Abstract:
An ultrasonic vibrator driving apparatus performs driving by applying an alternating voltage as a drive voltage to an ultrasonic vibrator that includes a piezoelectric element and has a unique resonance frequency. The drive voltage is generated with a variable frequency in a frequency range including the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator. The frequency of the drive voltage is repeatedly swept with a predetermined sweep width and a predetermined sweep period so as to include the resonance frequency, based on a reference frequency set according to the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator. The sweep period and the sweep width are restricted by being associated so as to fall within a predetermined allowed range on a two-dimensional map divided by the sweep period and the sweep width.
Abstract:
A mist inhaler device (200) for generating a mist for inhalation by a user. The device includes a mist generator device (201) and a driver device (202). The driver device (202) is configured to drive the mist generator device (201) at an optimum frequency to maximise the efficiency of mist generation by the mist generator device (201).
Abstract:
Assembly kit, comprising a sonication device (10) and a support (20) for sample tubes (30). The device comprises a tank (13) and an ultrasound wave generator (15) coupled to the tank and designed to generate ultrasound waves having a frequency of between 20 kHz and 80 kHz. The tank comprises an indicator (132) of a level (133) of liquid. The support for sample tubes comprises a means (21) for the support of several sample tubes of a size of 0.2 ml, a rod (22) secured to the support means, and a means (23) for suspending the rod in the tank. The rod has a length such that, in the assembly position, the sample tubes (30) are positioned with their lower end between 8 mm and 12 mm below the indicator (132) of the level of liquid.
Abstract:
A humidifier includes a water supply and a nebulizer bank having a plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers, where each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers is in fluid communication with the water supply and is structurally configured for breaking up water in liquid form into aerosol droplets for humidifying a volume. The humidifier may further include a controller in communication with each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers to selectively activate each of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers independently from one another, where the controller is configured to stage activation of one or more of the plurality of ultrasonic nebulizers while accounting for at least one of: (i) a time from startup to a production of an aerosol droplet for each ultrasonic nebulizer; (ii) a threshold power consumption for the humidifier; (iii) a temperature of a component of the humidifier; and (iv) a predetermined humidity of the volume.
Abstract:
In various arrangements, a nebulizer element of a nebulizer may be energized with a drive signal. A phase offset of the drive signal may be measured. A phase delta may be determined. The phase delta may indicate a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset. The target phase offset may indicate a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal. A frequency of the drive signal may be changed to decrease the phase delta.
Abstract:
In various arrangements, a nebulizer element of a nebulizer may be energized with a drive signal. A phase offset of the drive signal may be measured. A phase delta may be determined. The phase delta may indicate a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset. The target phase offset may indicate a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal. A frequency of the drive signal may be changed to decrease the phase delta.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for producing a thin organic film on a substrate using an ultrasonic nozzle to produce a cloud of micro-droplets in a vacuum chamber. The micro-droplets move turbulently within the vacuum chamber, isotropically impacting and adhering to the surface of the substrate. The resulting product has a smooth, continuous, conformal, and uniform organic thin film, when the critical process parameters of micro-droplet size, shot size, vacuum chamber pressure, and timing are well-controlled, and defects such as nullorange peelnull effect and webbing are avoided. The apparatus includes an improved ultrasonic nozzle assembly that comprises vacuum sealing and a separate, independent passageway for introducing a directed purging gas.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic aerosol apparatus having a piezoelectric element which generates ultrasonic signals in response to signals received from an oscillating circuit, where the temperature of the piezoelectric element is controlled by an electronic device such as an N.T.C. thermistor. The temperature control device senses the temperature of the piezoelectric element and controls the power fed to the oscillator circuit in accordance with the temperature of the piezoelectric element. Rather than cut power completely to the oscillator circuit (thereby interrupting the atomization process of the apparatus), the temperature control device reduces power fed to the oscillator circuit when the piezoelectric element temperature rises above a predetermined value, and increases power fed to the oscillator circuit when the piezoelectric element temperature falls below a predetermined value. Leakage of liquids (e.g., water or medication) contained within the apparatus is avoided by the lack of joints in the liquid-holding apparatus containers. The piezoelectric element may be ceramic, and may be supported by an elastic element which itself may act as an electrical connection between the piezoelectric element and the temperature control device.
Abstract:
A method for driving an ultrasonic transducer, intended for use in atomization of liquids, at one of its selected resonance frequencies, by tuning out the capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer by means of an inductor, by sensing the transducer current, by comparing the phases of the transducer driving voltage and the transducer current and by controlling a voltage controlled oscillator for driving the ultrasonic transducer, by means of a phase error signal such that the ultrasonic transducer is driven with a frequency at which the transducer driving voltage and the transducer current are in phase, whereby the transducer driving circuit is locked to a natural resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.
Abstract:
In a process and a circuit for exciting an ultrasonic generator the latter is excited by an output signal of a voltage-controlled oscillator, which is controlled by a control device including a triangular wave generator so that its frequency is periodically swept in a range covering the series resonance of the ultrasonic generator. A measured quantity value, which can be voltage or current corresponding to the damping of the ultrasonic generator, is formed and is compared with the maximum permitted damping. If the established damping is smaller than the maximum permitted damping, the oscillator is additionally regulated as a function of the measured quantity. This measured quantity is preferably a function of the exciting current of the ultrasonic generator. An instantaneous measured value and a delayed value are formed and their difference is compared with a threshold value in a comparator. If this difference is the same as the threshold value, the sweep direction in the control device is reversed. The power at the ultrasonic generator can be regulated by varying the operating voltage of an output stage connected upstream of the ultrasonic generator. The process can be used for atomizing a liquid by an ultrasonic generator provided with an atomizer disk.