Abstract:
An ultrasonic transducer assembly is provided comprising an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic booster, an ultrasonic probe, and a booster cooling unit. The ultrasonic booster is connected to the ultrasonic transducer to amplify acoustic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer and transfer the amplified acoustic energy to the ultrasonic probe. A seated end of the ultrasonic probe is positioned in a probe seat of the ultrasonic booster. The booster cooling unit is positioned to regulate the temperature of the probe seat of the ultrasonic booster such that the assembly supports a temperature dependent press-fit engagement of the seated end of the ultrasonic probe and the probe seat of the ultrasonic booster. The temperature dependent press-fit engagement is such that the seated end of the ultrasonic probe can be reversibly moved in and out of the probe seat at an elevated temperature ???t and is fixed in the probe seat at room temperature TCOLD. A method of applying ultrasonic acoustic energy to a glass melt by monitoring a glass melt temperature TY and transferring ultrasonic acoustic energy from an ultrasonic transducer to the glass melt at a controller power Pc and a controller frequency Vc through an ultrasonic probe positioned in the glass melt is provided. Systems for applying ultrasonic acoustic energy to glass melts are also provided.