Abstract:
A dental scaler comprises a hollow sleeve and, arranged inside it, a vibrating piezoelectric transducer bearing a scraper, the extremity of which protrudes from the sleeve, and includes an amplifier connected to the transducerk. The transducer includes a base, of a series of piezoelectric chips on the surfaces of which are arranged electrodes connected in such a manner as to define an input and an output, and a head to which the scraper is coupled. The amplifier has an input, an output and two feeder terminals receiving a low direct voltage by way of a cable connected to an external source of voltage. The output and input of the transducer are connected, respectively, to the input and the output of the amplifier to form an oscillator, the frequency of which is determined by the resonant frequency of the transducer coupled to the scraper.
Abstract:
A method of and system for sonifying a portion of a given area to rid the area of unwanted pests comprising providing at least one ultrasonic point source each producing a set of pulsed signals having a randomly varying frequency in the range of about 18-30 KHz and having an intensity of at least 90 dB at the periphery of a cone shaped area extending outwardly therefrom and having a predetermined maximum length and a predetermined maximum width. The point sources are spaced in the given area to maintain the minimum sound intensity level at any point in the sonified portion at not less than 90 dB by disposing point sources opposite one another when the distance therebetween is greater the maximum length, disposing point sources adjacent one another to effect a longitudinal overlapping of adjacent cones when the room width is greater than the maximum width and disposing point sources perpendicular to the adjacent point sources to sonify any dead space therebetween.
Abstract:
The output of a single sonic generator is rotated to different transducers separately located on a diaphragm of a tank containing cleaning fluid. The rotating of the output to different transducers establishes a ripple action in the cleaning fluid to vary energy levels at any given location within the tank. The varying energy levels allows the gas formed within the fluid to rise to the top of the cleaning fluid in a process called degassing. Rotation of the output may be accomp lished by interrupting the output of the sonic generator and, while the output is interrupted, to switch the connection to another transducer. The switching of the output of the sonic generator from transducer to transducer varies the standing wave pattern, thereby allowing the gas to rise to the surface. The interrupting of the sonic output and the switching action are accomplished by specially designed solid state circuits to obtain optimum performance.
Abstract:
Two ultrasonic transducers are pulsed from respective capacitor discharge circuits which are driven from a single high voltage, high speed, silicon-controlled rectifier switch. Low-power current shunting switches are operable to selectively disable the capacitor discharge circuits and their associated transducers.
Abstract:
A phased ultrasonic transducer and method for transmitting sound or ultrasound through a gaseous medium into a solid spectrum with ultrasound beam steering and focusing.
Abstract:
A humidifier includes a water supply and a nebulizer bank having a plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers, where each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers is in fluid communication with the water supply and is structurally configured for breaking up water in liquid form into aerosol droplets for humidifying a volume. The humidifier may further include a controller in communication with each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers to selectively activate each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers independently from one another, where the controller is configured to stage activation of one or more of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers while accounting for at least one of: (i) a time from startup to a production of an aerosol droplet for each ultrasonic nebulizer; (ii) a threshold power consumption for the humidifier; (iii) a temperature of a component of the humidifier; and (iv) a predetermined humidity of the volume.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a driver device (40) for driving a load (52) having a plurality of separate capacitive load elements (52), in particular an ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements (52), comprising: input terminals (44, 46) for connecting the driver device (40) to power supply (48); a plurality of output terminals (50) each for connecting the driver device (40) to one of load elements (52), a first controllable switch (54) connected to a first of the input terminals (44), and a plurality of driving elements (42) each having a second controllable switch (60) and a resistor (58) connected in series to each other, wherein each of the driving elements (42) is connected in series with the first controllable switch (54) and to a second of the input terminals (46), and wherein each of the output terminals (50) is connected to one of the driving elements (42) for powering the load elements (52).
Abstract:
Embodiments shown and described herein relate, in general, to systems and methods for driving ultrasonic transducers and, more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling the output of high power ultrasonic transducers and improving performance of ultrasonic systems.
Abstract:
A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) cell comprising three electrodes: a first electrode coupled to a cell membrane; a second electrode embedded into a cell floor opposing the first electrode and separated therefrom by a gas or vacuum cavity; and a third electrode opposing the second electrode on the cavity side, wherein a dielectric layer is sandwiched between the second electrode and the third electrode to create a capacitive relation between the second electrode and the third electrode. The three electrode CMUT cell provides an ultrasound transducer with two actively driven (controlled) electrodes.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method associated with amplifying piezoelectric sonic and ultrasonic outputs is presented which provides high power output from piezoelectric devices, especially at high ultrasonic frequencies, in open air, which mitigates or eliminates overheating of the piezoelectric devices when stimulated at or near their peak outputs for extended periods. In addition, the invention provides a means of amplifying a piezoelectric sonic and ultrasonic device if a desired output power exceeds a normal maximum capability of the piezoelectric device.