like, and when ultrasonic waves are reflected from the fluid at the interface of the wall material, for example, in the case of a water / metal interface, the energy attenuation is usually about half. For this reason, since several reflections are indispensable until it reaches | attains a front-end | tip part, there existed a problem that a great energy loss generate | occur | produced.

  The present invention has been made in order to improve the above-described problems. Ultrasonic waves are radiated to a liquid flow path, and the radiated ultrasonic waves have a large energy and are effective for bacteria and microorganisms. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus that can be used for sterilization / decomposition and the like, and can suppress adverse effects of ultrasonic irradiation on piping and surrounding facilities.

  The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention sterilizes / decomposes bacteria, microorganisms and the like by irradiating a liquid flow path with ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic vibrator disposed on the outer periphery of the flow path. And a focusing means for focusing the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer into the flow path.

  The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention sterilizes / decomposes bacteria, microorganisms, etc. by irradiating ultrasonic waves to a liquid flow path, and the liquid is sucked up by a pump, and the liquid suction port An ultrasonic transducer disposed in the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer and a focusing means for focusing the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer into the flow path of the suction port are provided.

  The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention sterilizes / decomposes bacteria, microorganisms, etc. by irradiating a liquid flow path with ultrasonic waves, and the pipe forming the flow path is tapered. And an ultrasonic transducer that covers the periphery of the flow path of the liquid with a gas flow flowing in the same direction as the liquid at a predetermined pressure and irradiates ultrasonic waves from the upstream to the downstream of the flow path. Then, the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer is reflected by the gas flow in the pipe and guided so as to be focused in the vicinity of the tip of the pipe, and the focused ultrasonic wave is guided from the tip with the liquid. To be released.

  In the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention, the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic vibrator disposed on the outer periphery of the flow path is focused and used in the flow path. Bacteria and microorganisms can be effectively sterilized and decomposed with large energy formed. Moreover, since the focused ultrasonic wave has few components irradiated perpendicularly | vertically to piping, the bad influence by ultrasonic irradiation to piping and the surrounding equipment can be suppressed.

  Also, the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention uses the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic vibrator disposed in the vicinity of the liquid suction port so as to be focused in the flow path of the suction port. In addition, an ultrasonic focusing field is formed, and bacteria and microorganisms can be effectively sterilized and decomposed with large energy, and clogging of the suction port can be effectively prevented.

  The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the pipe forming the flow path has a tapered shape, and the ultrasonic wave irradiated downstream from the ultrasonic vibrator is reflected by the gas flow covering the flow path in the pipe. Since it is guided so as to be focused near the pipe tip, it is possible to focus ultrasonic waves with large energy near the pipe tip while suppressing energy loss during reflection, effectively sterilizing and decomposing bacteria, microorganisms, etc. it can.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, a liquid 2 such as water flows in a pipe 1 in the direction of an arrow to form a flow path, and an ultrasonic transducer is provided on the outer periphery of the pipe 1 via a concave lens 4 as a focusing means. 3 is provided, and a filler 6 is provided between the lens 4 and the pipe 1 to constitute an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus.
The ultrasonic wave 10 generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is focused in the flow path by the lens 4 and collected at the focal point 5. At this time, the material of the pipe 1 and the filler 6 between the lens 4 and the pipe 1 are materials having substantially the same acoustic impedance as the flowing liquid 2. For example, when the liquid 2 is water, the pipe 1 or The material of the filler 6 is assumed to have an acoustic impedance of the order of 10 ⁶ Ns / m ³ such as water or polyethylene.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave 10 generated from the ultrasonic transducer 3 is focused in the flow path of the liquid 2 by the lens 4 to form an ultrasonic focusing field. As a result, the liquid 2 is irradiated with a focused ultrasonic wave 10 having a large energy, and the liquid 2 is excited by cavitation and an ultrasonic jet to sterilize and decompose bacteria and microorganisms, or decompose and destroy clogged substances in the pipe. To do. Furthermore, since the bubble can be destroyed in the same manner, deaeration in the liquid 2 can be realized.
Further, as described above, the material of the pipe 1 and the filler 6 between the lens 4 and the pipe 1 are made of a material having an acoustic impedance comparable to that of the liquid 2, so that the liquid 2 The acoustic impedance of the above materials is set to the same level as the acoustic impedance of the liquid 2. Thereby, the energy loss of the ultrasonic wave 10 can be focused as much as possible, and the liquid 2 can be effectively irradiated with the focused ultrasonic wave 10 having a large energy, and sterilization / decomposition of bacteria, microorganisms, and the like can be promoted.

