ACOUSTIC PRE-CONDITIONER

摘要

Devices and methods for pre-conditioning and/or post-conditioning a host fluid containing a second fluid or particulate are disclosed. The devices include a flow chamber having first opening and a particulate outlet. The devices can also include side openings and alignment, fluid, and particulate screens. An ultrasonic transducer can be driven to create an acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber, or alternatively be driven to excite the wall of the flow chamber in which it is located. This creates a uniformly stratified flow within the flow chamber, with the second fluid or particulate being aligned in planes in the fluid mixture. This permits the host fluid to be separated therefrom using the fluid screen and the particulate screen.

主权项

1. An acoustophoretic device, comprising:
a flow chamber having a particulate outlet at a first end of the flow chamber and a first opening at a second end of the flow chamber opposite the first end thereof; at least one ultrasonic transducer located on a wall of the flow chamber, the at least one ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create an acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber; a reflector located on a wall on the opposite side of the flow chamber from the at least one ultrasonic transducer; at least one side opening located on a wall of the flow chamber between the reflector and the at least one ultrasonic transducer; a fluid screen located between the particulate outlet and the flow chamber, the fluid screen including a plurality of slots therein.