Abstract:
The invention relates to devices that produce displacements and/or forces (defined as actuators), when a magnetic field source(s) is (are) placed in such a way that the resulting magnetic field is of suitable strength and orientation in relation to the actuating element made from a Magneto-Mechanical Adaptive (MMA) material, so as to produce the desired displacement of the MMA element; or to devices that dampen mechanical vibrations by absorbing the vibration energy into an MMA element and/or by converting the vibration energy into electric power in the device and/or senses displacement, velocity or acceleration. The electric energy can be dissipated to heat or led out from the device. In the latter case, the device works as a power generator. The principle of using the devices as sensors is also described. The MMA material here is defined as a material whose dimensions change when a magnetic field or stress is applied to it, based on twin boundary or austenite-martensite phase boundary motion or magnetostriction.
Abstract:
Esta invención se refiere a un generador sónico y/o ultrasónico para emisión en aire con una capacidad de potencia y unas características de radiación que permiten obtener de forma segura y controlada, los niveles de presión acústica necesarios (>170dB ref. 2.10- 4 μbar) para la rotura mecánica de las burbujas de alta consistencia que constituyen las espumas industriales.
Abstract:
A method of generating acoustic oscillations based on the shock excitation of a magnetostrictive converter with a pulse electric signal. The electric signal is generated in the form of unidirectional half-cycles of cosinusoidal voltage having the length of one to two half-cycles of acoustic oscillations of the loaded converter. The frequency of the electric pulses is chosen equal or multiple to the frequency of the acoustic oscillations. A source of acoustic oscillations comprises a power supply unit (7), a pulse frequency unit (10) and an energy storage capacitor (6) to the plates of which the exciting winding (2) of a magnetostrictive converter (1) is connected through the power circuit of a commutating element (5). The source comprises as well an additional exciting winding (3) placed also on the magnetostrictive converter (1) and concordantly to the winding (2), an additional commutating element (8) and a unit (9) for control of the commutating elements. The additional winding (3) is connected to the plates of the capacitor (6) through the power circuit of the commutating element (8) and through the power supply unit (7), whereas the output of the pulse frequency unit (10) is connected to the input of the unit (9) for control of the commutating elements, the outputs of that unit being connected correspondingly to the control circuits of the commutating elements (5 and 8). The source of acoustic oscillations is intended preferably for ultrasound cleaning of heat exchangers from sediments.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a high-powered (e.g., > 500 W) ultrasonic generator for use especially for delivering high-power ultrasonic energy to a varying load including compressible fluids. The generator includes a variable frequency triangular waveform generator coupled with pulse width modulators. The output from the pulse width modulator is coupled with the gates of an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), which amplifies the signal and delivers it to a coil that is used to drive a magnetostrictive transducer. In one embodiment, high voltage of 0-600VDC is delivered across the collector and emitter of the IGBT after the signal is delivered. The output of the IGBT is a square waveform with a voltage of +/- 600V. This voltage is sent to a coil wound around the ultrasonic transducer. The voltage creates a magnetic field on the transducer and the magnetorestrictive properties of the transducer cause the transducer to vibrate as a result of the magnetic field. The use of the IGBT as the amplifying device obviates the need for a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) circuit, which is typically used in low powered ultrasonic transducers, and which would get overheated and fail in such a high-powered and load-varying application.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of operating a dental scalar system having a vibrating scaling tip by continuously monitoring the amplitude and frequency of vibration of the tip which provides scaling power to a tooth in a patient's mouth. The amplitude and frequency of vibration of the tip is continuously adjusted to maintain a substantially constant scaling power. Preferably, the insert is vibrated at its resonant frequency and the system provides a substantially constant tip motion while the user varies the applied pressure between the tip and the tooth.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the manufacture of composite electromechanical resonators with a very high vibratory amplitude. These transducers comprise an electric excitation unit (3) (piezoelectric or magnetostrictive). The metal masses (30 and 40) consist in whole or in part of ferromagnetic alloys selected for their low internal coefficient of friction. A double servo system makes it possible: to power the electric excitation at the resonant frequency of the resonator, whatever the latter's drift; to re-establish the maximum amplitudes of the mechanical vibrations, whatever the acoustic impedance and damping of the noiseless medium. Its operation is based on the magnetostrictive effect. In fact, the vibrations of the ferromagnetic mass (30) produce variations in the magnetisation in this material which are reflected by flux variations across the coil (60). The resultant induced current (20) correctly represents the state of vibration of the material. This current is subjected to a simple electronic treatment in the filter-dephaser (1) before being amplified in amplifier (2) powering the electric excitation unit (3). In addition, the electronic comparator (4) maintains the mechanical vibrations at their maximum amplitude through the action of the controlling device (5) which continuously rebalances the resonator at the level of the free end (31) of the damping mass (30) and may maintain the fixation plane in harmony with a nodal plane (6). These resonators constitute powerful ultrasonic generators and also facilitate the study of: high-amplitude vibrations and their propagation in various materials; the properties of these materials in the non-linear field and especially their fatigue and ageing.