Ultrasonic drying system and method
First Claim
1. A method of calibrating an apparatus for drying a material, comprising:
- positioning the material and an ultrasonic transducer of the apparatus such that an outlet of the ultrasonic transducer is positioned a spaced distance from an interface surface of the material such that an amplitude of acoustic oscillations generated by the ultrasonic transducer at the interface surface of the material is in a range of 120 dB to 190 dB;
calculating the spaced distance using the formula (λ
)(n/4);
positioning the ultrasonic transducer and the material the spaced distance from each other;
positioning a sound input device immediately adjacent the interface surface of the material;
operably connecting the sound input device to a signal conditioner;
measuring pressure of the acoustic oscillations at the interface surface of the material using the sound input device and the signal conditioner;
converting the measured pressure to decibels; and
repositioning the ultrasonic transducer relative to the material and repeating the measuring and converting steps until the decibel level at the interface surface of the material is in the range of 120 dB to 190 dB.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drying apparatus and method including heated airflow and ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged and operated for effectively breaking down the boundary layer to increase the heat transfer rate. The ultrasonic transducers are spaced from the material to be dried a distance of about (λ)(n/4), where λ is the wavelength of the ultrasonic oscillations and n is an odd integer (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.). In this way, the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillations is maximized to more-effectively agitate the boundary layer. In addition, the ultrasonic transducers are operated to produce about 120-190 dB (preferably, about 160-185 dB) at the interface surface of the material to be dried. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of a pneumatic type. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of an electric type. And in other embodiments, infrared and/or UV light devices are included for further boundary layer disruption.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of calibrating an apparatus for drying a material, comprising:
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positioning the material and an ultrasonic transducer of the apparatus such that an outlet of the ultrasonic transducer is positioned a spaced distance from an interface surface of the material such that an amplitude of acoustic oscillations generated by the ultrasonic transducer at the interface surface of the material is in a range of 120 dB to 190 dB; calculating the spaced distance using the formula (λ
)(n/4);positioning the ultrasonic transducer and the material the spaced distance from each other; positioning a sound input device immediately adjacent the interface surface of the material; operably connecting the sound input device to a signal conditioner; measuring pressure of the acoustic oscillations at the interface surface of the material using the sound input device and the signal conditioner; converting the measured pressure to decibels; and repositioning the ultrasonic transducer relative to the material and repeating the measuring and converting steps until the decibel level at the interface surface of the material is in the range of 120 dB to 190 dB. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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2. A method of calibrating an apparatus for drying a material, comprising:
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positioning the material and an ultrasonic transducer of the apparatus such that an outlet of the ultrasonic transducer is positioned a spaced distance from an interface surface of the material such that an amplitude of acoustic oscillations generated by the ultrasonic transducer at the interface surface of the material is in a range of 120 dB to 190 dB; calculating the spaced distance using the formula (λ
)(n/4), wherein “
λ
”
is a wavelength of the acoustic oscillations and “
n”
is in a range of plus or minus 0.5 of an odd integer so that the acoustic oscillations at the interface surface of the material are within a 90-degree range centered at maximum amplitude;positioning the ultrasonic transducer and the material the spaced distance from each other; determining the amplitude of the acoustic oscillations at the interface surface of the material; repositioning the ultrasonic transducer relative to the material and repeating the determining step until the decibel level at the interface surface of the material is in the range of 120 dB to 190 dB; and subjecting the material to the acoustic oscillations while conveying the material relative to the ultrasonic transducer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification