KR102159856B1 - Ultrasonic device having large radiating area - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powered ultrasonic device for fluid processing. The ultrasonic resonator comprises: an excitation section section having a longitudinal axis, the excitation section section dimensioned to resonate in a direction along the longitudinal axis when the excitation section section is energized by high frequency vibration; And a radiating section section that has a connecting stub and is coupled to the excitation section through the connecting stub, comprising a radiating section section, configured to receive vibrations from the excitation section and transmit such vibrations as acoustic waves, the axis of the excitation section The directional length is shorter than the half-wavelength, and the connecting stub completes the half-wavelength when the ultrasonic resonator is coupled to the excited section to be resonantly operated at the design frequency. The radiating section comprises a radiating section body having at least three sides for providing a plurality of exterior radiating surfaces, and two opposite sides having a plurality of orifices formed therein, the walls of the orifices providing a plurality of interior radiating surfaces. And the inner and outer surfaces are configured to transmit vibrations as acoustic waves.

Description

Ultrasonic device with large radiation area{ULTRASONIC DEVICE HAVING LARGE RADIATING AREA}

The present invention belongs to the technical field of power ultrasound, more particularly in the technical field of power ultrasound devices for fluid processing.

Power ultrasound devices include active components that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The vibrational output of the active component is transferred to a resonant structure (also referred to as a horn, radiator, or resonator) that transfers acoustic energy to the process fluid. The transfer of electrical energy to the electro-mechanical device is produced by a power source designed to deliver a voltage close to the resonant frequency of the powered ultrasonic device. Such ultrasonic devices, such as longitudinally vibrating horns, radially vibrating horns, and the like, typically have a small radiant surface area relative to their structural mass. Such devices concentrate large intensity acoustic energy on a very small surface area, creating an effective area confined to a very small volume near the tip of the device. Using such devices in fluid processes such as disinfection, agglomeration, degassing, degassing, chemical reactions, catalysis, emulsification, deagglomeration, etc., requires that the ultrasonically-assisted continuous process be limited to flow rates as small as several liters per minute or It may be required that the ultrasonically-assisted batch process be carried out with small volumes of several liters and/or long processing times of minutes to hours. Typically, increasing the ultrasonic intensity or ultrasonic energy density by increasing the electrical energy supply to the ultrasonic device can result in improved processing time and flow rate. However, there is an upper limit at which additional electrical energy increases no longer produce useful acoustic energy, due to the initiation of a “bubble shielding” regime at large vibration amplitudes, such devices as small radiant radiation. Due to its surface area, the "bubble shielding" regime occurs at relatively small input power levels, thus large-flow or large-volume ultrasonic-assisted fluid processing applications are not limited to the ultrasonic intensity or ultrasonic energy density required in the process. It may require the use of a plurality of ultrasonic horns, transducers, and power sources in order to deliver the power source, and the use of multiple devices and their auxiliary devices to match the required process flow and volume increases capital and operating costs. The new powered ultrasonic device attempts to overcome the above-mentioned limitations by increasing the radiant surface area, however, an increase in the oscillating surface area typically entails a corresponding increase in the structural mass of the device, thus bringing the device to the desired oscillation amplitude. More electrical power is required to resonate.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic resonator is provided, such an ultrasonic resonator:

An exciter section having a longitudinal axis, the excitation section dimensioned to resonate in a direction along the longitudinal axis when the excitation section is energized with high-frequency vibrations; And

A radiation section section having a connection stub and coupled to the excitation section through the connection stub, the radiation section section configured to receive vibrations from the excitation section and transmit such vibrations as acoustic waves,

The axial length of the excitation section is shorter than the half-wavelength,

The connecting stub completes the half-wavelength when the ultrasonic resonator is coupled to the excited section to be resonantly operated at the design frequency.

According to one embodiment of the first aspect, the radiating section comprises a radiating section body having at least three sides for providing a plurality of external radiating surfaces, and two opposite faces having a plurality of orifices formed therein. And the wall of the orifice is configured to provide a plurality of inner radiating surfaces, and

The inner and outer surfaces are configured to transmit vibrations as acoustic waves.

According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the orifices are arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and the orifices of each orifice level, other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice, are centered around the single orifice and are subjected to an increase in orifice level. Are arranged with increasing radial distance from a single orifice accordingly.

According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of adjacent orifice level.

According to one embodiment of the first aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of the adjacent orifice level, other than a single orifice of the primary orifice level.

According to one embodiment of the first aspect, at least a portion of the orifice has a depth that extends partially through the thickness of the radiating portion body.

According to one embodiment of the first aspect, at least a portion of the orifice has a depth that extends fully through the thickness of the radiator body.

According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the excitation section includes an electrochemical energy conversion device configured to generate vibrations.

According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the excitation section is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross section of variable diameter.

According to one embodiment of the first aspect, the excitation section is arranged in the nodal region of the vibration, and when mounting the ultrasonic resonator into a pipe or tank, the excitation section of the active electricity, such as a piezoelectric element or a magneto-resistance element And a mounting flange dimensioned to prevent wetting of the mechanical elements.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic radiation section is provided, such an ultrasonic radiation section:

A radiation body having an array of orifices, each member of such an array comprising a plurality of orifices arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and an orifice of each orifice level other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice They are centered around a single orifice and are arranged at an increasing radial distance from the single orifice with increasing orifice level.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the number of orifices in the primary orifice level is equal to the number of array members.

According to one embodiment of the second aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of adjacent orifice level.

According to one embodiment of the second aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of adjacent orifice levels, other than a single orifice of the primary orifice level.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic resonator is provided, such an ultrasonic resonator:

An intermediate section configured to be connected to the external excitation and having a longitudinal axis, the intermediate section dimensioned to resonate in a direction along the longitudinal axis when the intermediate section is energized by high-frequency vibrations from the external excitation;

A radiating section section having a connecting stub and coupled to the intermediate section through the connecting stub, the radiating section section configured to receive vibrations from the intermediate section and transmit such vibrations as acoustic waves,

The axial length of the middle section is shorter than the half-wavelength,

The connecting stub completes the half-wavelength when the ultrasonic resonator is coupled to the middle section to be resonantly operated at the design frequency.

According to one embodiment of the third aspect, the radiating section comprises a radiating section body having at least three sides for providing a plurality of exterior radiating surfaces, and two opposite sides having a plurality of orifices formed therein, , The wall of the orifice is configured to provide a plurality of inner radiating surfaces, and

The inner and outer surfaces are configured to transmit vibrations as acoustic waves.

According to one embodiment of the third aspect, the orifices are arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and the orifices of each orifice level, other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice, are centered around the single orifice and are subjected to an increase in the orifice level. Are arranged with increasing radial distance from a single orifice accordingly.

According to one embodiment of the third aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of adjacent orifice level.

According to one embodiment of the third aspect, the radiating part body has a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of the orifices of adjacent orifice levels, other than a single orifice of the primary orifice level.

