Ultrasonic comb horn and methods for using same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
- means for generating vibrations in a first direction;
a spine member having first and second ends and being operatively associated with the vibration generating means, said spine member being oriented perpendicular to the direction of said generated vibrations; and
a plurality of tine members having a working end for transmitting said generated vibrations and extending perpendicularly from said spine member in the direction of said generated vibrations, each tine member positioned and attached at an antinode location along said spine member and having a length of n Γ
/2 wherein n is an integer and Γ
is equal to c/f where c is the velocity of sound in the apparatus and f is the chosen frequency of vibration, wherein first and second tine members positioned on said spine member opposite the attachment of said vibration generation means are attached at their working end but are otherwise separated by a space extending along their length; and
wherein each other tine member is connected to adjacent tine members only at a points along their length of n Γ
/4 wherein n is an odd integer;
said other tine members forming a symmetrical pattern on each side of a plane passing vertically between said first and second tine members;
wherein the working end of each tine member other than said first and second tine members is separated from the working end of each adjacent tine members.
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Abstract
A unitary extended width comb horn for generating ultrasonic vibrations over a width of greater than 12 inches for a frequency of 20 kHz wherein such vibrations vary by less than ±10% across the width of the horn. Also, processes utilizing this horn and related devices incorporating same.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
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means for generating vibrations in a first direction; a spine member having first and second ends and being operatively associated with the vibration generating means, said spine member being oriented perpendicular to the direction of said generated vibrations; and a plurality of tine members having a working end for transmitting said generated vibrations and extending perpendicularly from said spine member in the direction of said generated vibrations, each tine member positioned and attached at an antinode location along said spine member and having a length of n Γ
/2 wherein n is an integer and Γ
is equal to c/f where c is the velocity of sound in the apparatus and f is the chosen frequency of vibration, wherein first and second tine members positioned on said spine member opposite the attachment of said vibration generation means are attached at their working end but are otherwise separated by a space extending along their length; and
wherein each other tine member is connected to adjacent tine members only at a points along their length of n Γ
/4 wherein n is an odd integer;
said other tine members forming a symmetrical pattern on each side of a plane passing vertically between said first and second tine members;
wherein the working end of each tine member other than said first and second tine members is separated from the working end of each adjacent tine members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 53, 54, 60)
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21. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
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means for generating vibrations in a first direction; a spine member having first and second ends and being operatively associated with the vibration generating means, said spine member being oriented perpendicular to the direction of said generated vibrations; and a plurality of tine members having a working end for transmitting said generated vibrations and extending perpendicularly from said spine member in the direction of said generated vibrations, wherein each tine member is positioned and attached at every other antinode location along said spine member so that each tine member vibrates in the same direction, each tine member having a length of n Γ
/2 wherein n is an integer and Γ
is equal to c/f where c is the velocity of sound in the apparatus and f is the chosen frequency of vibration, and further wherein each tine member is attached at its working end to each adjacent tine member but is separated therefrom by a slot extending substantially along its length, thus forming a unitary working end for the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 55, 56)
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32. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
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means for generating vibrations in a first direction; a spine member having first and second ends and being operatively associated with the vibration generating means, said spine member being oriented perpendicular to the direction of said generated vibrations; a plurality of tine members having a working end for transmitting said generated vibrations and extending perpendicularly from said spine member in the direction of said generated vibrations, each tine member positioned and attached at an antinode location along said elongated member and having a length of n Γ
/2 wherein n is an integer and Γ
is equal to c/f where c is the velocity of sound in the apparatus and f is the chosen frequency of vibration, wherein first and second tine members positioned on said elongated member opposite the attachment of said vibration generation means are attached at their working end but are otherwise separated by a space extending along their length; and
wherein each other tine member is connected to adjacent tine members only at points along their length of n Γ
/4 wherein n is an odd integer;
said other tine members forming a symmetrical pattern on each side of a plane passing vertically between the mid-point of the spine member;
wherein the working end of each tine member other than said first and second tine members is separated from the working end of each adjacent tine member; anda plurality of half wavelength extensional resonators mounted symmetrically on said spine member about said plane of symmetry. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 57, 58, 59)
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45. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric crystals in adjacent spatial relation; means for energizing said crystals in a manner which causes vibration thereof; a support for transmitting vibrations generated by said crystals; means for mechanically coupling said crystals to said support; and means for removing heat caused by vibration of said crystals comprising boron nitride powder and means for retaining said powder about said crystals and in contact therewith. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A vibration generating apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of piezoelectric crystals in adjacent spatial relation; means for energizing said crystals in a manner which causes vibration thereof; a support for transmitting vibrations generated by said crystals; means for mechanically coupling said crystals to said support; and means for removing heat caused by vibration of said crystals wherein said heat removing means comprises an enclosure mounted upon said support and positioned about said crystals, and a heat transfer medium comprising an electrically non-conductive, thermally conductive powder contained therewithin. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52)
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Specification