Powerful ultrasounds
â– Industrial applications and uses of powerful ultrasounds, which appeared in the 1950s, have developed mainly in cleaning and soldering. The development of modelling techniques, and material performances linked to electronic progress offer new perspectives for using ultrasounds in industry. Powerful ultrasounds modify the environment in which they propagate. Their action on their environment is mechanical, thermal or chemical. Ultrasounds are a particular form of energy with multiple functions depending on their implementation. In solid environments, they produce heat (soldering) and a vibration bringing about a modification of the apparent friction coefficient or declogging; in liquid environments they bring about cavitation, which causes a high rise in local temperature and a pressure wave that is thousands times more than atmospheric pressure; in gas environments, over short distances, they create very intense acoustic fields and can thus spray liquids, de-agglomerate powders, agglomerate suspension particles, etc.
This survey provides an update on powerful ultrasound technology. The first part recalls a few fundamental notions, describes the technology implemented and methods for designing units. A second part is devoted to the properties and applications of material-ultrasound interactions. Lastly, the survey provides a report on technological trends, applications by sector of activity and provides a list of the main players in the field.
- Publication: September 1998
- ISBN: 2-906024-52-X