Ultrasonic Fluid Drive for Standing-Wave Particle Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid devices face inefficiencies in converging fine particles due to diffusion caused by velocity components orthogonal to the flow path, leading to reduced capturing efficiency, particularly when flow path diameters differ at inlets and containers.
Innovation Solution
A fluid device drive method involving a configuration with inflow, separation, and outflow paths, utilizing multiple ultrasonic elements to form orthogonal standing waves, with a controller to set reference positions and search for optimal frequencies to align nodes and antinodes, ensuring precise capture and reduced diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow path diameter is reduced in the container compared to the inlet, then the fluid velocity increases and mixing is enhanced, but the orthogonal velocity component increases causing fine particle diffusion and reducing capturing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow path diameter adjustable rather than fixed. The expandable flow path allows the diameter to change dynamically based on operational requirements, enabling optimization of the balance between fluid velocity and particle diffusion control during different stages of the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of flow path diameter to resolve the contradiction. By making the diameter variable through expansion mechanisms, the system can adjust the geometric parameter to control the orthogonal velocity component and prevent fine particle diffusion while maintaining efficient capturing.
2Productivity
If ultrasonic waves are used to form standing waves for particle convergence, then fine particles can be captured, but manufacturing errors in flow path dimensions cause frequency deviations that reduce capture precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit to measure the actual standing wave characteristics and comparing them with target values. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the ultrasonic wave frequency to compensate for manufacturing errors, ensuring precise particle convergence at the intended location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the ultrasonic waves dynamically to compensate for dimensional variations. By adjusting the frequency based on detected deviations, the system maintains accurate node and antinode positions even when manufacturing tolerances vary.
3Productivity
If multiple ultrasonic elements are used to form standing waves in different flow paths, then particle capture efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the ultrasonic elements to serve multiple functions. The same ultrasonic elements that generate standing waves for particle convergence also serve as detection sensors when coupled with the detection unit, reducing the need for separate components and managing system complexity.
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
Improves the efficiency of capturing fine particles by controlling their movement within predetermined allowable ranges, suppressing diffusion, and maintaining high concentration in the fluid output, even with manufacturing errors or environmental variations.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic waves of specific intensities, specific frequencies, specific phases, or a combination thereof are introduced into a vessel
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasonic waves are controlled to form a positional potential gradient, thereby moving the fine particles. For example, the fine particles can be collected by using the ultrasonic waves to form a standing wave
Implementation Method 3
the ultrasonic waves are controlled to form a positional potential gradient, thereby moving the fine particles
Implementation Method 4
if the diameter of the flow path differs at the inlet and the inside of the container, the flow velocity component orthogonal to the flow path increases in the container, and thus fine particles become diffused
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid device drive method for a fluid device including a reference setting step of setting a reference position of a node or an antinode of a standing wave, a first search step of searching within a predetermined range from the reference position for a first frequency of the first standing wave at which a node or an antinode is located, a second search step of searching within the range from the reference position for a second frequency of the second standing wave at which a node or an antinode is located, and a drive step of driving a first ultrasonic element at the first frequency and driving a second ultrasonic element at the second frequency.