Flodesign Sonics, Inc.

David Sokolowski

Bart Lipkens

Dane Mealey

Thomas J Kennedy, Iii

Walter M Presz, Jr

Kedar C Chitale

Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud

Brian Dutra

Brian McCarthy

Jason Dionne

Rudolf Gilmanshin

Jason Barnes

Jeff King

Anthony B Masi

Brian T Kennedy

Thomas J Iii Kennedy

Brian Mccarthy

An acoustophoretic device is disclosed. The acoustophoretic device includes an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber emanating from a non-planar face of the piezoelectric material. A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is also disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber.

Non-planar and non-symmetrical piezoelectric crystals and reflectors

Separation of particles or droplets from a host fluid may be achieved using a transducer and/or reflector that is a thin, non-planar structure. The thin non-planar structure improves operation of an acoustic standing wave generated by an acoustic transducer. The structure may operate as a pressure release boundary and may be constructed as plastic film.

Transducer and reflector configurations for an acoustophoretic device

Acoustophoretic devices for separating particles from a non-flowing host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a substantially acoustically transparent container and a separation unit, with the container being placed within the separation unit. An ultrasonic transducer in the separation unit creates a planar or multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave within the container, trapping particles disposed within the non-flowing fluid and causing them to coalesce or agglomerate, then separate due to buoyancy or gravity forces.

Acoustophoretic clarification of particle-laden non-flowing fluids

Growing community of inventors

Wilbraham, MA, United States of America

David Sokolowski