Abstract: A method and devices comprise a low frequency high energy ultrasound system having at least one sonotrode projecting into a reactor vessel through which the liquid passes via at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. To avoid cavitation at the sonotrode, in a close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure/amplitude combination close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line is generated at which considerably reduced or no cavitation occurs and in the adjacent region in the vessel at least in a region and at least at times a pressure/amplitude combination is maintained below the pressure-amplitude characteristic line at which cavitation is generated. A device has an inlet orifice arranged such that the liquid impacts directly onto the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface, and is shaped that in the close region of the oscillation-transducing sonotrode surface a pressure close to or above the pressure-amplitude characteristic line prevails.

Abstract: A power transfer device adapted for interconnection with the electrical system of a building includes a cabinet, a set of switches mounted to the cabinet, and wires adapted to connect the switches to an electrical distribution panel associated with a building electrical system. The power transfer device includes a compartment associated with the cabinet, and a selectively configurable cover arrangement for interconnection with the cabinet so as to enclose the compartment. The cover arrangement varies according to the characteristics or parameters of the power transfer device, to provide an optional plug-type power input and an optional power input monitoring arrangement, either alone or in combination with each other, or to provide neither capability. The cover arrangement includes a series of differently configured cover sections which can be mounted to the cabinet in varying combinations, so as to vary the capability of the power transfer device.

Abstract: A sonicator apparatus having a signal generator for generating high frequency sound waves to a convertor which transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy in the form of oscillations to a horn having a probe immersed in a sample disposed in a sample holder includes a shielding arrangement having one end sealed against the convertor and another end sealed against the sample container and defining an aerosol containment chamber for preventing aerosols generated by oscillation of the probe in the sample from becoming airborne. The apparatus further includes a self centering device to insure proper disposition of the probe relative to the sample holder and use of a partial vacuum to provide a more efficient evacuation of aerosols from the chamber and simultaneously diminish noise levels. An enclosure provided with sound absorbing foam enhances the reduction of noise.

Abstract: A device for mixing fluid materials using chaotic flow combined with sonic energy. The device includes sine wave baffles to produce mixing by folding, stretching and breaking the material as it continuously flows and simultaneously chopping the mixed material with vorticular motion using pressure fronts produced by sonic energy generators.

Abstract: A sonic generator comprises a resonant bar, a housing and magnetic excitation units connected between the resonant bar and the housing. The magnetic excitation units are connected to the bar at highly stressed points using a mounting connection which is a sleeve having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the bar. A resilient elastomer such as urethane is mounted between the sleeve and the resonant member. The sonic generator may be used for grinding purposes and, in particular, may be used to grind material exceptionally fine with reduced power consumption. The bar is substantially unrestrained so as to allow substantially free vibration.

Abstract: An elastic bar member is coupled to an orbiting mass oscillator and the entire assembly is suspended from a cable or the like such that the bar member has freedom of lateral motion and is nakedly immersed in a slurry having particulate material contained therein such as a mineral ore reject from which metal has been extracted. The rotor of the orbiting mass oscillator is driven at a speed such as to generate cycloidal sonic energy in the bar preferably at a frequency such as to set up resonant standing wave vibration of the bar in a cycloidal quadrature pattern. The cycloidal vibrational energy tends to set the surrounding fluid material into a whirling rotation or rotary traveling wave which facilitates the agglomeration or coagulation of the particles in the material and enhances the settling operation to make for more complete separation of the particles from the liquid.

Abstract: An elastic bar member is clamped to an orbiting mass oscillator and the entire assembly is suspended from a cable or the like such that the bar member has freedom of lateral motion and is nakedly immersed in a leachant having a material contained therein such as a mineral ore from which metal is to be extracted. The rotor of the orbiting mass oscillator is driven at a speed such as to generate cycloidal sonic energy in the bar preferably at a frequency such as to set up resonant standing wave vibration of the bar in a cycloidal nutating pattern. The cycloidal vibrational energy tends to set the surrounding fluid material into a whirling rotation or rotary traveling wave which facilitates the mixing of the ore and leachant and enhances the leaching operation to make for more complete separation of the mineral from the ore.

Abstract: A screw shaped rotor is freely mounted for rolling rotation in a mating screw shaped stator which is mounted in a housing. The rotor is rotatably driven by means of a fluid stream to generate sonic energy in the housing with a lateral mode of vibration at a frequency which is the function of the rate of fluid flow. The oscillator housing is coupled to the load which it drives uniformly along the entire length of the oscillator. The drive fluid for the oscillator is coupled thereto through a flexible coupling such as a section of rubber hose so that this coupled end of the oscillator is not substantially constrained against lateral vibration and is free to vibrate laterally along with the rest of the housing. The oscillator housing may be coupled along its entire length to the load to be vibrationally driven or can be suspended in a liquid which is to be vibrationally energized.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotor is mounted for rotation in a raceway formed in the inside wall of a housing, the outside diameter of the rotor being only slightly less than the inside diameter of the raceway so that the rotor substantially fills the housing. One or more relatively high mass cylindrical rollers is each contained in a cavity or pocket formed in the outer wall of the rotor, each such roller being free to roll within its pocket and to move radially outwardly by virtue of the centrifugal force generated and to roll around in the raceway with the rotor and roller or rollers filling the housing and riding somewhat closely against the housing wall. This effectively fills all of the space in the housing and prevents the formation of a fluid filled "traveling" space in the housing thereby minimizing roller drag due to fluid turbulence.

Abstract: Three or more (preferably an even number) of hollow vibration bars are joined together at one end thereof with the bars spaced from each other and with their longitudinal axes in substantially parallel relationship. Each of the bars has an unbalanced rotor mounted therein which when rotatably driven will generate vibrational energy in the associated bar. The similar rotors of the bars are phased with relationship to each other to generate a combined vibrational force pattern in a liquid in which the bars are immersed which affords optimum agitation of the liquid in an omnidirectional manner. The vibration at the juncture between the multiple bars is kept at a minimum by virtue of the cancellation of the force vectors generated by the bar members at this point.

Abstract: Within a tubing string forming a conduit for a well is a rod string having sonically responsive impeller pump elements mounted thereon. The impeller pumps employ an elongated cylindrical structure which is spaced from the inner wall of the conduit to form an elongated annular liquid filled gap between the impeller and the conduit. The rod is sonically driven so that it vibrates resonantly. Valves are formed in the impeller, which in one embodiment may comprise a series of ball elements, in another, may comprise flexible reeds, these valve elements being opened and closed in response to the sonic energy to implement the pumping action, and in a third embodiment may comprise arcuate segments that are free to expand and contract radially in response to the sonic energy.

Abstract: A rotary air roller vibrator is depicted in which a housing has a cylindrical bore closed by two inner end plates which form a chamber. An axial shaft is fixed between these end plates and has a longitudinally disposed slot within which is slideably mounted a vane having a plurality of formed side-opening slots that are opened when the vane is lifted under the influence of pressurized air. A cylindrical rotor having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft is also sized so that the outer diameter is carried on two races pressed into place at the ends of the housing. These races are sized to prevent the rotor from striking the shaft. Each of these end plates has outer exhaust apertures arrayed in a three-quarter circle pattern and in secured position these apertures are aligned.

Abstract: A liquid impervious covering such as a plastic membrane or a concrete flooring is installed over an extensive substantially level area of ground and mined metal ore heaped onto this covering to form a mound. A leachant liquid solution is poured onto the ore and permitted to thoroughly penetrate the ore material. This end result is achieved either by forming a crater on the top of the ore material which is filled with the leachant solution which is allowed to ooze through the ore material, or by feeding the solution from sprinklers located around the mound until the ore material is thoroughly wetted. When the ore material has been wetted with the leachant, sonic energy is applied to the ore material by means of a sonically excited elastic pipe or bar member which is lowered into the mound by means of a crane and sonically driven by means of an orbiting mass oscillator.

