Non-planar and non-symmetrical piezoelectric crystals and reflectors
US11179747B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2016 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/85
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An acoustophoretic device is disclosed. The acoustophoretic device includes an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber emanating from a non-planar face of the piezoelectric material. A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is also disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.