Abstract: A drying apparatus can include, in some aspects, an ultrasonic transducer and an infrared heater positioned proximate to the ultrasonic transducer and configured to emit infrared light. The drying apparatus can include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The drying apparatus can include a delivery enclosure defining a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a plurality of air outlets; the ultrasonic transducer mounted to the delivery enclosure; and the drying apparatus can include an air mover mounted to the delivery enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying a material, the apparatus including: an air-delivery enclosure with an air inlet and an air outlet through which forced air is directed toward the material; and an ultrasonic transducer connected to the air outlet of the air-delivery enclosure, the ultrasonic transducer including: a first inner surface; a second inner surface, the second inner surface facing the first inner surface, the first inner surface and the second inner surface defining an airflow path through the ultrasonic transducer; a first groove defined in a first inner surface, the first groove including a first flat portion; and a second groove defined in a second inner surface, the second groove including a second flat portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic head for indirectly drying a material, the acoustic head including at least one ultrasonic transducer facing the material, the material having a first side, and a second side, the second side opposite the first side, the second side defining a surface to be dried, the ultrasonic transducer positioned facing the first side; and an air delivery unit positioned facing the first side of the material.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer system includes: an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around a container configured to receive a material to be processed; and an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining an acoustic slot extending through the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic slot angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying a material, the apparatus including: an air-delivery enclosure with an air inlet and an air outlet through which forced air is directed toward the material; and an ultrasonic transducer connected to the air outlet of the air-delivery enclosure, the ultrasonic transducer including: a first inner surface; a second inner surface, the second inner surface facing the first inner surface, the first inner surface and the second inner surface defining an airflow path through the ultrasonic transducer; a first groove defined in a first inner surface, the first groove including a first flat portion; and a second groove defined in a second inner surface, the second groove including a second flat portion.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-transfer apparatus including: an acoustic chest, the acoustic chest defining an inner chamber sized to receive a material to be processed; and an acoustic device positioned within the acoustic chest and oriented to direct acoustic energy towards the material to be processed. A method for drying a material, the method including: positioning a material in an acoustic chest including an acoustic device; and directing acoustically energized air from the acoustic device at the material within the acoustic chest.

Abstract: A drying apparatus and method including heated airflow and ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged and operated for effectively breaking down the boundary layer to increase the heat transfer rate. The ultrasonic transducers are spaced from the material to be dried a distance of about (?)(n/4), where ? is the wavelength of the ultrasonic oscillations and n is an odd integer (i.e., 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.). In this way, the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillations is maximized to more-effectively agitate the boundary layer. In addition, the ultrasonic transducers are operated to produce about 120-190 dB (preferably, about 160-185 dB) at the interface surface of the material to be dried. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of a pneumatic type. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducers are of an electric type. And in other embodiments, infrared and/or UV light devices are included for further boundary layer disruption.