Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing substrates using acoustic energy. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for processing flat articles including a support for supporting the flat article and an acoustic energy treatment apparatus. The acoustic energy treatment apparatus may include a support arm and a plurality of transducer assemblies coupled thereto. The transducer assemblies may include a housing with a transducer coupled thereto, and the housings of the transducer assemblies may be arranged in an end-to-end manner. A trough may also be included that extends along at least a portion of a length of the transducer assemblies. The trough may serve as a reservoir that upon being filled and overflowed with a liquid allows the liquid to fluidly couple the transducer assemblies to the flat article.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing substrates using acoustic energy. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for processing flat articles including a support for supporting the flat article and an acoustic energy treatment apparatus. The acoustic energy treatment apparatus may include a support arm and a plurality of transducer assemblies coupled thereto. The transducer assemblies may include a housing with a transducer coupled thereto, and the housings of the transducer assemblies may be arranged in an end-to-end manner. A trough may also be included that extends along at least a portion of a length of the transducer assemblies. The trough may serve as a reservoir that upon being filled and overflowed with a liquid allows the liquid to fluidly couple the transducer assemblies to the flat article.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing substrates using acoustic energy. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for processing flat articles including a support for supporting the flat article and an acoustic energy treatment apparatus. The acoustic energy treatment apparatus may include a support arm and a plurality of transducer assemblies coupled thereto. The transducer assemblies may include a housing with a transducer coupled thereto, and the housings of the transducer assemblies may be arranged in an end-to-end manner. A trough may also be included that extends along at least a portion of a length of the transducer assemblies. The trough may serve as a reservoir that upon being filled and overflowed with a liquid allows the liquid to fluidly couple the transducer assemblies to the flat article.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing articles utilizing acoustic energy. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus comprising a support; a conduit for applying a fluid to a surface of the article; and a transducer assembly comprising: a transmitting structure having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface; a first acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the first acoustic transducer is configured to create a first acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the first acoustic transducer is energized; and a second acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the second acoustic transducer is configured to create a second acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the second acoustic transducer is energized.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for processing substrates using acoustic energy. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for processing flat articles including a support for supporting the flat article and an acoustic energy treatment apparatus. The acoustic energy treatment apparatus may include a support arm and a plurality of transducer assemblies coupled thereto. The transducer assemblies may include a housing with a transducer coupled thereto, and the housings of the transducer assemblies may be arranged in an end-to-end manner. A trough may also be included that extends along at least a portion of a length of the transducer assemblies. The trough may serve as a reservoir that upon being filled and overflowed with a liquid allows the liquid to fluidly couple the transducer assemblies to the flat article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing articles utilizing acoustic energy. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus comprising a support; a conduit for applying a fluid to a surface of the article; and a transducer assembly comprising: a transmitting structure having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface; a first acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the first acoustic transducer is configured to create a first acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the first acoustic transducer is energized; and a second acoustic transducer having a convex bottom surface bonded to the concave inner surface of the transmitting structure, wherein the second acoustic transducer is configured to create a second acoustically active area on the convex outer surface of the transmitting structure when the second acoustic transducer is energized.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for processing substrates using acoustic energy. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for processing flat articles comprising: a support supporting a flat article; a dispenser applying liquid to a first surface of the flat article; a transducer assembly comprising: a transmitting structure having a longitudinal axis; a first set of transducers acoustically coupled to the transmitting structure in a spaced apart manner on a first side of the longitudinal axis; a second set of transducers acoustically coupled to the transmitting structure in a spaced apart manner on a second side of the longitudinal axis; the transducers of the first and second sets staggered along the longitudinal axis; and wherein when the dispenser applies liquid to the first surface of the flat article, a film of liquid is formed between the transmitting structure and the first surface of the flat article.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing articles with acoustic energy and a method of constructing a transducer that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of constructing a device for generating acoustic energy comprising: providing a layer of supporting material; positioning a piezoelectric material atop the layer of adhesive material; cutting the piezoelectric material into a plurality of pillars so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; and filling the spaces with a resilient material to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: A transducer, system and method of constructing the same that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for generating acoustic energy comprising: a plurality of pillars constructed of a piezoelectric material, the pillars arranged in a spaced-apart manner so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; the pillars having a width and a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the height of the pillars is greater than the width of the pillars; and the spaces filled with a resilient material so as to form a composite assembly.

Abstract: A transducer, system and method of constructing the same that utilizes a composite of piezoelectric pillars. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for generating acoustic energy comprising: a plurality of pillars constructed of a piezoelectric material, the pillars arranged in a spaced-apart manner so that spaces exist between adjacent pillars; the pillars having a width and a height extending between a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the height of the pillars is greater than the width of the pillars; and the spaces filled with a resilient material so as to form a composite assembly.