APC International

Application: Integrate APC International, Ltd. piezoelectric transducers and resonant frequency matching in an automated acoustic cavitation system

The Challenge

Create and maintain inertial cavitation over a wide operating range with an automated acoustic drive system by matching resonant frequency of an acoustic cavitation reactor with APC International, Ltd., (formerly American Piezo Ceramics) piezoelectric transducers.

Key concepts

Utilization of standard APCI piezoelectric acoustic transducers, characterizing a cavitation system, 3-dimensional sonic landscape, destructive interference, frequency signature, surface mount polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors

The Impulse Solution

Standard off-the-shelf APCI piezoelectric transducers perform exceptionally well in Impulse’s inertial cavitation applications. Our challenge was to overcome destructive interference patterns of the transducer resonance with the overall system resonance. Impulse had to develop a solution to overcome this phenomenon.

In order to solve this problem, Impulse first needed to characterize the acoustic system across the complete operating regime to determine how and when the destructive interference occurred. Invasive investigation of the sound field is not possible in this particular application, so using an array of surface mount polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors, computer automated data collection, and innovative graphical visualization, Impulse was able to map the acoustic signature of the system, and create a complete 3-dimensional sonic landscape. As system conditions such as temperature and pressure change, the pattern of destructive resonance interference can be tracked.

Impulse’s solution involves APCI piezoelectric transducers combined with the customization of the resonance frequency. This creative combination generates the required sonic profile needed for the extreme operating regime. This integrated solution utilizes a specific frequency signature designed to avoid the destructive interference zones and allow cavitation across the complete range of desired system conditions. Impulse can offer expertise in the utilization of standard APCI transducers and create the appropriate frequency signature for your application.

Our team has extensive experience in the implementation of APCI piezoelectric transducers to control and optimize ultrasonic performance. We often need to design and utilize impedance matching circuitry to ensure consistency across the complete range of require operating conditions. We have also developed software resonance tracking algorithms to control the drive frequency so that our systems stay on resonance when system conditions such as temperature or static pressure drift. Using innovative coupling solutions, we ensure efficient transfer of energy from these transducers into a variety of acoustic resonating systems.

By successfully managing the mechanical, electrical and software challenges, Impulse has created a turnkey acoustic resonating system utilizing the consistency and quality of the APCI piezoelectric transducers to achieve extreme cavitation in our resonators. We can use that expertise and knowledge to optimize these transducers in a variety of applications.