The invention is described by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which reference notes refer to like elements.
1 shows a front view of an embodiment including an excitation section coupled to a radiating section.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the same embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the direction of vibration at the interface between the excitation and radiation, at the outer surface of the radiation section, and at the inner surface of the radiation section.
Fig. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment comprising an external excitation portion coupled to an intermediate section which is again coupled to the radiating portion section.
FIG. 4 shows the direction of vibration at the interface between the outer excitation portion and the intermediate section, at the interface between the intermediate section and the radiation section, at the outer surface of the radiation section, and at the inner surface of the radiation section. It is a front view of the same embodiment.
5 is a front view of a radiating section section having four sides, a connecting stub having threaded holes, and a plurality of orifices distributed over the face of the radiating section body and penetrating through the radiating section body or structure, according to an embodiment. to be.
6 is a front view of a radiating section section having five sides, a connection stub having threaded holes, and a plurality of orifices distributed over the face of the radiating section body and penetrating through the radiating section body or structure, according to an embodiment. to be.
7 is a view of a radiating section section having an infinite number of sides, a connecting stub having threaded holes, and a plurality of orifices distributed over the face of the radiating section body and penetrating through the radiating section body or structure, according to an embodiment. It is a front view.
8 is a radiating section section having a symmetrical or arbitrary shape, a connection stub having a threaded hole, and a plurality of orifices distributed over the face of the radiating section body and penetrating through the radiating section body or structure, according to an embodiment. It is a front view of.
9A is a front view of a radiant section having a circular face having a plurality of orifices, according to an embodiment, the plurality of orifices distributed over the face and penetrating through the radiating section body or structure. to be. In FIG. 9A, the outer diameter (D _o ), the primary orifice diameter (D _P ), the secondary orifice diameter (D _S ), and its radius (r), which refers to the distance from the center of the circular face to the center of the secondary orifice. _S ), the third orifice diameter (D _T ), and its radius (r _T ), which refers to the distance from the center of the circular face to the center of the tertiary orifice, and the height of the connecting stub (H _stub ). Is shown.
9B is a side view of FIG. 9A for an _axial length L _axial ≤ λ/4 according to an embodiment. 9B may also be applied to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, but is limited to these examples or embodiments. It doesn't work.
9C is a cross-sectional AA view of FIG. 9A for an _axial length (L _axial ) ≤ λ/4 according to an embodiment, illustrating a primary orifice and a threaded hole in a connecting stub. 9C is also applicable to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, but such examples or embodiments Not limited.
9D is a side view of FIG. 9A with respect to the _axial length λ/4 ≤ L _axial ≤ λ/2 according to the embodiment, and additional features of adding and/or subtracting unrestricted mass in the size, shape and position of the radiating section To do. 9D is also applicable to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, but as such an example or embodiment. Not limited.
9E is a cross-sectional AA view of FIG. 9A for an _axial length λ/4 ≤ L _axial ≤ λ/2 according to an embodiment, showing a primary orifice and a threaded hole in the connecting stub according to the embodiment. , Adding and/or subtracting unrestricted mass in the size, shape and position of the radiating section. 9E is also applicable to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, but such an example or embodiment Not limited.
FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the present invention, a front view of the radiating section section illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9E, with one (one) primary orifice, four (four) secondary orifices, and eight (eight). ), the primary, secondary, and tertiary orifices have different sizes.
FIG. 11 is an embodiment of the present invention, a front view of the radiating section section illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9E, with one (one) primary orifice, eight (eight) secondary orifices, and 16 (row 6) of the tertiary orifices are shown, and the secondary and tertiary orifices have the same size, a front view.
Fig. 12 is a front view of the radiating section section illustrated in Figs. 9A to 9E as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the partial connection between the secondary orifice and the primary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown.
Fig. 13 is a front view of the radiating section section described in Figs. 9A to 9E as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the complete connection between the secondary orifice and the primary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown.
Fig. 14 is a front view of the radiating section section described in Figs. 9A to 9E as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the partial connection between the tertiary orifice and the secondary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown.
Fig. 15 is a front view of the radiating section section illustrated in Figs. 9A to 9E as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a partial connection between the tertiary orifice and the secondary orifice by means of an orifice link, and the complete connection between the secondary orifice and the primary orifice by means of an orifice link are shown.
Fig. 16 is a front view of the radiating section section described in Figs. 9A to 9E as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the complete connection between the tertiary orifice and the secondary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown. Also shown is a combination of connection configurations, namely the connection of three tertiary orifices to one secondary orifice, and connection of one tertiary orifice to one secondary orifice.
Fig. 17 is a front view of the radiating section section illustrated in Figs. 9A to 9E, as an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the complete connection between the tertiary orifice and the secondary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown. Also shown is a combination of connection configurations, namely the connection of three tertiary orifices to one secondary orifice, and connection of one tertiary orifice to one secondary orifice. In addition, the complete connection between the secondary orifice and the primary orifice by means of an orifice link is shown.
Fig. 18 is a front view of a four-sided radiating section section having an array of orifices, as an embodiment, in which each member of the array consists of a primary orifice, a secondary orifice, and a tertiary orifice.
FIG. 19 is a front view of an endless-sided radiating section with an array of orifices, as an embodiment, with each member of the array consisting of a primary orifice, a secondary orifice, and a tertiary orifice.
20A is an isometric view of an embodiment showing a complete assembly including at least an excitation section coupled to a plurality of circular orifice radiating sections, the orifice size, location and quantity are not limited to the embodiment shown. to be.
20B is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 20A.

In the following description, a number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will clearly understand that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. It will be understood that the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to the same or similar functions or features throughout several figures.

Referring now to the present invention more specifically, in FIG. 1 an excitation section 110 comprising a piezoelectric element 112, which is tightened between the end masses 114 and 116a by means of a screw fastening portion(s). A "self-excitation" ultrasonic resonator 100 is shown. The piezoelectric elements 112 are arranged in a stack comprising alternating layers of piezoelectric elements 112 and electrodes 118. The piezoelectric elements 112 are arranged such that the pole direction of the element 112 is opposite to the pole direction of the adjacent element 112. The piezoelectric element 112 and the electrode 118 have the shape of a circular ring so that the assembled laminate becomes a cylindrical body having a hole extending through an axis. The rear mass body 114 is made of a material having a relatively large acoustic impedance and is designed to direct most of the acoustic waves toward the front mass bodies 116a and 116b. The hole extends through the axis of the rear mass 114. The front mass bodies 116a and 116b are made of a material having a relatively small acoustic impedance compared to the rear mass body 114, and have threaded holes extending through the shaft thereof. The piezoelectric laminate is clamped between the rear mass body 114 and the front mass bodies 116a and 116b by a fastening portion (not shown). The fasteners are sufficiently tensioned to hold the piezoelectric laminate in compression (pre-stress applied) at all times due to the small tensile strength of the ceramic material. The rear mass body 114, the piezoelectric laminate (including the electrode), the pre-stress application fastening portion (not shown), and the longitudinal front mass bodies 116a, 116b form the excitation section 110 of the resonator 100. To form. The radiation section 130 of the resonator 100 is an object of the present invention and features an ultrasonic radiation body or structure having a multi-orifice. The radiating section 130 includes a threaded stub 134 for connection to the longitudinal front-mass 116b by a fastening such as a set-screw 137.

FIG. 2 shows the design principle of the "self-excitation" ultrasonic resonator 100 of FIG. 1. The excitation section 110 is designed to operate off-resonance when operated in isolation from the radiating section 130. Resonant operation at the design frequency is possible only when both the excitation section 110 and the radiating section section 130 are coupled together. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal mode device is designed such that the axial length of the longitudinal mode device is a multiple of the half-wavelength (λ/2) of the design frequency. A typical longitudinal mode device is designed such that the frequency of the basic (first) longitudinal mode has a length of λ/2 such that it matches the design frequency. Thus, a longitudinal mode device having an axial length that is an N-multiple of the half wavelength (λ/2) of the operating frequency will vibrate in a longitudinal mode of the Nth order, where N is an integer. Expressions relating to the device axial length (L), wavelength (λ), and frequency (f _N ) for the N-th order longitudinal mode are given by:

[Equation 1]

그리고

And

[Equation 2]

또는

or

[Equation 3]

는 음향 매체의 체적 탄성 계수(E)(Pa) 및 밀도(ρ)(kg/m³)의 항으로 주어진 장치 내의 소리의 속력이다. 여기부 섹션의 제1 길이방향 모드 주파수에 영향을 미치는 그 구조물의 일부가, 본 발명의 특징인, 나사산형 연결 스터드(도 1에서 복사부 섹션 전방-질량체 스터브(134)를 지칭함) 형태의 복사부 섹션(130)의 일부를 형성하는 것을 제외하면, 여기부 섹션(110)은 원칙적으로 길이방향 모드 장치이다. 그에 따라, 여기부 섹션(110)은 (λ/2) 보다 항상 더 짧고, 그 격리된 동작은 (여기부(110) 및 복사부 섹션(130) 모두를 포함하는) "자가-여기형" 공진기(100)의 설계 주파수 보다 더 큰 주파수를 항상 가질 것이다. (예를 들어, 세트-스크류 체결부(137)에 의해서) 여기부(110) 및 복사부 섹션(130) 모두가 타이트하게(tightly) 결합될 때, 완전한 공진기 조립체는 설계 주파수에서 공진 동작된다. 이러한 동작에서, 여기부 섹션(110)은 19 kHz 내지 1 MHz의 범위, 보다 바람직하게 19 kHz 내지 100 kHz의 범위, 그리고 바람직하게 그 제1 길이방향 모드에서 초음파 주파수로 진동되는 한편; 복사부 섹션(130)은 여기부 섹션과 동일한 주파수에서 그 반경방향 모드, 바람직하게 기본적인 반경방향 모드로 동작된다. 설계 요건에 따라서, 복사부 섹션은 또한 다른 반경방향 모드로 동작될 수 있다. 동작 중에, 복사부 섹션의 내부 표면(오리피스(131, 132, 133)의 벽)이 각각의 오리피스의 중심을 향해서 방출되는 초음파 파동을 생성하는 동안, 복사부 외부 표면이 진동하고 그에 의해서 외부로 그리고 복사부 섹션(130)이 내부에 배치되는 유체 내로 방출되는 초음파 파동을 생성한다. 도 2의 화살표는 동작 중의 진동 방향을 도시한다.Where f _{1 represents the} basic (first) longitudinal mode, c=

Is the speed of sound within the device given in terms of the volume modulus (E) (Pa) and density (ρ) (kg/m ³ ) of the acoustic medium. The part of the structure that affects the first longitudinal mode frequency of the excitation section is radiation in the form of a threaded connection stud (referred to in FIG. 1 as a radiating section front-mass stub 134), which is a feature of the invention. Except for forming part of the sub-section 130, the excitation section 110 is in principle a longitudinal mode device. Accordingly, the excitation section 110 is always shorter than (λ/2) and its isolated operation is a "self-excitation" resonator (including both the excitation section 110 and the radiating section 130). It will always have a frequency greater than the design frequency of (100). When both the excitation section 110 and the radiating section 130 are tightly coupled (eg, by a set-screw fastening section 137), the complete resonator assembly is resonantly operated at the design frequency. In this operation, the excitation section 110 is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency in the range of 19 kHz to 1 MHz, more preferably in the range of 19 kHz to 100 kHz, and preferably in its first longitudinal mode; The radiation section 130 is operated in its radial mode, preferably in the basic radial mode, at the same frequency as the excitation section. Depending on the design requirements, the radiating section can also be operated in other radial modes. During operation, while the inner surface of the radiation section (the walls of the orifices 131, 132, 133) generates ultrasonic waves that are emitted towards the center of each orifice, the outside surface of the radiation section vibrates and thereby outward and The radiation section 130 generates an ultrasonic wave that is emitted into a fluid disposed therein. The arrow in Fig. 2 shows the direction of vibration during operation.

3 shows an embodiment of the invention consisting of an external excitation portion 310, which is coupled to an intermediate section 320 which is again coupled to the radiating portion section 330. In this embodiment, the external excitation portion 310 can be obtained from a third party supplier and serves only as a means to excite the resonator assembly externally, and the resonator assembly itself does not have any self-excitation means. The external excitation part 310 is configured to vibrate in a longitudinal direction and/or a torsional mode. The resonator assembly of this embodiment includes an intermediate section 320 and a radiating section 330. When the intermediate section 320 primarily functions as a matching structure between the external excitation section 310 and the radiating section section 330, it is secondary to amplify the vibration displacement of the external excitation section output surface (the surface coupled to the intermediate section). It functions as a booster for The complete assembly comprising external excitation 310, intermediate section 320, and radiating section 330 is resonantly operated at a design frequency.

4 shows the design principle of the "external-excitation" ultrasonic resonator of FIG. 3. The intermediate section 320 is designed to be operated off-resonance when operated isolated from the radiating section section 330, and the radiating section section 330 is off when operated isolated from the intermediate section 320 -Designed to operate with resonance. Resonant operation at the design frequency is only possible when both the middle section 320 and the radiating section 330 are joined together. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal mode device is designed based on a multiple of the half-wavelength (λ/2) of the operating frequency. Part of the structure that affects the first longitudinal mode frequency of the intermediate section is radiation in the form of a threaded connection stud (referring to the radiant section front-mass stub 134 in FIG. 1 ), which is a feature of the invention. Except for forming part of the sub-section 330, the middle section 320 is a longitudinal mode device and is designed with a half-wavelength (λ/2). Thus, the intermediate section 320 is always shorter than (λ/2) and its isolated operation is a "external-excitation" resonator (which includes both the intermediate section 320 and the radiator section 330). 300) will always be greater than the design frequency. When both the middle section 320 and the radiating section 330 are tightly coupled (e.g., by a set-screw fastener 337), the complete resonator assembly can be externally excited and at the design frequency. To achieve resonance. In this operation, the intermediate section 320 is vibrated in its first longitudinal mode, while the radiating section 330 is operated in its radial mode, preferably in its basic radial mode. Depending on the design requirements, the radiator section 330 can also be operated in other radial modes. During operation, while its inner surface (the wall of the orifice) produces an ultrasonic wave that is emitted towards the center of each orifice, the outer surface of the radiator vibrates and thereby generates an ultrasonic wave that is emitted outward and into the fluid. The arrow in Fig. 4 shows the direction of vibration during operation.

5 shows as an embodiment of the invention a section of a radiating section having a rectangular side, for example a rectangular side. The radiating section consists of a threaded connection stub (referred to as radiating section front-mass stub 134 in FIG. 1), and a radiating body or structure having a plurality of orifices.

6 shows a section of a radiating section having a pentagonal face as an embodiment of the present invention. The radiating section consists of a threaded connection stub (referred to as radiating section front-mass stub 134 in FIG. 1), and a radiating body or structure having a plurality of orifices.

7 shows a section of a radiating section having a circular face as an embodiment of the invention. The radiating section consists of a threaded connection stub (referred to as radiating section front-mass stub 134 in FIG. 1), and a radiating body or structure having a plurality of orifices.

8 shows a radiating section section having a composite/arbitrary surface as an embodiment of the present invention. The radiating section consists of a threaded connection stub (referred to as radiating section front-mass stub 134 in FIG. 1), and a radiating body or structure having a plurality of orifices.

It should be noted that the design of the radiating section section of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-8. Such a drawing serves only as an example of the possible flexibility in the design of the ultrasonic resonator of the present invention in connection with an ultrasonic radiator having a plurality of orifices and threaded connection stubs, and the threaded connection stub is "self-excitation. It forms part of an excitation section or intermediate section of each of the “resonator and “external-excitation” resonators.

A circular faceted multi-orifice radiating section is shown in FIG. 9A as an embodiment of the invention. A circular radiant section having a diameter D _o and multiple orifices is described as having three levels of orifices: a primary orifice, a secondary orifice, and a tertiary orifice. It should be noted that the number of levels of the orifice need not be limited to 3, but should have at least two levels to satisfy the definition of the multi-orifice of the present invention. The primary orifice is arranged in the center of the radiating portion and, in the case of this embodiment, concentrically with the circular face. The secondary orifice is disposed at a radius r _S from the center of the primary orifice. In this embodiment, the secondary orifice is circular and has a diameter D _S. The location, diameter, and quantity of secondary orifices are not limited to any number, but only by design requirements and geometric constraints. The tertiary orifice is placed at a radius r _T from the center of the primary orifice, where r _T is greater than r _S. In this embodiment, the tertiary orifice is circular and has a diameter D _T. The location, diameter, and quantity of the tertiary orifices are not limited to any number, but only by design requirements and geometric constraints. It will be appreciated that higher orifice level orifices, e.g. secondary and tertiary orifices, are arranged at the lowest orifice level, i.e. increasing radial distance from the primary orifice, when the orifice level is increased.