Further, since the focused ultrasonic wave 10 has a small vertical component with respect to the wall surface of the pipe 1, it is possible to prevent adverse effects such as damage to the pipe 1 and surrounding equipment due to irradiation with ultrasonic waves.
In addition, microorganisms attached to and proliferated on the inner wall of the pipe 1 produce a thickening polysaccharide, and the thickening polysaccharide causes the pipe 1 to be clogged. By exciting the ultrasonic jet, the deposits on the inner wall of the pipe 1 as described above can be decomposed and removed.

In the first embodiment, the concave lens 4 is provided in close contact with the ultrasonic transducer 3 as the ultrasonic focusing means. However, the ultrasonic transducer 3 itself has a spherical vibration surface to provide the focusing means. You may have it. Further, the planar ultrasonic transducers may be arranged in a circular shape or a spherical shape so as to focus, and a focusing means may be provided.
Thickening due to microorganisms attached to and proliferated on the inner wall of the pipe when using focused ultrasonic waves with an ultrasonic vibrator with a spherical vibration surface or simply using an ultrasonic vibrator with a flat vibration surface A comparative experiment was conducted in which gelatin solidified by simulating a polysaccharide was placed in water and ultrasonically irradiated onto gelatin under a constant condition of, for example, 3.4 MHz and 23 W. As a result, there was no change when the vibration surface was a flat ultrasonic vibrator, but when focused ultrasonic waves with a spherical vibration vibrator were used, gelatin was instantaneously destroyed. Thus, it was confirmed that clogging of the piping can be efficiently prevented by the focused ultrasonic wave.

  Further, energy loss occurs when the ultrasonic wave 10 passes through different substance interfaces. However, as shown in FIG. 1, when the antireflection film 7 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 1, the ultrasonic wave 10 passes through the interface. Energy loss can be reduced, and the efficiency of sterilization and decomposition is improved. Further, such an antireflection film 7 may be formed not only on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 1 but also on the inside of the pipe 1 as an antireflection coat, or may be installed on all interfaces.

  In addition, when the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus shown in the above embodiment is provided with a plurality of pipes 1 arranged in the vertical direction, sterilization / decomposition treatment of bacteria, microorganisms, and the like can be performed more effectively. Furthermore, it is more effective to dispose the ultrasonic sterilization / disassembly device at a location where the inner diameter of the pipe is particularly thin.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, the lens 4 that is a focusing means in the ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.
As described above, in order to focus the ultrasonic wave 10 emitted from the ultrasonic vibrator 3 locally in the flow path of the liquid 2, the lens 4 is provided in close contact with the ultrasonic vibrator 3. Describes the concept of obtaining the shape of
In FIG. 4, y = y0 is the vibration surface, and vibration is transmitted upward. The focal point is F (0, F) in the figure. In order to focus and strengthen the ultrasonic waves at one point, they gather at one point in the same phase at the same time. Therefore, the time passing through the two sound paths 20 indicated by the dotted arrows in the figure is the same. When the sound velocity in the liquid and the sound velocity in the lens are c1 and c2, respectively, as shown in the figure, the time to reach the focal point F from the vibration plane represented by (x0, y0) in the figure and the vibration plane (x, y0) It is obtained from the fact that the time to pass through (x, y) on the lens surface and reach F is equal.

The concave lens 4 is a lens having a surface shape represented by, for example, x and y satisfying the following expression, where F is the distance to the focal point.
x ² / {F ² * (1-μ) / (1 + μ)} + {yF / (1 + μ)} ² / {F ² / (1 + μ) ² } = 1
However, (μ = sound velocity in liquid / sound velocity in lens)
The lens 4 represented by the above formula is an elliptical aspheric lens. Further, the lens 4 is made of metal, has mechanical strength, and has a feature that a temperature rise is small due to a low energy absorption rate. If the focal length is reduced by using the ultrasonic vibrator 3 having a resonance frequency as high as possible, the focusing effect is improved.

  Prepare an aspherical lens with such an elliptical shape, place the aspherical lens on the ultrasonic transducer on the bottom, and place the aspherical lens on top of it. A comparison experiment was conducted with the use of a spherical lens. As a result, when the spherical lens was used, focusing was poor and the focusing diameter was large, but when the aspherical lens as described above was used, the bulge of the water surface was at one central portion, and the water surface was raised so that a horn would stand up. showed. In this way, it was confirmed that the ultrasonic wave was more focused on one point when the elliptical aspherical lens represented by the above equation was used than when the spherical lens was used.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of an ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, a reflecting plate 9 is disposed on the back side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 in the ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus shown in the first embodiment, and the ultrasonic transducer 3 and the reflecting plate 9 are disposed between them. Filling material 8 is filled. The electrode surface on the back surface side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 is also insulated, and the acoustic impedance is approximately the same as that of the liquid 2, for example, by filling and flowing water or filling a lens-like metal as the filler 8. Use the material you have.

The ultrasonic vibrator 3 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves from both surfaces of the electrode, but the energy transmittance from the vibration surface to the atmosphere is close to zero. For this reason, as described above, the reflector 9 is provided on the back side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 via the filler 8 so as to reduce the energy loss of the ultrasonic wave 10a emitted from the back side, and is emitted from the back side. The ultrasonic wave 10 a is reflected by the reflecting plate 9 and focused in the flow path of the liquid 2.
Thereby, the ultrasonic wave 10a emitted from the back surface side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 is also focused and effectively used in the flow path, and the liquid 2 can be effectively irradiated with the focused ultrasonic waves 10 and 10a having a larger energy, It can further promote sterilization and decomposition of bacteria and microorganisms.

The focused ultrasonic wave 10 (10a) diffuses after passing through the focal point 5, but as shown in FIG. 4, the second reflecting plate is located at a position facing the ultrasonic transducer 3 on the outer periphery of the pipe 1. 11, the ultrasonic wave diffused after passing through the focal point 5 can be used by being focused again on the focal point 5 by using the reflector 11. Thereby, ultrasonic waves can be used more efficiently, and sterilization and decomposition of bacteria, microorganisms, etc. can be further promoted. In FIG. 4, the components 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9 of the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus shown in FIG. Although illustration is omitted, in this case as well, the inside of the reflector 11 is filled with a material having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of the liquid 2 between the pipe 1 and the energy loss of the ultrasonic wave 10 is reduced. To be. Further, the reflecting plate 11 may be disposed in the wall surface of the pipe 1.
Furthermore, the configuration of FIG. 4 in which the ultrasonic wave that has passed through the focal point 5 is refocused using the reflecting plate 11 and used can be similarly applied to the case of the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the third embodiment, the reflector 9 is disposed on the back side of the ultrasonic transducer 3 and the ultrasonic wave 10a emitted from the back side is also effectively used. The ultrasonic wave 10 a is focused at a position different from the focal point 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, the surface shape of the reflecting plate 9 a is configured, for example, in a parabolic shape so that the focal point 5 a is shifted downward by a predetermined distance from the focal point 5. Thereby, the processing range of the sterilization / decomposition process by the focused ultrasonic waves 10 and 10a can be expanded, and an efficient sterilization / decomposition process can be performed.

