Abstract: An ultrasonic system includes generator means for ultrasonic microvibrations; waveguide means connected to and extending away from the generator means to bend at least in part; an operating element joined to a stationary bending node, so that flexural microvibrations are transmitted by the waveguide means to the operating element as alternating torsional or flexural microvibrations.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer in which a plurality of pMUT cells are arranged. The pMUT cells have a plurality of resonance frequencies. Each of the pMUT cells includes a piezoelectric film that is polarized in a first direction that is a thickness direction or a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ultrasonic sensors, ultrasonic sensing devices and display devices. The ultrasonic sensor includes an array of thin film transistors in which first electrodes are disposed, a piezoelectric material, and second electrodes. In order to generate ultrasonic waves and perform sensing, the second electrode is disposed in a patterned structure in which the second electrode is divided into multiple second electrodes, and a high voltage in the form of pulse is applied to the second electrode. Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a high voltage is not applied to the array of thin film transistors; therefore, it is possible to reduce or overcome degradation of circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability and lifetime of the circuit elements disposed in the array of thin film transistors, while performing sensing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic oscillating unit that comprises a cylindrical base body having a center axis and a jacket surface into which a plurality of slits are introduced that extend obliquely to the center axis in a side view of the jacket surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic vibration system (1) comprising a sonotrode which has two sonotrode end faces (8, 8?) and a circumferential lateral surface that connects said sonotrode end faces (8, 8?) with each other. The sonotrode has an elongate core element (2) and at least one wing element (3, 4), each core element (2) and wing element (3, 4) longitudinally extending from the one sonotrode end face (8) to the other sonotrode end face (8?). The wing element (3, 4) has a sealing surface (7) which is designed to be in contact with a material for the purpose of processing same and which is connected to the core element (2) via a plurality of longitudinally interspaced connecting portions (5, 6). The ultrasonic vibration system further comprises a converter (9) which is optionally connected to the sonotrode via an amplitude transformer (11). According to the invention, the converter (9) or the amplitude transformer (11) is connected to the lateral surface of the sonotrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system includes a base member, a plurality of sensors, and one or more processors. The plurality of sensors are provided on the base member, and detect an elastic wave from a test object of a plurality of test objects. The elastic wave propagates through a connecting member among a plurality of connecting members that connect the test objects with the base member. The connecting members each have a thickness smaller than a wavelength of the elastic wave. The one or more processors detect an abnormality of the test objects based on the detected elastic wave.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer-embedded organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel having excellent sensitivity and that is capable of providing high frequency output and biometric recognition is provided. An OLED panel may include a substrate, an OLED light emitting part on the substrate, the OLED light emitting part configured to emit visible light, and an ultrasonic output part between the substrate and the OLED light emitting part, the ultrasonic output part including an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic waves according to an excitation voltage. The ultrasonic transducer may be a capacitive ultrasonic transducer or a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. An OLED panel may include multiple ultrasonic transducers, and a control system may selectively control one or more ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers based on a determination of whether to implement recognition of a three-dimensional gesture or touch recognition of an object in contact with the OLED panel.

Abstract: An elliptical ultrasonic machining device powered by non-contact induction mainly includes an induction power supply device and an elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank, wherein: induction power supply secondary units of the induction power supply device encircle a spindle shank shell of the elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank; induction power supply primary units are arranged at a primary magnetic core seat outside the elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank; the primary magnetic core seat and the elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank have a same circle center, and a small gap exists between the primary magnetic core seat and the elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank; the primary magnetic core seat is fastened on a machine tool spindle seat of a machine tool through a support and keeps still; the elliptical ultrasonic spindle shank is mounted on a machine tool spindle through a taper shank and rotates with the spindle in a high speed.

Abstract: An image processing method includes a first step of matching the image to the target surface, a second step of dividing the target surface into a plurality of preliminary divided regions, a third step of acquiring a first preliminary divided region among the plurality of preliminary divided regions, a fourth step of dividing the target surface into a plurality of final divided regions, on the basis of a preliminary divided image included in the first preliminary divided region of the image matched to the target surface, and a fifth step of setting a print starting position for respective final divided images included in the plurality of final divided regions by using a boundary line that defines the plurality of final divided regions.