9B and 9C show a side view and a cross-sectional AA view of the circular radiating section section of FIG. 9A for a radiating section axial length L _{axial of} less than or equal to λ/4. Those skilled in the art will be able to locate the axial, bending, twisting, warping and other complex modes associated with propagation of ultrasonic energy other than the radial direction, at a frequency where L _axial of λ/4 or less is significantly greater than the operating frequency. It will be appreciated that it prevents excitation of (parasitic mode). 9B and 9C are also applied to the section planes of the radiation section of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. It should be noted that although possible, it is not limited to this embodiment.

9D and 9E show a side view and a cross-sectional AA view of the circular radiating section section of FIG. 9A with respect to the radiating section section axial length L _{axial of} λ/4 or more and λ/2 or less, and FIG. It features an unrestricted mass addition 901 and/or subtraction in its size, shape, and location. In applications where it is necessary to have an L _axial longer than λ/4 (e.g., to increase the ultrasonic exposure of the fluid passing through), the longer L _axial adds mass at the appropriate position to ensure uniform vibrational displacement. Need. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the addition of a castellation or slot, or a similar addition or subtraction of mass to the structure, aids in the suppression of vibrations of the thick structure. A similar approach for the design and optimization of block horns can be configured for the design and optimization of thick multi-orifice radiators. 9D and 9E are also applied to the section surfaces of the radiating section of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. It should be noted that although possible, it is not limited to this embodiment.

The versatility of the multi-orifice radiant design of the present invention, specifically, but not limited to, the circular face radiating section design illustrated in FIG. 9A is illustrated in the following description:

Figure 10 is an embodiment of the present invention, one (one) primary orifice positioned at the center of the circular face, four (four) secondary orifices around the primary orifice, and 8 around the secondary orifice. A circular face radiating section is shown with three (three) orifice levels consisting of three (eight) tertiary orifices. Also in this example, the use of different orifice sizes for different orifice levels is shown.

Figure 11 is an embodiment of the present invention, one (one) primary orifice located in the center of the circular face, eight (eight) secondary orifices around the primary orifice, and 16 around the secondary orifices. A circular surface radiating section is shown with three (three) orifice levels consisting of six (sixteen) tertiary orifices. Also in this example, the use of the same orifice size for the secondary orifice and tertiary orifice levels is shown.

Both FIGS. 10 and 11 show the versatility of the multi-orifice radiating part design, as one of the features of the present invention, except for the primary orifice which must always be within the geometric center of the radiating part face and always be singular. , There are no restrictions on the size and position of the orifice. The exact size and location of the orifice is defined by the requirements of the operating mode shape(s), modal frequency, and size of the radiating section section, as required by the application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that fine tuning of orifice size, location, and quantity is part of the frequency tuning process for any ultrasonic radiation device.

In addition, it is possible to introduce a'orifice-link' as a means for tuning the device, as a means for increasing the radiant surface area, and as a means for reducing the mass of the radiant part, which is one of the features of the present invention. The orifice-link connects one orifice to another, and the orifice-link may be configured in any of the following non-limiting ways: (1) one orifice from orifice level to another or adjacent orifice level. One orifice from; (2) one orifice from the orifice level versus one orifice from the same orifice level; (3) one orifice from an orifice level versus two or more orifices from another or adjacent orifice level; (4) one orifice from the orifice level versus two orifices from the same orifice level; (5) One orifice from an orifice level versus one or more orifices from another or adjacent orifice level and one or more orifices from another adjacent orifice level. The following figure illustrates the use of orifice-links in a multi-orifice radiant section design:

Figure 12 is a circular surface multi-orifice having four (four) orifice-links 1210 connecting four (four) of eight (eight) secondary orifices 1202 to a primary orifice 1201 The copy section section is shown as an example.

FIG. 13 is a circular multi-orifice having eight (eight) orifices-links 1310 connecting eight (eight) of eight (eight) secondary orifices 1302 to a primary orifice 1301 The copy section section is shown as an example.

Figure 14 shows eight (eight) connecting eight (eight) out of 16 (sixteen) tertiary orifices 1403 to eight (eight) of eight (8) secondary orifices 1402 A circular faced multi-orifice radiation section with an orifice-link 1410 of, and no orifice connection to the primary orifice 1401 is shown as an embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows eight (eight) orifice-links 1510 connecting eight (eight) out of 16 (sixteen) tertiary orifices 1503 to eight (eight) of secondary orifices 1502. ), and also a circular face multi-orifice copy with eight (eight) orifice-links connecting eight (eight) of the eight (eight) secondary orifices 1502 to the primary orifice 1501. The sub-section is shown as an example.

16, as an embodiment, 16 (sixteen) out of 16 (sixteen) tertiary orifices 1603 to 8 (8) out of 8 (eight) secondary orifices 1602 It shows a circular surface multi-orifice copy section section having 16 (sixteen) orifice-links 1610 connecting, and four (four) tertiary orifices 1603 are each one (one). It is connected to the secondary orifices 1602, 12 (twelve) of the remaining tertiary orifices 1603 are connected to the remaining four (four) secondary orifices 1602, and accordingly, three (three) A group of tertiary orifices 1603 is connected to one (one) secondary orifice 1602, and the orifice is not connected to the primary orifice 1601.

17 shows, as an example, 16 (sixteen) out of 16 (sixteen) tertiary orifices 1703 and 8 (eight) out of eight (eight) secondary orifices 1702. A circular surface multi-orifice radiating section section with 16 (sixteen) orifice-links 1710 connecting, four (four) tertiary orifices 1703 each having one (one) It is connected to the secondary orifices 1702, and 12 (twelve) of the remaining tertiary orifices 1703 are connected to the remaining 4 (four) secondary orifices 1702, and accordingly, three (three) A group of tertiary orifices 1703 is connected to one (one) secondary orifice 1702; An additional eight (eight) orifice-links 1710 connect eight (eight) secondary orifices 1702 to the primary orifices 1701.

5-17 include examples of the flexibility of a multi-orifice configuration, primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and other orifices are not limited in size, quantity, location and shape.

Fig. 18 shows a four-sided radiating section with an array of orifices, and by way of example, each member 1811 of the array consists of a primary orifice, a secondary orifice, and a tertiary orifice. The shape of the radiating section section is not limited to having any number of sides, and it is also possible to design such a three-sided multi-orifice radiating section with an infinite number of sides. The number of members in the array, where each member 1811 is a set of primary orifices, secondary orifices, tertiary orifices, quaternary orifices, and the number of levels of orifices are not limited to any number. In this figure, a radiating section section with four (four) array members 1811 is shown, with each array member 1811 having one (one) primary orifice and eight (eight) secondary. Phosphorus orifices, and 16 (sixteen) tertiary orifices.

19 shows an endless-sided radiating section with an array of orifices, by way of example, each member 1911 of the array consisting of a primary orifice, a secondary orifice, and a tertiary orifice. The shape of the radiating section section is not limited to having any number of sides, and it is also possible to design such a three-sided multi-orifice radiating section with an infinite number of sides. The number of members in the array, and the number of levels of orifices, in which each member 1911 is a set of primary orifices, secondary orifices, tertiary orifices, and quaternary orifices, are not limited to any number. In this figure, a radiating section section with five (five) array members 1911 is shown, and each array member 1911 has one (one) primary orifice, six (six). Secondary orifices, and 12 (twelve) tertiary orifices.

The orifice-link may also be applied to the embodiments of FIGS. 18 and 19 in an arrangement similar to that shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, but is not limited to this example.

20A and 20B show, as examples, a rear mass body 2014, a piezoelectric laminate 2012, a longitudinal front-mass body 2016a, a pre-stress applying bolt (fastening part), and a primary orifice 2001. ), a secondary orifice 2002, a tertiary orifice 2003, and a complete self-excitation multiple orifice resonator assembly 2000 comprising a multi-orifice radiating section 2035 having a quaternary orifice 2004. It shows a perspective view and a front view. The excitation section is arranged in the nodal region of vibration, and when mounting the ultrasonic resonator assembly 2000 into a pipe or tank, the mounting flange is dimensioned to prevent wetting of the active electromechanical elements contained within the excitation section. (2019) included. Examples of electromechanical elements include, but are not limited to, piezoelectric elements 112 or magnetoresistive elements. It is noted that any example shown in FIGS. 5 to 17 may replace the multi-orifice radiating section 2035 shown in this figure to form a complete assembly of the multi-orifice resonator of the present invention, but is not limited to this example. It should be noted.

Advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to:

(a) The provision of a plurality of orifices on the ultrasonic radiating section section arranged as at least two orifice levels increases the radiant surface area without increasing the structural mass of the ultrasonic resonator section and without increasing the electrical consumption requirements.

(b) An ultrasonic radiating unit resulting in a reduced use of ultrasonic transducers and generators, since the power consumption requirement to provide an increase in flow rate does not increase.

(c) Ultrasonic radiation capable of distributing acoustic energy to the vibrating surface and delaying the onset of bubble-shielding resulting in the ability to drive the radiation with significantly greater power than similar devices with a smaller radiation surface area.

(d) An ultrasonic radiation unit capable of creating a greater acoustic pressure within the orifice to create a more intensive cavitation effect.

(e) An ultrasonic radiator that more efficiently generates acoustic waves and cavitation energy due to the large radiant surface area to mass ratio.

(f) Orifice-links may be provided for connecting orifices to one or more orifices from the same and/or different orifice levels. This provides an alternative method of tuning, mass reduction, and internal radiant surface area increase.

