DE202004006380U1 - Vessel to expose ultrasonic waves to fluid or paste medium has ultrasonic oscillation systems on first surface operated at one frequency and those on second surface at another - Google Patents

Abstract

The vessel (5) to expose ultrasonic waves to a fluid or paste medium has at least two surfaces (F1,F2) each equipped with at least one ultrasonic oscillation system, whereby the ultrasonic oscillation systems (1) on the first surface are operated at one frequency and those (2) on the second surface at another. The main radiating direction of the effective sound fields of the first and second surfaces and/or even the surfaces of the vessel itself have an inclination angle of less than 180 degrees. The difference between the first and second ultrasonic frequencies is preferably more than 15kHz. An independent claim is included for a device with two groups of ultrasonic oscillating systems on first and second surfaces of a vessel and operated simultaneously.

Description

In power ultrasound technology, for example in the surface and sonochemical process engineering, are the most diverse containers / Tubs, ultrasonic submersible transducers and vibrating plates with ultrasonic vibration systems one frequency, for the traditional aqueous ultrasonic cleaning or also to activate liquid / pasty chemical Substances. For many reasons, the ultrasonic installations are carried out via one area in the bottom area of the containers. Mostly flat radiation surfaces (made of sheet metal or plastic), z. B. doing so on the medium opposite side with several vibration systems of an ultrasonic frequency stocked. Here, for. B. the electrically parallel switched ultrasonic vibration systems supplied by an HF generator.

The flat acoustic radiation surface creates in the liquid an anisotropic ultrasound field with directional flat wave fronts. That favors the Formation of standing waves in the bathroom with different intensity zones and reflections at the interfaces.

Is also the height of the liquid or pasty medium above one Floor radiation area up to level a multiple of the quarter wavelength of the ultrasound in the medium, stands for many ultrasonic vibration systems Total reflection intensified on.

Standing waves, anechoic zones and reflections are particularly distracting when in the entire media volume the achievement of a high ultrasonic energy density, accompanied by powerful Cavitation desired is. Very different cleaning effects on the surface of the items to be cleaned and insufficient Yields in an ultrasound-assisted chemical reaction can Be consequences.

Based on this state of the art the invention has for its object a container for more intensive sound liquid and pasty To create media that minimizes the aforementioned disadvantages and at the same time a better sound and cavitation distribution in liquid or pasty media causes.

This object is achieved by the characteristic features of the main claim in connection with the Features of the generic term solved.

The present invention relates to a container for sound reinforcement or pasty media by means of ultrasound with at least two, each with at least areas equipped with an ultrasonic vibration system for emitting ultrasonic energy into the liquid or pasty Medium, with first ultrasonic vibration systems on a first surface of the container can be operated with a first ultrasonic frequency and on a second area of the container second ultrasonic vibration systems with a second ultrasonic frequency are operable, the main beam directions of the effective sound fields the aforementioned first and second surfaces and / or the surfaces of the container themselves have an angle of inclination of less than or equal to 180 ° and the first ultrasound frequency is different from the second ultrasound frequency is.

This is with the angle of inclination described the angle at which inside the container, so where the liquid or pasty Medium is housed, the respective surfaces meet.

These areas can be done in different ways be excited to vibrate, for example by coupling the entire area by means of a singular Vibration system, can be advantageous however on the outside of the container flat distributed ultrasonic transducers must be specified (see above).

For the case that the first or second surface is flat surfaces the angle between these surfaces is easy to determine.

For the case that the container curvatures or spherical Has sections and the first or second surface partially curved or partially spherical are (even if only for one area applies) the invention is to be understood such that initially for the first or second surface determines the main beam direction of the effective sound fields during operation or is determined, and then that between these main beam directions included angles the inclination angle essential to the invention represents.

It is emphasized again that on the first or second surface it is sufficient to accommodate one ultrasonic vibration system at a time, preferably can however, these are groups of several ultrasonic vibration systems.

Through simultaneous application of ultrasound energy of significantly different frequency, over areas of the containers at a certain angle to each other, there is a much better sound distribution in liquid or pasty Media achieved; anechoic zones, standing waves and reflections are largely avoided.

Advantageous configurations and Further developments result from the features of the subclaims and the embodiments.