  The shape of the reflecting plate 9a may be variable by electronic control or the like. In that case, the position of the focal point 5a can be scanned by changing the shape of the reflecting plate 9a. Thereby, the processing range of the sterilization / decomposition process by the focused ultrasonic waves 10, 10a can be further expanded, and a more efficient sterilization / decomposition process can be performed.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 3 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the pipe 1, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer periphery of the pipe 1 is covered with a predetermined width, for example, The ultrasonic vibrator 12 having a rotating body shape obtained by rotating an ultrasonic vibrator having a spherical irradiation surface around the pipe 1 is used. Alternatively, a lens having a rotating body shape may be provided. As a result, the electrode area of the ultrasonic transducer 12 increases, the focused ultrasonic wave 10 can be applied to the liquid 2 with greater energy, and cavitation and ultrasonic jets are excited on the liquid 2 to effectively eliminate bacteria, microorganisms, and the like. Sterilize and decompose. With the ultrasonic vibrator 12 having such a structure, even a hardly-decomposable object can be easily decomposed.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
An example in which the ultrasonic energy radiated from the back surface of the ultrasonic transducer 3 is effectively used will be described below.
The pipes 1 are arranged in parallel to the vibration surfaces on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 3, and the concave lens 4 and the filler 6 are disposed on the vibration surfaces on both sides of the ultrasonic transducer 1, respectively. Thereby, the single ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 3 can irradiate the focused ultrasonic wave 10 with respect to the liquid 2 in the flow path which exists in the both sides, and can sterilize and decompose efficiently.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
In each of the above embodiments, the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer 3 is focused. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the ultrasonic wave 10b irradiated in the vertical direction is reflected by the third reflecting plate 11a as the focusing means and focused in the flow path. The reflecting plate 11a is disposed at a position facing the ultrasonic transducer 3 on the outer periphery of the flow path, and is provided in the wall surface of the pipe 1 in FIG.
Also in this embodiment, since the ultrasonic wave 10b generated from the ultrasonic vibrator 3 is focused in the flow path of the liquid 2 and the liquid 2 can be irradiated with a focused ultrasonic wave having a large energy, the first embodiment described above. Similarly to the above, the liquid 2 can be excited by cavitation or an ultrasonic jet to sterilize and decompose bacteria, microorganisms, etc., and decompose and destroy clogging substances in the pipe.

  The reflecting plate 11a may be provided on the outer periphery of the pipe 1, and in that case, the inside of the reflecting plate 11a is filled with a material having substantially the same acoustic impedance as the liquid 2 between the reflecting plate 11a. The energy loss of the ultrasonic wave 10 is reduced. It is assumed that the material of the pipe 1 is also made of a material having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of the liquid 2.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
Next, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus used when the liquid 2 is sucked into the pipe 1 by a pump will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid 2 is sucked up in the pipe 1 in the direction of the arrow, and an ultrasonic transducer 3a provided with a focusing means so as to form a focal point 5b inside an inlet (suction port) for sucking the liquid 2 And irradiate focused ultrasound. Although it is effective to arrange the ultrasonic transducer 3a immediately below the suction port, the ultrasonic transducer 3a may be located in the vicinity of the suction port.

  At the tip of the pipe 1 that is the pump suction port, the thickening polysaccharides produced by microorganisms that live in the pipe 1 are likely to be clogged, which hinders pump suction. The clogging substance 19 can be decomposed and removed by irradiating focused ultrasonic waves into the flow path of the suction port by the ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus. Further, bacteria and microorganisms that cause the clogging substance 19 can be sterilized and decomposed.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
Next, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, an ultrasonic vibrator 3 b having a focusing means, for example, having a spherical vibration surface, is provided on the outer periphery of the pipe 1, and a filler 6 (not shown) is provided between the pipe 1 and the pipe 1. Further, for example, a detection ultrasonic transducer 21 and a sensing unit 22 are provided as foreign matter detection means for detecting foreign matter in the flow path of the liquid 2 and attached matter on the inner wall of the pipe 1. The ultrasonic transducer for detection 21 is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the pipe 1 upstream from the ultrasonic transducer 3b. Furthermore, the control part 23 connected to the sensing part 22 is provided, and ultrasonic irradiation from the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 3b is controlled.

  In this embodiment, when a foreign substance 19a such as a clogging substance is detected by the detection ultrasonic transducer 21 and the sensing unit 22, the ultrasonic transducer is irradiated with the focused ultrasonic wave 10 based on the information. The ultrasonic irradiation from 3b is controlled. Thereby, the foreign material 19a can be effectively decomposed.