(g) The excitation section has an axial length of less than half the wavelength, and the remaining axial length constituting the full half-wave forms part of the radiant section. There are several advantages resulting from this two-part design, including but not limited to the following advantages:

(i) The two-part design allows the resonator to be easily installed into the pipe, through a smaller insertion port of the pipe. If the resonator is of a single piece design, the insertion port will have to be larger than the lateral dimension of the radiator. In a two-part design, the insertion port only needs to be wide enough to accommodate the excitation section.

(ii) Radiant sections, mostly in contact with abrasive seawater and exposed to the destructive effects of cavitation bubbles, wear out faster than excitation sections. The two-part design allows only the copy section section to be replaced when needed, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments and features are illustrative and should be regarded as non-limiting. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Those skilled in the art will be able to readily devise many other embodiments from consideration and implementation of the specification of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents given by the claims. In addition, certain terms have been used for clarity purposes and do not limit the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (19)

It is an ultrasonic resonator:
An excitation section having a longitudinal axis, the excitation section dimensioned to resonate in a direction along the longitudinal axis when the excitation section is energized with high frequency vibration; And
A radiating section section having a connecting stub and coupled to the excitation section through the connecting stub, the radiating section section configured to receive vibrations from the excitation section and transmit such vibrations as acoustic waves,
The axial length of the excitation section is shorter than the half-wavelength,
The connection stub completes a half-wavelength when the ultrasonic resonator is coupled to the excitation section so as to operate resonantly at a design frequency,
The radiating section section includes a radiating section body having a plurality of orifices,
The orifice is arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and the orifices of each orifice level, other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice, are centered around the single orifice and are increased from the single orifice with increasing orifice level. Ultrasonic resonators arranged at radial distances. The method of claim 1,
The radiating part body comprises at least three side surfaces for providing a plurality of outer radiating surfaces, and two opposite sides having the plurality of orifices formed therein, and the wall of the orifice is configured to provide a plurality of inner radiating surfaces. And
The inner and outer surfaces are configured to transmit vibrations as acoustic waves. delete The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The radiation unit body is provided with a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice level, the ultrasonic resonator. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
In the radiation unit body, a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice levels other than the single orifice of the primary orifice level are provided. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
At least a portion of the orifice has a depth partially extending through a thickness of the body of the radiating unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
At least a portion of the orifice has a depth extending completely through the thickness of the body of the radiation unit, the ultrasonic resonator. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the excitation section includes an electromechanical energy conversion device configured to generate vibrations. The method of claim 1,
The excitation section is cylindrical in shape with a circular cross-section with variable diameter. The method of claim 1,
The excitation section comprises a mounting flange arranged in the nodal region of vibration and dimensioned to prevent wetting of the active electromechanical elements of the excitation section when mounting the ultrasonic resonator into a pipe or tank. , Ultrasonic resonator. The ultrasonic radiator section is:
A radiation body having an array of orifices, each member of the array comprising a plurality of orifices arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and an orifice of each orifice level other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice Are centered around the single orifice and arranged at an increasing radial distance from the single orifice with increasing orifice level. The method of claim 11,
The number of orifices in the primary orifice level equal to the number of array members. The method of claim 12,
A plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice levels are provided on the body of the radiating unit. The method of claim 12,
In the radiation unit body, a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice levels other than a single orifice of the primary orifice level are provided. It is an ultrasonic resonator:
An intermediate section configured to be connected to an external excitation and having a longitudinal axis, the intermediate section dimensioned to resonate in a direction along the longitudinal axis when the intermediate section is energized by high frequency vibrations from the external excitation;
A radiating section section having a connecting stub and coupled to the intermediate section through the connecting stub, the radiating section section configured to receive vibrations from the intermediate section and transmit such vibrations as acoustic waves,
The axial length of the intermediate section is shorter than the half-wavelength,
The connecting stub completes a half-wavelength when the ultrasonic resonator is coupled to the intermediate section such that it is resonantly operated at a design frequency. The method of claim 15,
The radiating section section comprises a radiating section body having at least three side surfaces for providing a plurality of exterior radiating surfaces, and two opposing sides having a plurality of orifices formed therein, the walls of the orifices having a plurality of interior Is configured to provide a radiating surface, and
The inner and outer surfaces are configured to transmit vibrations as acoustic waves. The method of claim 16,
The orifice is arranged in a plurality of orifice levels, and the orifices of each orifice level, other than the primary orifice level having a single orifice, are centered around the single orifice and are increased from the single orifice with increasing orifice level. Ultrasonic resonators arranged at radial distances. The method of claim 17,
The radiation unit body is provided with a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice level, the ultrasonic resonator. The method of claim 17,
In the radiation unit body, a plurality of orifice-links connecting at least some of orifices of adjacent orifice levels other than the single orifice of the primary orifice level are provided.

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