A particularly advantageous development sees before that the angle of inclination is less than or equal to 120 °, particularly preferably less is equal to 90 °. in this connection can e.g. conventional forms for containers such as e.g. Troughs or barrels are used, each for example existing surfaces at right angles to each other with different Ultrasound frequencies are applied to the target of the present Achieve invention.

It is particularly advantageous here that the Difference of the low-frequency ultrasonic frequencies is clearly noticeable, for example preferably more than 1 kHz, particularly preferably more than 5 kHz or even more than 15 kHz.

For the container according to the invention come with usual tub or container shapes into consideration. However, there are also cuboid or any other Geometric shapes into consideration, which contain a liquid or pasty medium allow.

For example on the outside of the container can preferably flat distributed transducers can be arranged.

In a first embodiment is it possible that these ultrasonic vibrating systems each have the same frequency be excited so that on the first surface a first group of ultrasonic vibration system be excited with a first ultrasonic frequency and on a second area a second group of ultrasonic vibration systems with a second Ultrasound frequency are excited, which of the first ultrasound frequency is different. Of course it is also possible to intensify this effect even more, that on a third Area one further ultrasound frequency, which to the first and / or second Ultrasonic frequency is different, is operated.

After all, it is also possible that on the first or second surface each flat mixed ultrasonic vibration systems are attached, which with a first or second ultrasonic frequency. hereby will it be possible that in a first operating mode, the first surface, for example with the lower frequency of e.g. 25 kHz is operated and the second area with the higher frequency operated by 40 kHz while in a second operating mode, the first surface at 40 kHz and the second area is excited with 25 kHz.

The solution to the problem is that one for one Ultrasound treatment container with at least two, equipped with several low-frequency ultrasonic vibration systems and operated simultaneously, with the respective groups of Vibration systems of a surface work with an ultrasonic frequency, preferably by more than 15 kHz different from another group of vibrating systems of a surface and the main beam directions of the effective sound fields of the populated areas or also the areas themselves an angle of inclination to one another of preferably less than or equal to Have 120 °. It means that for example a container, which for a floor sound system with a group of 25 kHz vibration systems is provided, an additional Sidewall assembly with a group of vibration systems with a frequency of 40kHz receives and both groups are operated simultaneously.

The reverse of the arrangement of groups of vibrating systems of different frequencies at the same container is possible. For a intensely pronounced Cavitation fields are just the different radiation angle of the groups of vibrating systems as well as the clear frequency difference between groups and simultaneous operation important.

It is also an advantage if that Container different mutually inclined surfaces with vibration systems of different ultrasound frequencies. For example, this is just about a sloping floor or over side surfaces inclined to each other of the container conceivable. Pure polyhedron shapes are also used in the design of the container surfaces or combinations of polyhedron shapes useful and possible.

There can also be more than two faces of the container with vibration systems of significantly different ultrasound frequencies be equipped; for example with 25 kHz, 40 kHz and 55 kHz.

However, it should be in such cases care should be taken that there are two surfaces with groups of vibration systems do not face the same frequency directly.

In a rectangular container that would be Example the three side surfaces forming a corner point. at cylindrical and / or curved surfaces containers care must be taken that the respective normals of the cut surfaces of curved radiation surfaces from Groups with vibrating systems of different frequencies are also preferred have an angle of less than 120 ° to one another.

Through the appropriate positioning of groups of vibrating systems on cylindrical or spherical surfaces of containers focal lines or focal points can also be created in the medium, in which the ultrasonic energy reaches a maximum.

You can also have more than two surfaces or surface areas a container with groups of vibrating systems of different frequencies operated simultaneously, depending on the effort and intensity requirements the desired sound field.

A further embodiment of the solution according to the invention provides before that the groups of vibrating systems each have a frequency on two or more surfaces or surface areas of the container distribute so that a group-side change of direction any ultrasonic frequency can be achieved.

For example, a container shows Bottom and mixed groups of vibration systems on one side 25 kHz and 40 kHz, which operate mutually at the same time be that first the bottom works with 25 kHz and the side with 40 kHz and afterwards there is a reversal.

Usual technological means of attaching groups of low-frequency ultra Sound-vibrating systems on corresponding containers made of metal or plastic for an intended ultrasound treatment - for example via direct gluing, immersion transducer and vibration plate assemblies or composite panels - also allow different exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are, however, only shown and described in principle in the following figures. The detailed structure of conventional low-frequency ultrasonic vibration systems, their wiring and supply by means of several high-frequency generators is not explained and shown.

In the figures are the groups of vibrating systems different frequency due to different selected sizes of the ultrasonic vibration systems characterized.

1 schematically shows a conventional container ( 5 ) for sonication using ultrasound with a populated floor surface with a group of vibration systems of one frequency - for example 25 kHz ( 1 ).

2 shows the same container according to the invention ( 5 ) as in 1 , however, the one side wall is additionally equipped with another group of vibration systems with a significantly higher frequency, for example 40 kHz ( 2 ).

3 shows a container according to the invention 2 , the floor being clearly inclined, for example in the direction of an outlet.

4 shows according to the invention a cylindrical design of the container ( 5 ) with four different groups of vibration systems ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) of different frequencies, arranged on the floor and distributed by 120 ° on the cylindrical outer surface.

5 shows a container according to the invention ( 5 ) with side surfaces inclined towards the floor, exemplified with three groups of vibration systems ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) different frequencies on each surface.

The following is now again with slightly different words on the attached figures.

So describes 1 a cuboid-shaped container according to the prior art, which is covered on its underside with a group of vibration systems in order to introduce ultrasound energy into the pasty or liquid medium which can be filled inside the container.

2 shows a container according to the invention. This is a container 5 for sonication of liquid or pasty media that can be filled into the container by means of ultrasound with at least two surfaces each equipped with at least one ultrasound vibration system for emitting ultrasound energy into the liquid or pasty medium, F _{1 of} the container on a first surface 5 first ultrasonic vibration systems 1 with a first ultrasonic frequency and second ultrasonic vibration systems on a second surface F _{2 of} the container 2 can be operated with a second ultrasound frequency, the main beam directions of the effective sound fields of the aforementioned first and second surfaces or also the surfaces of the container 5 themselves have an inclination angle α of less than or equal to 180 ° and the first ultrasound frequency is different from the second ultrasound frequency.

The angle α in is the angle of inclination 2 drawn in, which is indicated between the first surface F ₁ and the second surface F ₂ . In the present collision of flat surfaces, it is easiest to indicate the ratio according to the invention by the angle α between F ₁ and F ₂ .

Of course, here too the main beam direction of the effective sound fields is the angle of inclination be specified, but this is particularly recommended for curved or spherical Surfaces.

In 2 is the relatively simple case of an angle α equal to 90 °, as is the case for particularly easy to produce containers.

The introduction of ultrasonic energy in the first or second surface takes place with groups of several ultrasonic vibration systems, which on the first or second surface flat distributed attached.

All of the above apply to the following figures 1 made statements, unless otherwise expressly stated below.

3 shows a further embodiment of a container 5 , the angle between the first surface F1 and the second surface F _{2 being} somewhat larger than 90 °, but smaller than 120 °.

4 shows two views of a barrel-shaped container.

For this purpose, a bottom view of the container is shown in the upper illustration and a front view of this container is shown in the lower illustration (for explanation: the designations F ₁ , F ₂ and α do not necessarily represent identical information in the front view and the bottom view). The view from the front clearly shows how corresponding between the first surface F ₁ and the second surface F ₂ 1 (albeit with the deviation that the second surface F _{2 is} curved here) there is a circumferential angle of 90 °.

Overall, the in 4 Embodiment shown four different groups of ultrasonic vibration systems attached, which can be operated with different ultrasonic frequency. It is entirely possible that all of the four groups are operated with a different ultrasound frequency. Depending on the performance requirements, it is possible to control two, three or even four of the groups simultaneously.

In 4 is shown in the bottom view of the container that a container 5 for loading Sounding of liquid or pasty media by means of ultrasound is given with at least two surfaces each equipped with at least one ultrasound vibration system for emitting ultrasound energy into the liquid or pasty medium. Here are on a first surface F ₁ (the surface on which the group of ultrasonic vibration systems 4 is attached) of the container 5 first ultrasonic vibration systems (group 4 ) can be operated with a first ultrasound frequency and on a second surface F ₂ (the surface on which the group 2 arranged by ultrasound systems can be operated with a second ultrasound frequency which is different from the first frequency. The main beam directions S ₁ and S _{2 of} the aforementioned first and second surfaces (that is, the surface segments on which the group 4 is attached or the group 2 attached) include the angle of inclination α, which in the sense of the invention excludes, for example, the angle between the surfaces F1 and F2 (based on the exemplary embodiment 1 ) corresponds. Here, a main beam direction is determined by the superimposition of the individual vibration systems (ie S ₁ or S ₂ ), the included solid angle between these main beam directions can be easily determined geometrically and should be less than or equal to 180 ° in the sense of the invention.

Finally shows 6 the "mixed" embodiment of ultrasonic vibration systems, shown here using a cuboid-shaped container. First ultrasonic vibration systems are distributed over the area F ₁ and F ₂ 1 and second ultrasonic vibration systems 2 distributed over the entire area. As already indicated above, this makes it possible for the surface F ₁ or the surface F ₂ to be excited alternatively with the respectively higher ultrasound frequency. For example, in a first operating mode, only the group can be on the first surface F ₁ 2 are excited with ultrasonic vibration systems (not the one designated by 1) and on the surface F ₂ only the group of ultrasonic systems which are identified by the reference symbol 1 is designated (for clarification: "1" means the smaller surveys and "2" the larger surveys).

A correspondingly different excitation can take place in the second operating mode. Here then only the excitation of the systems denoted by 1 will take place on the area F _{1 and} only an excitation of the systems denoted by the reference symbol on the area F ₂ 2 designated vibration systems take place.

With the arrangement according to the invention of at least two simultaneously operated low-frequency ultrasonic vibration systems or groups of these systems, each with a different frequency on different areas one for An ultrasound-provided container will be a significant improvement the sound distribution and intensity increase achieved. The developing Cavitation in the entire media volume is more intense and homogeneous.

Standing waves, anechoic zones and reflections are largely eliminated, the cleaning effect on homogeneous surfaces is very evened out by Ultrasound-initiated reactions are easier to control.

1

- Group of vibration systems with for example

frequency 25kHz

2

- Group of vibration systems with for example

frequency 40kHz

3

- Group of vibration systems with for example

frequency 55kHz

4

- Group of vibration systems with for example

frequency 70kHz

5

- Container for sonication

Claims (7)

Container ( 5 ) for sonication of liquid or patous media by means of ultrasound with at least two surfaces (F ₁ ; F ₂ ), each equipped with at least one ultrasound oscillation system, for emitting ultrasound energy into the liquid or pasty medium, the first surface (F ₁ ) of the Container's first ultrasonic vibration systems ( 1 ) can be operated with a first ultrasonic frequency and second ultrasonic vibration systems ( ₂ ) on a second surface (F ₂ ) of the container ( 2 ) can be operated with a second ultrasound frequency, the main beam direction of the effective sound fields of the aforementioned first and second surfaces and / or also the surfaces of the container itself have an inclination angle (α) to one another of less than or equal to 180 ° and the first ultrasound frequency is different from the second ultrasound frequency is. container according to protection claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination (α) less than or equal to 180 °, preferably less than or equal to 120 °, of which, particularly preferably, is less than or equal to 90 °. container according to one of the preceding claims for protection, characterized in that that the difference between the first and second ultrasound frequency more than 1 kHz, preferably more than 5 kHz, particularly preferably is more than 15 kHz. Container according to one of the preceding claims for protection, characterized in that on the first (F ₁ ) or the second surface (F ₂ ) groups of ultrasonic vibration systems on the respective Surface are arranged distributed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that more than two groups of vibration systems ( 1 ), ( 2 ), ( 3 ) or ( 4 ) the first and / or second surfaces of the container ( 5 ) are operated simultaneously. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groups of vibration systems ( 1 . 2 ) one frequency each is distributed over the first (F ₁ ) and / or second (F ₂ ) surfaces in such a way that a change in the direction of action of each ultrasound frequency can be achieved on the group side. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (F ₁ ) and / or second (F ₂ ) surfaces of the container ( 5 ) are flat, curved or spherical.