US3835810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pressure wave mixing
Assignee: Energy Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-12
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-01-12
Abstract
Abstract The propagating range and/or energizing capability of pressure waves are enhanced by mixing pressure waves from a plurality of sources. The wavelengths of the pressure waves and the physical dimensions of the mixing arrangement are related to each other. In a first embodiment, coherent sonic waves are coupled to the inlets of a plurality of passages having cross-sectional dimensions related to the wavelength of the sonic waves, and the sonic waves emanating from the outlets of the passages are combined. The outlets of adjacent passages are preferably spaced from each other a distance related to the wavelength. In a second embodiment, coherent shock waves produced by two supersonic nozzles are combined at a point of intersection; the nozzles are dimensioned to produce shock waves having related wavelengths. In a third embodiment, coherent shock waves produced by a supersonic nozzle and the pressure pulses characteristic of a simple orifice are combined at a point of intersection; the orifice is dimensioned so the wavelengths of the shock waves and the pressure pulses are related. In the second and third embodiments, the point of intersection is preferably spaced from the sources a distance that is related to the wavelengths. In a fourth embodiment, coherent shock waves produced by a supersonic nozzle and pressure waves characteristic of a simple orifice are combined in a resonant cavity having rectangular cross-sectional dimensions that are related to the wavelengths.
Inventors
- 👤 N Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/22; G10K5/00; G10K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a first pressure wave generator with an outlet from which pressure waves emanate, the pressure waves from the first generator having a first wavelength; a second pressure wave generator with an outlet from which pressure waves emanate, the pressure waves from the second generator having a second wavelength related to the first wavelength; and means for supporting the first and second generators so the pressure waves emanating from them combine at a point spaced from the outlet of each of the generators a distance related to the wavelength of the pressure waves from such generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a first pressure wave generator with an outlet from which pressure waves emanate, the pressure waves from the first generator having a first wavelength; a second pressure wave generator with an outlet from which pressure waves emanate, the pressure waves from the second generator having a second wavelength related to the first wavelength; and means for supporting the first and second generators so the pressure waves emanating from them combine at a point spaced from the outlet of each of the generators a distance related to the wavelength of the pressure waves from such generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, in which the first and second generators each generate coherent sonic wave energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, in which the first and second generators each generate coherent shock wave energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, in which the first generator generates coherent shock wave energy and the second generator generates pressure pulses characteristic of a simple orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: first means for generating pressure waves having a given wavelength; means for directing the pressure waves generated by the first generating means along a first axis; second means for generating pressure waves having a wavelength related to the given wavelength; and means for directing the pressure waves generated by the second generating means along a second axis that intersects the first axis at a point of intersection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: first means for generating pressure waves having a given wavelength; means for directing the pressure waves generated by the first generating means along a first axis; second means for generating pressure waves having a wavelength related to the given wavelength; and means for directing the pressure waves generated by the second generating means along a second axis that intersects the first axis at a point of intersection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 5, in which the distance along the first axis from the first generating means to the point of intersection and the distance along the second axis from the second generating means to the point of intersection are related to the given wavelength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6, in which the distances and the given wavelength are multiples of a common divisor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6, in which the distances are multiply related to the given wavelength.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 5, in which each generating means comprises a supersonic nozzle and means for producing a sufficient pressure drop across the nozzle to cause supersonic fluid flow along the corresponding axis in the direction of the point of intersection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 5, in which each generating means comprises a shock wave generating cell having an inlet to which a gas under pressure is applied and an outlet aligned with the corresponding axis to radiate shock waves along such axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5, in which the first anD second axes are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a plurality of sources of pressure waves having related wavelengths; and means for mixing the pressure waves from the plurality of sources to enhance the energizing capability and/or the propagating range of the resultant pressure waves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a plurality of sources of pressure waves having related wavelengths; and means for mixing the pressure waves from the plurality of sources to enhance the energizing capability and/or the propagating range of the resultant pressure waves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a first source of pressure waves having a first wavelength; a second source of pressure waves having a second wavelength related to the first wavelength; a resonant cavity having a cross-sectional dimension related to the first and second wavelengths; and means for coupling the first and second sources to the cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pressure wave mixing system comprising: a first source of pressure waves having a first wavelength; a second source of pressure waves having a second wavelength related to the first wavelength; a resonant cavity having a cross-sectional dimension related to the first and second wavelengths; and means for coupling the first and second sources to the cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 13, in which the first wavelength is a large multiple of the second wavelength.