Cylindrical acoustic levitator/concentrator
US6467350B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D49/006
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A low-power, inexpensive acoustic apparatus for levitation and/or concentration of aerosols and small liquid/solid samples having particulates up to several millimeters in diameter in air or other fluids is described. It is constructed from a commercially available, hollow cylindrical piezoelectric crystal which has been modified to tune the resonance frequency of the breathing mode resonance of the crystal to that of the interior cavity of the cylinder. When the resonance frequency of the interior cylindrical cavity is matched to the breathing mode resonance of the cylindrical piezoelectric transducer, the acoustic efficiency for establishing a standing wave pattern in the cavity is high. The cylinder does not require accurate alignment of a resonant cavity. Water droplets having diameters greater than 1 mm have been levitated against the force of gravity using; less than 1 W of input electrical power. Concentration of aerosol particles in air is also demonstrated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.