Abstract: A device (10?) for welding components by ultrasound. The device (10?) comprises a sonotrode (11?) having a sonotrode head (12?), which can be excited by a vibration generator to produce torsion vibrations with respect to a torsion axis (T). At least one welding surface (14?) is arranged on the peripheral side on the sonotrode head (12?) with respect to the torsion axis (T). The device (10?) also comprises a support device (15?) which supports the sonotrode head (11?) in a support area (16?), which contains a vibration node of the sonotrode head (12?). The support area (16?) and the welding surface (14?) at least partially extend along a common plane (E) which extends perpendicular to the torsion axis (T). A device (10?) for welding components by ultrasound by using a temperature control device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A positive feed tool may include a motor, a power supply operably coupled to the motor to power the motor, a gear head and a spindle. The gear head may be operably coupled to the motor to be operated responsive to powering of the motor. The gear head may include a drive assembly and a feed assembly. The spindle may be operably coupled to the gear head to enable the spindle to be selectively driven rotationally and fed axially based on operation of the drive assembly and the feed assembly, respectively. The feed assembly may include an electronically controlled variable feed rate oscillator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer as an important part of an ultrasonic flow meter is described, with a transducer housing and with a transducer element, the transducer housing having an ultrasound window and a housing tube, the transducer element being made for sending or receiving ultrasonic waves and being either near the ultrasound window of the transducer housing or away from the ultrasound window of the transducer housing, there being a relatively soft mechanical coupling system and the mechanical coupling system having preferably at least one weakly coupled mechanical resonator. The ultrasonic transducer is improved with respect to the prevention of the transmission of housing waves by there being a second soft mechanical coupling system.

Abstract: The design of the free-mass in an ultrasonic driller/corer (USDC) has been refined in order to improve the performance and operational reliability of the system. In one embodiment, the improvements in performance and operational reliability include decreasing the impact surface area of the free-mass to increase the transfer of impact energy from the piezoelectric transducer and reductions in the likelihood that the system will jam.

Abstract: A monolithic ultrasonic horn where the horn, backing, and pre-stress structures are combined in a single monolithic piece is disclosed. Pre-stress is applied by external flexure structures. The provision of the external flexures has numerous advantages including the elimination of the need for a pre-stress bolt. The removal of the pre-stress bolt eliminates potential internal electric discharge points in the actuator. In addition, it reduces the chances of mechanical failure in the actuator stacks that result from the free surface in the hole of conventional ring stacks. In addition, the removal of the stress bolt and the corresponding reduction in the overall number of parts reduces the overall complexity of the resulting ultrasonic horn actuator and simplifies the ease of the design, fabrication and integration of the actuator of the present invention into other structures.

Abstract: A drilling head (1) with an axial oscillation generator, includes a mounting (2) for coupling the head to a motor for rotating the mounting about an axis, the mounting (2) having a longitudinal axis (5) coinciding with the axis of rotation of the motor, a tool holder (3), an elastically deformable element (6) for retaining the tool holder (3) in the mounting (2) and an element (7) for guiding the tool holder (3) in the mounting (2) along the longitudinal axis (5) of the mounting, wherein the mounting of the drilling head includes a controlled generator (8) of reciprocating movements in the direction of the aforementioned axis (5) positioned between the mounting (2) and the tool holder, the tool holder and the generator being connected by a longitudinal coupling member (9) suitable for damping the impacts withstood by the tool holder while enabling the transmission of the reciprocating movements.

Abstract: An electromechanical motor includes an actuator assembly and a body to be driven in a driving direction. The actuator assembly has an actuator backing, a first actuator and a second actuator. The actuators are mechanically attached by a respective single attachment to the actuator backing at a first end of the actuators. The actuators have a respective interaction portion constituting a second end opposite to the first end in an actuator direction transverse to the driving direction. The interaction portions are arranged for interaction with an interaction surface of the body by a respective contact area. The actuators include a respective unimorph member arranged for causing a movement of the respective contact area as a response of a respective electrical signal. The respective movements are transverse to the actuator direction, to the driving direction, and to each other.

Abstract: An ultrasonic reactor system with an appropriately designed reactor chamber used in conjunction with a compatible ultrasonic Barbell Horn or its derivative that provides a significant efficiency increase and an intensification of sonochemical and sonomechanical processes is disclosed. These enhancements arise from the ability of the reactor chamber to direct all treated liquid media through the highly active ultrasonic cavitation region located near the surface of the horn, as well as from several improvements in the Barbell Horn design that significantly increase its longevity and in its output surface area, thereby increasing the total size of the active cavitation region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of piezoelectric transducer subassemblies and systems primarily intended for medical and dental applications. The invention also provides transducer subassemblies and systems with improved performance and a capability to operate more efficiently in torsional or a combined longitudinal-torsional mode of vibration. The invention enables the size and weight of torsional mode transducers to be reduced. Additionally, the electrical characteristics of these transducer systems are improved, thus enabling the transducer end effector to deliver more power to the operative site.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of piezoelectric transducer subassemblies and systems primarily intended for medical and dental applications. The invention also provides transducer subassemblies and systems with improved performance and a capability to operate more efficiently in torsional or a combined longitudinal-torsional mode of vibration. The invention enables the size and weight of torsional mode transducers to be reduced. Additionally, the electrical characteristics of these transducer systems are improved, thus enabling the transducer end effector to deliver more power to the operative site.

Abstract: A Langevin transducer horn uses split electroding or selective electroding of transducer elements and phase relationships of the voltages applied thereto to determine the relative longitudinal and flexural/transverse motion induced in the tip of the horn.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises an elongate horn, a counterpiece, two piezoelectric drives and a screw. The counterpiece is fastened to the horn by means of the screw and thus clamps the piezoelectric drives, which are arranged on either side of a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer, between the horn and the counterpiece. The ultrasonic transducer is designed in such a way that the tip of a capillary which is clamped in the horn can oscillate in two different directions.

Abstract: A system and a retrofit kit for removing debris from a surface of a material. At least one vibration subunit is provided which is either embedded within or operatively connected to a back surface of the material. The vibration subunits are capable of converting a driving energy to a vibrating mechanical output energy which is coupled to the material. At least one external energy source is provided which is operatively connected to the vibration subunits. The external energy source is capable of providing the driving energy to the vibration subunits. The vibrating mechanical energy is capable of causing debris to be removed from the surface of the material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic actuator may be provided in which generation of a stress is prevented in the connection face of the piezoelectric element between the electrodes and the conductive members. The ultrasonic actuator includes a piezoelectric element (P1) and flexible cables (F1). The piezoelectric element (P1) includes: a piezoelectric layer (1); a power supply electrode (2) provided on a principal surface of the piezoelectric layer (1); a counter electrode (3) provided to face the power supply electrode (2) with the piezoelectric layer (1) interposed therebetween; a power supply external electrode (4) which is provided on a short-side surface of the piezoelectric element (P1), and is electrically coupled to the power supply electrode (2); and a counter external electrode (5) which is provided on a short-side surface of the piezoelectric element (P1), and is electrically coupled to the counter electrode (3).

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor produces elliptical vibration by inducing longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration at the same time and drives a driven body by obtaining a drive power from the elliptical vibration. The ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, reinforcing members which are provided at the antinodes of the flexural vibration on the top side of the piezoelectric device, friction contact members which are provided at the antinodes of the flexural vibration on the bottom side of the piezoelectric device so as to transmit the driving force to the driven body, a holding member which is provided on the piezoelectric device and positioned and held by a case, and a pressure member which presses the holding member so that the friction contact members are brought into a pressure contact with the driven body such that the driven body can be driven by friction.

Abstract: The piezoelectric vibrator includes the piezoelectric bar having a plurality of piezoelectric plates alternately stacked and a plurality of vibration sectors divided vertically and horizontally with respect to the direction in which the piezoelectric plates are stacked. Electrode terminals are formed on each of surface regions of the piezoelectric plate, divided in a longitudinal direction thereof, and jump terminals corresponding to electrode terminals are formed on a surface of an adjacent one of the piezoelectric plates. On side surfaces of the piezoelectric plates, a plurality of side electrodes are formed, connecting the electrode terminals and the corresponding jump terminals to power the vibration sectors, by which a pair of the vibration sectors diagonally disposed from each other are simultaneously powered. The piezoelectric vibrator is small and easily manufactured and mass-produced with a simple structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for coupling low-frequency high-power ultrasound resonators by a tolerance-compensating force-transmitting connection having at least one contact surface between the at least two resonators on or proximate to the oscillation maximum of the oscillation to be transmitted by the coupling for the purpose of transmitting low-frequency ultrasound power between the resonators coupled in this manner.

Abstract: The piezoelectric vibrator includes the piezoelectric bar having a plurality of piezoelectric plates alternately stacked and a plurality of vibration sectors divided vertically and horizontally with respect to the direction in which the piezoelectric plates are stacked. Electrode terminals are formed on each of surface regions of the piezoelectric plate, divided in a longitudinal direction thereof, and jump terminals corresponding to electrode terminals are formed on a surface of an adjacent one of the piezoelectric plates. On side surfaces of the piezoelectric plates, a plurality of side electrodes are formed, connecting the electrode terminals and the corresponding jump terminals to power the vibration sectors, by which a pair of the vibration sectors diagonally disposed from each other are simultaneously powered. The piezoelectric vibrator is small and easily manufactured and mass-produced with a simple structure.

Abstract: A mechanism for drilling or coring by a combination of sonic hammering and rotation. The drill includes a hammering section with a set of preload weights mounted atop a hammering actuator and an axial passage through the hammering section. In addition, a rotary section includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft that traverses the axial passage through the hammering section. A drill bit is coupled to the drive shaft for drilling by a combination of sonic hammering and rotation. The drill bit includes a fluted shaft leading to a distal crown cutter with teeth. The bit penetrates sampled media by repeated hammering action. In addition, the bit is rotated. As it rotates the fluted bit carries powdered cuttings helically upward along the side of the bit to the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining, the apparatus comprising an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves in a vibration horn; first clamp on the vibration horn at a static node of the ultrasonic waves; and a second clamp between the first clamp and a lowermost end of the vibration horn. The second clamp comprises a linear bearing for reducing vibration of the vibration horn in a direction laterally of the vibration horn, and allowing vibration of the vibration horn in the direction of a longitudinal axial of the vibration horn.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor includes a vibrator formed by stacking a plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates in a thickness direction, a driving circuit for applying a driving signal to a piezoelectric plate, and a detection circuit for detecting an electromotive force generated when the piezoelectric plate deforms, and this ultrasonic motor is configured in such a manner that there are a first piezoelectric plate and a second piezoelectric plate among the plurality of rectangular piezoelectric plates, the first and the second piezoelectric plate each is a piezoelectric plate in which a longitudinal vibration polarization portion that can excite longitudinal vibrations and a bending vibration polarization portion that can excite bending vibrations are polarized in a thickness direction, and the first piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and the detection circuit, and the second piezoelectric plate is connected to the driving circuit and is not connected to the detection circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of piezoelectric transducer subassemblies and systems primarily intended for medical and dental applications. The invention also provides transducer subassemblies and systems with improved performance and a capability to operate more efficiently in torsional or a combined longitudinal-torsional mode of vibration. The invention enables the size and weight of torsional mode transducers to be reduced. Additionally, the electrical characteristics of these transducer systems are improved, thus enabling the transducer end effector to deliver more power to the operative site.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor that is capable of stable driving by preventing uneven rotation of a driven body and maintaining the drive efficiency is provided. The ultrasonic motor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers including alternately stacked first piezoelectric elements and second piezoelectric elements, and a control unit for applying the same two-phase driving AC voltages to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic motor simultaneously generates longitudinal vibration and flexural vibration at the ultrasonic transducers to generate substantially elliptic vibration at output ends of the ultrasonic transducers and relatively moves the ultrasonic transducers and a driven body in contact with the ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A generally diamond-shaped detection electrode is formed in the approximate center of the piezoelectric element. The strain resulting from the bending secondary vibration mode in the vicinity of the detection electrode is minimized because the detection electrode is formed in such a manner as to include a vibrational node of the longitudinal primary vibrational mode and a vibrational node of the bending secondary vibrational mode. As a result, when the phase difference between the drive signal and the detection signal is detected, the effect of vibration in the bending secondary vibration mode on the detected phase difference can be suppressed and a single drive frequency can be determined with respect to a prescribed phase difference. Thus, the drive performance of the vibrating body with respect to a driven body (i.e.

Abstract: An ultrasonic horn assembly for applying ultrasonic energy at an operating location which assembly includes a connector between horn assembly components which provides uniform clamping pressure between transfer faces of the components.

Abstract: A horn that can suppress oscillation components other than the component in the horizontal direction, a horn unit, and a bonding apparatus using same are provided. The horn has a cross-section variable section in which a cross section perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (X direction) thereof has a first region extending in the Z direction and a pair of second regions sandwiching the first region from Y direction. In the position P3 corresponding to an anti-node of a standing wave of oscillations excited in the horn, a sectional area S1 of the first region assumes a maximum and a sectional area S2 of the second region assumes a minimum. With a transition from the position P3 to the other positions corresponding to nodes, the sectional area S1 decreases and the sectional area S2 increases. As a result, oscillation components other than those in the X direction are suppressed.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer manufactured by using a micromachining process comprises: a first electrode into which a control signal for transmitting ultrasound is input; a substrate on which the first electrode is formed; a second electrode that is a ground electrode facing the first electrode with a prescribed space between the first and second electrodes; a membrane on which the second electrode is formed and which vibrates and generates the ultrasound when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes; a piezoelectric film contacting the membrane; and a third electrode electrically continuous to the piezoelectric film.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device which may be permanently attached or removably attached to a material, such as a vehicular glass window. This device may comprise of a converter sub-unit or vibrator and a coupler. These elements may be arranged to propagate mechanical motion generated by the converter sub-unit through the coupler and optionally into the edge of the attached material. The resulting vibration motion in the material, which could take the form of a longitudinal compression/rarefaction wave, transverse wave, or a combination of the two waveforms, may be of a sufficient magnitude so as to cause the adhesive bond between the material's surface and other solid debris, such as ice, to be broken. This allows the debris to fall away while not damaging the material. The vibration motion in the material may be also of sufficient magnitude to remove a liquid such as water from the material surface.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probe comprising an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an ultrasonic transducer attached to the probe at or adjacent the first end, and an enlarged support section intermediate the ultrasonic transducer and the second end, wherein the enlarged support section has an equivalent diameter greater than an equivalent diameter of the body at any location between the enlarged support section and the ultrasonic transducer. The probe may be used to introduce ultrasonic energy into ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high-powered (e.g., >500 W) ultrasonic generator for use especially for delivering high-power ultrasonic energy to a varying load including compressible fluids. The generator includes a variable frequency triangular waveform generator coupled with pulse width modulators. The output from the pulse width modulator is coupled with the gates of an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), which amplifies the signal and delivers it to a coil that is used to drive a magnetostrictive transducer. In one embodiment, high voltage of 0-600 VDC is delivered across the collector and emitter of the IGBT after the signal is delivered. The output of the IGBT is a square waveform with a voltage of +/?600V. This voltage is sent to a coil wound around the ultrasonic transducer. The voltage creates a magnetic field on the transducer and the magnetorestrictive properties of the transducer cause the transducer to vibrate as a result of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric motor comprising a piezoelectric component that is connected to a resonator and a two-dimensional resonator that interacts with a movable. element, the resonator having principal surfaces that are parallel to each other and that are also identical in shape and size. The invention further relates to methods for producing such piezoelectric motors, wherein the resonators are manufactured by cutting a profiled, extruded bar into lengths or by cutting, preferably by punching, from sheet metal having constant thickness. Finally, this invention relates to a method for exciting such a piezoelectric motor, wherein the excitation frequency or frequencies is/are generated by the control electronics as a function of time in response to the respective peak current and/or in response to the respective phase minimum between current and voltage and/or in response to the change in phase.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices having transducer assembly including a stack of alternating electrodes and piezoelectric elements. A mounting device having a first and second end is adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from the stack and transmit it from the first to the second end. A bolt including a head and shaft is configured to threadedly engaged the mounting device. The transducer assembly includes a deformable pressure element having a central opening that permits insertion of the shaft therethrough, and has a convex side facing the bolt head and a concave side facing the stack in a non-deformed state, but, in a deformed state, applies compression forces to the stack based on the deformation. The deformable pressure element may alternately include a surface area, in its deformed state, substantially equivalent to the surface area of a piezoelectric element and/or a first and second beveled surface defining the concave side.

Abstract: A piezoelectric drive that is used to create a relative movement between a first and a second body on a plane of movement. The drive includes a flat metal sheet (1) that forms, or is secured to, the first body and that is arranged parallel to the plane of movement. The metal sheet (1) has a rest region (3) and at least one resonator area (4). An elastic spring area (5), which is parallel to the plane of the metal sheet, is disposed between the rest region (3) and the resonator area (4). A flat, rectangular piezoelement (6), which can be excited in a 3,1 mode, is coupled to a longitudinal axis (A) such that the longitudinal axis of the piezoelement (6) lies essentially on a longitudinal axis of the resonator area (4). The resonator area (4) protrudes above the piezoelement (6) in the direction of the longitudinal axes (A), and forms a tapered horn shape (7).

Abstract: Self drilling anchors and related methods and apparatus. In one embodiment an apparatus comprises a drill bit, a hammer mechanism for hammering the drill bit in a first direction and in a second direction, and a selection mechanism for controlling whether, at a given point in time, the drill bit is hammered in the first or second direction.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ultrasonic resonant rod waveguide-radiator with at least three cylindrical sections, one of which is an entrance section having a planar entrance surface and another of which is an exit section having a planar exit surface, and at least two sections having a variable cross-section. The cylindrical sections and sections of variable cross-section are arranged in alternating fashion and connected to each other acoustically rigidly. The dimensions of the cylindrical sections and the sections of variable cross-section are selected so that the gain of the waveguide-radiator is significantly greater than unity and the strain created by passage of ultrasonic waves through the waveguide-radiator is minimized, increasing the operational life of the waveguide-radiator and maximizing the amount of useful energy transmitted by the waveguide-radiator.

Abstract: Ultrasound device having a reaction chamber, which includes a magnetostrictive transducer and a horn transmitting ultrasound radiation substantially uniformly throughout the reaction chamber. The horn is hollow and is constituted by a cylinder having an empty inner chamber at its core defining a resonance chamber, which may be cylindrical and may comprise a plurality of sections of cylindrical shape or a central section of larger diameter and two terminal sections of smaller diameter.

Abstract: A transducer comprised of a resonator and a piezoelectric crystal for cleaning single items such as semiconductor wafers and flat panel displays. The resonator is an elongated piece of material having a cross section that is trapezoidal in shape. The parallel sides of the trapezoid form the top and bottom ends of the resonator and the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid focus the acoustic energy on the bottom end of the resonator.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature greater than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The head mass of the driver assembly is permanently attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber via brazing or diffusion bonding. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum coupling efficiency between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A mount for a vibration structure includes a ring having a flexural portion defining an arcuate mounting surface terminating at a free distal end and secured to an arcuate bearing surface on a flange of the vibration structure in coaxial bearing engagement therewith, the flexural portion having a radial stop surface spaced from the distal end and contacting an end surface of the vibration structure flange. Attachment structure on the mounting ring is adapted for attachment to an associated support. The flexural portion is resonant at the resonant frequency of the vibration structure and is shaped and dimensioned for flexing sufficient to accommodate movement of the bearing surface at resonance.