| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating intense acoustic pulses by means of the water hammer effect. The method involves generating a water hammer in a conduit (5) by suddenly interrupting a high velocity flow of fluid through the conduit (5). The kinetic energy of the fluid flowing in the conduit (5) is converted into a high pressure pulse which propagates along the conduit away from the point (7) where the fluid flow was interrupted. The high pressure pulse deforms the wall of the conduit (5) so as to radiate acoustic energy away from the conduit into a fluid medium (11) surrounding the conduit. The relative amount of energy dissipated in the form of mass flow in the surrounding fluid (11) and acoustic energy in the surrounding fluid (11) can be adjusted by changing the characteristics of the conduit wall. The direction in which acoustic energy is radiated into the fluid medium (11) surrounding the conduit (5) can be set by making the conduit wall asymmetrical or by bending the conduit (5). Embodiments of the invention for acoustic cleaning, viscosity reduction in fluids and acoustic sedimentation are disclosed.</p> |