  If the focal position, the focal diameter, or the irradiation angle of the focused ultrasonic wave 10 to be focused is changed so that the focal position can be adjusted, the detection information from the ultrasonic transducer for detection 21 and the sensing unit 22 is used as the basis. In addition, the control unit 23 also controls the focusing position of the ultrasonic irradiation, so that the foreign matter 19a can be reliably decomposed. Further, by appropriately setting the position where the foreign substance detection position by the ultrasonic transducer 21 for detection and the position of the ultrasonic transducer 3b are set, the adhered matter on the inner wall of the pipe 1 is detected and focused on the adhered matter. The sound wave 10 can also be irradiated.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where an ultrasonic transducer 3c having a variable focal length and focusing diameter is used. As shown in the figure, the ultrasonic transducer 3c has a structure in which a plurality of flat plate transducers are connected, and the irradiation surface has a fan-shaped side surface, and the focal length changes as the shape of the irradiation surface changes. . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the ultrasonic wave 10 is usually focused on the central focal point 5 in the flow path, but as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the focal point at the end in the flow path. The ultrasonic wave 10 can be controlled to be focused on 5c.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
Next, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus is configured to be movable along the pipe 1. Here, a moving body 24 composed of a cylindrical tube having a predetermined width that moves in close contact with the periphery of the pipe 1 is formed, and a rail 25 is arranged so as to be movable along the pipe 1. The ultrasonic vibrator 3 is disposed through the filler 6 and the lens 4. The moving body 24 is made of a material having substantially the same acoustic impedance as the liquid 2.

In this embodiment, since the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus is configured to be movable along the pipe 1, the processing range of the sterilization / decomposition process using the focused ultrasonic wave 10 can be extended to the entire piping in the movement range.
Further, when the moving object 24 is moved so as to irradiate the focused ultrasonic wave 10 to the detected foreign object with the foreign object detecting means shown in the ninth embodiment, the focused ultrasonic wave 10 is irradiated more effectively. be able to.
In addition, the moving body 24 shown in FIG. 11 is only moved up and down, but if it can be moved not only vertically but also rotationally, the processing range of the sterilization / decomposition processing by the focused ultrasonic wave 10 can be further effectively widened. Can do.

Embodiment 11 FIG.
Next, an ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the pipe 14 forming the flow path is tapered, and the periphery of the flow path of the liquid 2 in the pipe 14 is covered with a gas flow 15 flowing in the same direction as the liquid 2 at a predetermined pressure. The ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 13 which irradiates an ultrasonic wave from the upstream to the downstream direction is provided. The ultrasonic transducer 13 is configured by using one or a plurality of planar transducers. As the gas flow 15, air, nitrogen gas, or the like flows as a high pressure jet flow like an air curtain. Then, the ultrasonic wave 17 irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer 13 is reflected by the gas flow 15 in the pipe 14 so as to be focused near the tip 16 of the pipe 14, and this focused ultrasonic wave together with the liquid 2 is guided to the tip 16. To release from.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave 17 has a structure in which it is repeatedly reflected by the gas flow 15 inside the pipe wall surface and finally reaches the tip portion. Since almost no loss occurs, energy loss during reflection can be suppressed and the ultrasonic wave 17 can be focused with large energy, and bacteria, microorganisms, and the like can be effectively sterilized and decomposed.
This makes it possible to effectively sterilize and decompose bacteria, microorganisms, etc. adhering to the liquid 2 and the pipe tip 16 or by emitting focused ultrasound from the tip 16 together with the liquid 2 to the object to be cleaned. The surface of the object to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned.

  In each of the above embodiments, the liquid 2 is sterilized and decomposed using only ultrasonic waves. However, in a reaction field where cavitation or jet flow is generated by ultrasonic waves, a reaction field generated by high voltage pulses or high-power light pulses. These synergistic effects create a more effective reaction field and enable more efficient decomposition and sterilization.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the focusing of the ultrasonic wave by the lens by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by another example of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus by Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by Embodiment 9 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by another example of Embodiment 9 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus by Embodiment 10 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ultrasonic sterilization decomposition | disassembly apparatus by Embodiment 11 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 piping, 2 liquid, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c ultrasonic vibrator,
4 Lens as focusing means, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Focus, 6, 8 Filler,
9, 9a Reflector 10, 10a Ultrasound (focused ultrasound), 10b Ultrasound,
11 Second reflector, 11a Third reflector as focusing means, 12 Ultrasonic vibrator,
13 ultrasonic transducer, 14 piping, 15 gas flow, 16 piping tip, 17 ultrasonic,
21. Ultrasonic transducer for detection as foreign matter detection means, 22 sensing unit, 23 control unit,
24 Mobile body.

Claims (13)

In an ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus for sterilizing and decomposing bacteria, microorganisms, etc. by irradiating a liquid flow path with ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic vibrator disposed on the outer periphery of the flow path, and an ultrasonic vibrator An ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus comprising a focusing means for focusing an irradiated ultrasonic wave in a flow path. The space between the ultrasonic transducer and the liquid flow path to which the ultrasonic wave is irradiated is made of a material having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to the acoustic impedance of the liquid. Ultrasonic sterilization decomposition equipment. 3. The focusing means comprises a concave lens disposed in close contact with the vibration surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and the concave lens is an aspherical lens having an elliptical surface. The ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus as described. A reflecting plate is disposed on the back side of the ultrasonic transducer, and the material between the ultrasonic transducer and the reflecting plate is made of a material having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to the acoustic impedance of the liquid, The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic wave emitted from the back side of the ultrasonic transducer is reflected by the reflecting plate and focused in the flow path. . A second reflecting plate is disposed at a position facing the ultrasonic transducer on the outer periphery of the flow path, and the acoustic impedance of the liquid is substantially between the flow path and the second reflecting plate. It is made of a material having the same acoustic impedance, and after the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer is once focused, it is reflected by the second reflecting plate and focused again in the channel. The ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A third reflecting plate is disposed as the converging means at a position facing the ultrasonic transducer on the outer periphery of the channel, and the liquid is between the channel and the third reflecting plate. It is made of a material having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to the acoustic impedance, and the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic transducer in the direction perpendicular to the flow path is reflected by the third reflector and the flow is The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus is focused in a road. The ultrasonic sterilization and decomposition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is disposed so as to cover an outer periphery of the flow path with a predetermined width. The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is movable along an outer periphery of the flow path of the liquid. In the ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus that sterilizes and decomposes bacteria, microorganisms, etc. by irradiating the liquid flow path with ultrasonic waves, the liquid is sucked up by a pump, and the ultrasonic vibration disposed near the liquid suction port. An ultrasonic sterilizing and decomposing apparatus comprising a child and a focusing means for focusing the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic vibrator in the flow path of the suction port. Sterilizing / decomposing bacteria, microorganisms, etc. in the liquid, or sterilizing / decomposing and removing deposits in the pipe forming the liquid flow path by focused ultrasonic waves focused by the focusing means. The ultrasonic sterilization decomposition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. The ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the focal position can be adjusted by changing a focal length, a focal diameter, or an irradiation angle of the focused ultrasonic wave focused by the focusing means. 12. A foreign matter detection means for detecting foreign matter in the liquid flow path or deposits in the pipe, and adjusting a focusing position of the focused ultrasonic wave based on the foreign matter detection information. Ultrasonic sterilization decomposition equipment. In an ultrasonic sterilization / decomposition apparatus that sterilizes and decomposes bacteria, microorganisms, etc. by irradiating a liquid flow path with ultrasonic waves, the pipe forming the flow path is tapered, and the periphery of the liquid flow path is within the pipe. Is provided with an ultrasonic transducer that irradiates ultrasonic waves from the upstream to the downstream of the flow path with a gas flow that flows in the same direction as the liquid at a predetermined pressure. An ultrasonic sterilizing and decomposing apparatus characterized in that sound waves are reflected by the gas flow in the pipe and focused so as to be focused near the tip of the pipe, and the focused ultrasonic wave is emitted from the tip together with the liquid. .

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