Abstract: A unit, which generates sonic energy for use in the leaching or extraction of minerals from ore, is mounted in a tank which contains the leaching solution and the ore. The unit has a housing in which a solid bar is supported by means of a rod which fits into a bored out bottom portion of the bar which is along the longitudinal axis thereof, as well as a plurality of resilient lateral spoke members which protrude inwardly from the housing and abut against the bar. An orbiting mass oscillator is mounted on the bar on the top end thereof and is rotatably driven to effect resonant standing wave vibration of the bar in a quadrature nutating vibration mode. The oscillator is positioned above the leaching solution and the ore so that it is free therefrom, the rod member used to support the bar and the resilient lateral support members being abutted against the bar at nodes of the standing wave vibration pattern established in the bar to minimize energy losses into the housing.

Abstract: Process and means to enhance fluid coverage of surfaces in industrial applications. Generation of a directed force field is employed to provide removal of surface air, improve surface wetting of a fluid, and consolidation and densification of fibrous structures.Apparatus of the invention is described which provides vibratory forces of appreciable magnitude and super-audio frequency and applied to solid, fluid and gaseous combinations, to displace surface gas and promote fluid contact with the solid surface. Apparatus of the invention facilitates the generation and application of the vibratory energy to composite structures of synthetic or natural fibers with a fluid resinous material.

Abstract: A tubing string forming a conduit is installed within a well. Contained within the tubing string and vibrationally isolated therefrom is a rod string. Mounted on the rod string and spaced therealong at intervals which are less than a quarter wavelength at the resonant vibration frequency of the rod string are a series of sonically responsive impeller pump elements. The rod string is suspended in the tubing string from a vibration generator comprising an orbiting mass oscillator. The orbiting mass oscillator is operated at a frequency such as to cause resonant standing wave vibration at the rod string, the vibrational energy causing the impeller elements to drive fluid from the well up the tubing string.

Abstract: A barodynamic resonator for cavitating water in a liquid mixture to form a stable emulsion. The resonator comprises a resonator body defining a chamber therein. A resonant element is adjustably supported in the chamber. An inlet nozzle admits the mixture under pressure within the chamber to form a hollow spray pattern that impinges on the resonant element to cause the resonant element to resonate at a frequency sufficient to cause the water to cavitate into finer water globules to form a stable emulsion. An outlet port is provided in the body and communicates with the chamber to provide for the outflow of the stable emulsion therefrom.

Abstract: A streaming vibrator with an uninterrupted rolling area and an unloaded blade. The vibrator has a housing with a cylindrical cavity defined therein. End plates laterally limit the cavity and support a central pipe having a periphery coaxial with a rolling area defined by the wall of the cylindrical cavity. A bore of the pipe is connectable to a source of pressurized fluid, and the pipe has an opening positioned between the end plates to provide communication between the bore and the cylindrical cavity. A freely rotatable scutching member formed as a hollow cylinder is positioned in the space between the central pipe and the rolling area. A blade extends through the opening in the pipe into contact with an interior wall of the scutching member to divide the cavity into two components. A plurality of channels are formed in the blade and oriented away from outlet openings formed in the end plates.

Abstract: A vibrator, actuated by a pressure fluid to impart oscillations to a working platform carrying the material being handled, comprises a stationary base on which an elastic member is mounted on the side facing said working platform so as to adjoin the working platform, said elastic member being made as a closed-contour collar having a lateral surface. Provision is also made for a working chamber defined by said base and said elastic member and communicating with a source of pressure fluid. It is the pressure fluid which makes the elastic member oscillate and imparts vibrating motion to said working platform.

Abstract: A mechanical vibrator or tapper is shown in which a high intensity permanent magnet armature moves within the field of a coil of wire wound about the magnet. The magnet is guided for reciprocal motion within a spool containing the winding and strikes impact pads at opposite ends of the central spool opening. The magnet consists of two permanent magnets bonded to one another with like poles facing one another and is freely movable within the spool opening and is guided therein. A permanent magnet is fixed at one end of the spool opening and forces the permanent magnet assembly to reverse its motion after the magnet field of the winding drives the armature magnet against the impact pad at that end of the spool opening, and the magnetic field of the coil goes to zero. An oscillator circuit for driving the system is contained on printed circuit boards mounted within the housing which encloses the vibrator structure. The housing is crimped together in its final assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus including a container for a cleaning solution with an ultrasonic vibrating member mounted therein, the vibrating member having at least three sides with at least one ultrasonic transducer attached to the inner surface of each side.