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14, in which the cavity has a square cross section with a side dimension related to the first and second wavelengths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 15, in which the first source is a conduit having a cross-sectional dimension related to the first and second wavelengths, the conduit producing characteristic pressure pulses at a wavelength that is a multiple of the wavelength of the pressure waves from the second source, and the coupling means comprises a connection of the conduit to the cavity and a connection of the second source to the conduit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: means for producing a stream of fluid; means for establishing pressure waves in the stream; and means for forming a plurality of passages having cross-sectional dimensions related to the wavelength of the pressure waves, the passages having inlets in communication with the pressure waves and outlets in communication with each other for mixing the pressure waves passing through the passages.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: means for producing a stream of fluid; means for establishing pressure waves in the stream; and means for forming a plurality of passages having cross-sectional dimensions related to the wavelength of the pressure waves, the passages having inlets in communication with the pressure waves and outlets in communication with each other for mixing the pressure waves passing through the passages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17, in which the passage forming means comprises a shock wave generating cell having a number of boundary layer forming holes constituting the passages.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 17, in which the passage forming means comprises a plate that is thin relative to the wavelength of the pressure waves, the plate having perforations with a diameter related to the wavelength of the pressure pulses and a spacing from each other related to the wavelength of the pressure waves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 17, in which the passage forming means comprises a housing having a plurality of parallel tubes, the tubes having a diameter, a length, and a spacing from each other related to the wavelength of the pressure waves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 20, in which the housing has a first manifold communicating with one end of the tubes and a second manifold communicating with the other end of the tubes, the first and second manifolds having a depth related to the wavelength of the pressure waves to form resonant cavities.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 17, in which the pressure waves are coherent sonic waves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
69 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: first means responsive to flowing fluid for generating in the fluid coherent shock waves having a first wavelength; second means responsive to flowing fluid for generating in the fluid coherent shock waves having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being related; and means for orienting the first and second shock wave generating means so the shock waves therefrom converge at a point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: first means responsive to flowing fluid for generating in the fluid coherent shock waves having a first wavelength; second means responsive to flowing fluid for generating in the fluid coherent shock waves having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being related; and means for orienting the first and second shock wave generating means so the shock waves therefrom converge at a point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the first and second wavelenghts are multiple related.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the first and second wavelengths are multiples of a common divisor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the first and second wavelengths are equal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the first and second shock wave generating means are oriented so the shock waves therefrom converge at right angles to each other.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the distance from each of the shock wave generating means to the point of convergence is related to the first and second wavelengths.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
189 words
The apparatus of claim 23, in which the first and second shock wave generating means each comprise a cylindrical nozzle body having a downstream end and an upstream end, there being a pressure drop between the upstream end and the downstream end, the nozzle body being open at its downstream end, bounded along its length by a sidewall and bounded at its upstream end by an end wall having a large center hole, a plurality of smaller equally spaced peripheral holes disposed about the center hole in the end wall in oppositely arranged pairs, a plurality of oppositely disposed pairs of throat plane stabilizing holes lying in a common plane in the sidewall near the downstream end of the nozzle body, and a cylindrical cell cover enclosing the nozzle body to form an annular region surrounding the cylindrical side wall of the nozzle body, the cell cover completely enclosing the nozzle body except for the open downstream end of the nozzle body and an opening at its upstream end that communicates with the holes in the nozzle body, the holes of the nozzle body all having dimensionally related diameters.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
72 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: means responsive to flowing fluid for producing in the fluid coherent shock waves having a first wavelength; means responsive to flowing fluid for producing in the fluid pressure pulses having a second wavelength, the second wavelength being a large multiple of the first wavelength; and means for orienting the shock wave generating means and the pressure wave generating means so the waves therefrom converge at a point.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
72 words
Pressure wave mixing apparatus comprising: means responsive to flowing fluid for producing in the fluid coherent shock waves having a first wavelength; means responsive to flowing fluid for producing in the fluid pressure pulses having a second wavelength, the second wavelength being a large multiple of the first wavelength; and means for orienting the shock wave generating means and the pressure wave generating means so the waves therefrom converge at a point.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 30, in which the means for generating pressure pulses comprises a simple orifice having a diameter related to the first wavelength and means for inducing fluid flow through the orifice toward the point of convergence.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
185 words
The apparatus of claim 31, in which the shock wave generating means comprises a cylindrical nozzle body having a downstream end and an upstream end, there being a pressure drop between the upstream end and the downstream end, the nozzle body being open at its downstream end, bounded along its length by a sidewall and bounded at its upstream end by an end wall having a large center hole, a plurality of smaller equally spaced peripheral holes disposed about the center hole in the end wall in oppositely arranged pairs, a plurality of oppositely disposed pairs of throat plane stabilizing holes lying in a common plane in the sidewall near the downstream end of the nozzle body, and a cylindrical cell cover enclosing the nozzle body to form an annular region surrounding the cylindrical side wall of the nozzle body, the cell cover completely enclosing the nozzle body except for the open downstream end of the nozzle body and an opening at its upstream end that communicates with the holes in the nozzle body, the holes of the nozzle body all having dimensionally related diameters.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 31, comprising one or more additional means responsive to flowing fluid for generating in the fluid shock waves having a first wavelength, the additional shock wave generating means being oriented so the shock waves converge at the point.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 30, in which the distance between the shock wave generating means and the point and the distance between the pressure pulse generating means and the point are related to the first and second wavelengths.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of enhancing the energizing capability and/or propagating range of pressure waves, the method comprising the steps of: generating pressure waves having a first wavelength in a first fluid stream; generating pressure waves having a second wavelength in a second fluid stream, the first and second wavelengths being related; and means for directing the first and second fluid streams to converge at a point so as to mix the pressure waves therein.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of enhancing the energizing capability and/or propagating range of pressure waves, the method comprising the steps of: generating pressure waves having a first wavelength in a first fluid stream; generating pressure waves having a second wavelength in a second fluid stream, the first and second wavelengths being related; and means for directing the first and second fluid streams to converge at a point so as to mix the pressure waves therein.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of enhancing the energizing capability and/or propagating range of pressure waves, the method comprising the steps of: generating pressure waves having a given wavelength; and coupling the pressure waves to the inlets of a plurality of passages each having a cross-sectional dimension related to the given wavelength and an outlet in communication with the outlets of the other passages.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of enhancing the energizing capability and/or propagating range of pressure waves, the method comprising the steps of: generating pressure waves having a given wavelength; and coupling the pressure waves to the inlets of a plurality of passages each having a cross-sectional dimension related to the given wavelength and an outlet in communication with the outlets of the other passages.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of energizing a fluid stream comprising: passing the fluid stream through a large orifice to produce in the fluid stream pressure pulses characteristic of the orifice, the pressure pulses having a given wavelength; and directing into the stream downstream of the orifice coherent shock waves having a wavelength related to the given wavelength.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of energizing a fluid stream comprising: passing the fluid stream through a large orifice to produce in the fluid stream pressure pulses characteristic of the orifice, the pressure pulses having a given wavelength; and directing into the stream downstream of the orifice coherent shock waves having a wavelength related to the given wavelength.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of generating sonic wave energy having a high energy capability and a short wavelength, the method comprising the steps of: producing pressure pulses having a large wavelength in a fluid with a large rate of flow; producing pressure pulses having a small wavelength, the large wavelength and the small wavelength being dimensionally related; and combining and resonating the pressure pulses having the large wavelength and the pressure pulses having the small wavelength to generate sonic waves.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of generating sonic wave energy having a high energy capability and a short wavelength, the method comprising the steps of: producing pressure pulses having a large wavelength in a fluid with a large rate of flow; producing pressure pulses having a small wavelength, the large wavelength and the small wavelength being dimensionally related; and combining and resonating the pressure pulses having the large wavelength and the pressure pulses having the small wavelength to generate sonic waves.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 38, in which the combination of pressure pulses is simultaneously resonated in a first dimension between a first pair of parallel reflective surfaces and in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension between a second pair of parallel reflective surfaces to convert the pressure pulses into sonic wave energy, the first and second dimensions being related.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 38, in which the pressure pulses are combined and resonated in separate steps.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |