Development of an Acoustic Levitation Linear Transportation System Based on a Ring-Type Structure

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2017 May;64(5):839-846. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2017.2673244. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Abstract

A linear acoustic levitation transportation system based on a ring-type vibrator is presented. The system is composed by two 21-kHz Langevin transducers connected to a ring-shaped structure formed by two semicircular sections and two flat plates. In this system, a flexural standing wave is generated along the ring structure, producing an acoustic standing wave between the vibrating ring and a plane reflector located at a distance of approximately a half wavelength from the ring. The acoustic standing wave in air has a series of pressure nodes, where small particles can be levitated and transported. The ring-type transportation system was designed and analyzed by using the finite element method. Additionally, a prototype was built and the acoustic levitation and transport of a small polystyrene particle was demonstrated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't