Waveguide for transmitting and radiating high-frequency, high-power ultrasound using higher mode vibrations of a cylindrical rod

Abstract

It was shown that a cylindrical solid rod, with a diameter several times larger than the wavelength, can be used as an efficient waveguide for transmitting and radiating high-power ultrasound at higher frequencies. A number of cylindrical rods of varying size and material were tested, and their efficiency as a waveguide was evaluated by the measurements of mechanoacoustic efficiency when the radiating end of the rod was immersed in water for an acoustical load. As an example of waveguide application, a mock-up water atomizer was constructed and shown to work stably at a continuous input of 200 W at 500 kHz. As a consequence of analytical and experimental considerations of the higher mode vibrations of cylindrical rods, a diagram for the optimal design of the waveguides was constructed. For instance, an aluminum alloy rod 6.9 cm in diameter and 23.3 cm in length yielded a mechanoacoustic efficiency as high as 88% at 500 kHz. For high temperature applications, the cylindrical rod can be used as a radiator of heat, as well as for a separator of the piezoelectric transducer from the hot object.