US5319938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic resonator having mode-alignment-canceled harmonics
Assignee: Macrosonix Corp
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Filing: 1992-05-11
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2012-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic resonator includes a chamber which contains a fluid. The chamber has a geometry which produces self-destructive interference of at least one harmonic in the fluid to avoid shock wave formation at finite acoustic pressure amplitudes. The chamber can have reflective terminations at each end or a reflective termination at only one end. A driver mechanically oscillates the chamber at a frequency of a selected resonant mode of the chamber. The driver may be a moving piston coupled to an open end of the chamber, an electromagnetic shaker or an electromagnetic driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy S. Lucas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:45
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00; G10K15/04; G10K11/00; G10K11/02; G10K11/04; F; F25; F25B; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/14; F25B2309/1404; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F25B9/145; G01; G01N; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02491; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
An acoustic resonator comprising a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having a geometry which produces destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in said fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
An acoustic resonator comprising a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having a geometry which produces destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in said fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber comprises a resonant chamber for a standing wave compressor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber comprises a resonant chamber for a standing wave compressor used for fluid compression for heat transfer operations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a porous material positioned within said chamber to increase the destructive self-interference of said at least one harmonic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber has ends and reflective terminations at each end of said chamber, further comprising means for mechanically oscillating said chamber at a frequency of a selected resonant mode of said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber having an open end and a closed end with a reflective termination, further comprising a moving piston coupled to the open end of said chamber, said moving piston oscillating at a frequency of a selected resonant mode of said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber has a cross-sectional area which changes along said chamber, and wherein the change in cross-sectional area is positioned along said chamber to reduce an acoustic velocity of said fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber has a cross-sectional area which changes along said chamber, and wherein the change in cross-sectional area is positioned along said chamber to reduce boundary layer viscous energy dissipation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chamber has a cross-sectional area which changes along said chamber, and wherein the change in cross-sectional area is positioned along said chamber to reduce boundary layer thermal energy dissipation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid is a gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid is a liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An acoustic resonator driving system comprising: a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having ends with a reflective termination at each of the ends; and driver means for mechanically oscillating said chamber to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of said chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An acoustic resonator driving system comprising: a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having ends with a reflective termination at each of the ends; and driver means for mechanically oscillating said chamber to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An acoustic resonator driving system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said chamber comprises a resonant chamber for a standing wave compressor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An acoustic resonator driving system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said chamber comprises a resonant chamber for a standing wave compressor which provides fluid compression for a heat transfer operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acoustic resonator driving system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said driver means applies periodic non-sinusoidal forces to said chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An acoustic resonator driving system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said chamber includes a conical section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acoustic resonator driving system according to claim 12, wherein said chamber includes a curved expansion section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
An acoustic resonator comprising a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having at least first and second different cross-sectional areas adjacent at least first and second positions, respectively, along said chamber to produce destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in said fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
An acoustic resonator comprising a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having at least first and second different cross-sectional areas adjacent at least first and second positions, respectively, along said chamber to produce destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in said fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acoustic resonator as set forth in claim 12, further comprising means for electromagnetically creating a standing wave in the fluid in said chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
94 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having at least first and second different cross-sectional areas adjacent at least first and second positions, respectively, along said chamber to produce destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic to avoid shock wave formation in said fluid; a driver coupled to said chamber, for causing an acoustic wave to be formed in said chamber to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of said chamber, so that the fluid is compressed in said chamber; and a heat exchange apparatus coupled to said chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
94 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a chamber containing a fluid, said chamber having at least first and second different cross-sectional areas adjacent at least first and second positions, respectively, along said chamber to produce destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic to avoid shock wave formation in said fluid; a driver coupled to said chamber, for causing an acoustic wave to be formed in said chamber to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of said chamber, so that the fluid is compressed in said chamber; and a heat exchange apparatus coupled to said chamber.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for producing acoustic resonance in a chamber, comprising the steps of: introducing a fluid into the chamber; and producing destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in the fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for producing acoustic resonance in a chamber, comprising the steps of: introducing a fluid into the chamber; and producing destructive self-interference of at least one harmonic in the fluid to avoid shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for driving an acoustic resonator comprising mechanically oscillating an entire chamber having reflective terminations and containing a fluid, to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of the chamber while avoiding shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for driving an acoustic resonator comprising mechanically oscillating an entire chamber having reflective terminations and containing a fluid, to excite a selected resonant acoustic mode of the chamber while avoiding shock wave formation at peak acoustic pressure amplitudes greater than 10% of mean pressure.
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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) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |