Acoustic Particle Filter Frequency Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques fail to selectively measure the particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture, or process flow using acoustic standing wave agglomeration technology, despite its ability to filter contaminants.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the frequency of an acoustic driver signal to create a specific wavelength that selectively captures particles of a particular size, allowing for their mass determination through gravitational settling and weighing, using an apparatus comprising an acoustic driver and transducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic standing wave agglomeration technology is used to filter contaminants, then contaminants are captured in the antinodes of the acoustic field, but the technology cannot selectively measure particular particle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the acoustic drive frequency to create different wavelengths, which selectively captures particles of specific sizes. The relationship Fd=(0.48υ)/R^2 shows that changing frequency (parameter) directly controls the captured particle radius (R), enabling selective measurement of different particle sizes while maintaining contaminant capture capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the particle measurement process by using a single acoustic device to measure different particle size ranges through frequency adjustment. Instead of requiring multiple devices for different size ranges, the system divides the measurement capability into selectable frequency bands, where each frequency targets a specific particle size range
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple techniques are used to measure different particle sizes, then comprehensive particle size analysis is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single acoustic device that can measure multiple particle size ranges. The device achieves multi-functionality through frequency adjustment, where one device performs the work of multiple specialized devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise measurement and capture of specific particle sizes by adjusting the acoustic frequency, effectively determining the mass of particles in a fluid, mixture, or process flow, facilitating selective filtration and sorting.
Implementation Method 1
Acoustic standing wave agglomeration technology is known in the art and has been used to filter contaminants from fluids. With this method, contaminants collect in the antinodes of the acoustic field.
Implementation Method 2
The agglomeration of particles is dependent upon a number of physical properties of the system, such as density of the particle, kinematic viscosity, particle size and wavelength of the standing wave.
Implementation Method 3
The transducer may be configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency
Implementation Method 4
Upon removal of the power, the captured particles will drop due to gravitational forces where the mass can be weighed.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus is provided featuring an acoustic driver and a transducer. The acoustic driver is configured to provide an acoustic driver signal having a frequency that can be adjusted to yield a given wavelength, which in turn, will selectively capture a particular particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture or process flow. The transducer is configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency in order to yield the given wavelength that will selectively capture the particular particle size of the particles in the fluid, mixture or process flow, in order to determine the mass of the particles having the particular particle size in the fluid, mixture or process flow.