Devices for the generation of ultrasonics and their application to the preparation of emulsions

Abstract

A device for generating .[.ultrasonic.]. waves in a fluid preferably used in emulsifying water and fuel oil and the like constructed of two side plates (each having at least one recess, occurring in adjacent pairs) and a thin steel membrane disk having a liquid access groove (discontinuities) cut out of said disk and extending into said recess such that the remaining portion of the membrane disk extending across each recess pair vibrates (preferably resonates) in the liquid flowing through said groove and into one of said recesses to pass out a discharge conduit extending from the base of such recess.

We claim: 
     
       1. Device for generating .[.ultrasonics.]. .Iadd.waves .Iaddend.in a fluid .Iadd.in the sonic to ultrasonic range.Iaddend., comprising a membrane, two side plates located on each side of the membrane and each having at least one recess, said recesses forming adjacent opposing pairs, said membrane having at least a first discontinuity which forms a passage through which the fluid penetrates into the device and at least a second discontinuity extending the first discontinuity and forming a communication between each pair of said recesses located on each side of the membrane, each such second discontinuity leaving a substantial portion of said membrane extending between each respective pair of recesses sufficient to effectively vibrate, and a conduit from one recess of each pair via which the fluid is evacuated from the device. 
     
     
       2. Device according to claim 1, each side plate having a single recess. 
     
     
       3. Device according to claim 1, said first discontinuity being located on the periphery of the said membrane, said second discontinuity being an extension of the said first discontinuity, and the first and second discontinuities consisting of a single groove. 
     
     
       4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said membrane has at least one axis of symmetry, said recesses form pairs which have equal volumes and are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said membrane at its axis of symmetry. 
     
     
       5. Device according to claim 1, said first discontinuity being located at the periphery of the said membrane and said second discontinuity having two branches defining a blade in the membrane. 
     
     
       6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said membrane has at least one axis of symmetry, said recesses form pairs which have equal volumes and are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said membrane at its axis of symmetry. 
     
     
       7. Device according to claim 1, each side plate having at least two recesses. 
     
     
       8. Device according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of second discontinuities, said first discontinuity being located substantially at the center of said membrane and said second discontinuities constituting grooves. 
     
     
       9. Device according to claim 8, wherein said membrane has at least one axis of symmetry, said recesses form pairs which have equal volumes and are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said membrane at its axis of symmetry. 
     
     
       10. Device according to claim 7, the number of first discontinuities of the membrane being between one and the number of recesses of each side plate. 
     
     
       11. Device according to claim 10, said first discontinuity or discontinuities being located on the periphery of the said membrane, and the said second discontinuity or discontinuities being in the extension of the first, each pair of first and second discontinuities constituting a single groove. 
     
     
       12. Device according to claim 11, further comprising a distributing conduit which receives said fluid and distributes it to the periphery of said membrane in flow communication with said first discontinuity. 
     
     
       13. Device according to claim 12, comprising means for preventing the rotation of the said membrane between said side plates. 
     
     
       14. Device according to claim 10, comprising means for preventing the rotation of the said membrane between said side plates. 
     
     
       15. Device according to claim 14, said means being formed of locking pins rigidly connected with one of the side plates which pass through holes provided in the membrane and engage in blind holes provided in the other side plate. 
     
     
       16. Device according to claim 10, comprising means which press the side plates strongly against each other. 
     
     
       17. Device according to claim 7, said first discontinuity being located substantially at the center of the said membrane and further comprising a plurality of second discontinuities, each having several branches defining blades in the membrane. 
     
     
       18. Device according to claim 17, wherein said membrane has at least one axis of symmetry, said recesses form pairs which have equal volumes and are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said membrane at its axis of symmetry. 
     
     
       19. Device according to claim 1, wherein said membrane has at least one axis of symmetry, said recesses form pairs which have equal volumes and are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said membrane at its axis of symmetry. 
     
     
       20. Device according to claim 1 for the obtaining of emulsions of water in fuel oil, comprising filtering means for cleaning said fuel oil and said water, means for mixing the water, fuel oil, and any other ingredients in desired proportions, and means for feeding said ingredients into the passage formed by the said first discontinuity and for maintaining a pressure drop of at least 2 bars. 
     
     
       21. Device according to claim 1 for the obtaining of emulsions of paraffin or microcrystalline wax in water further comprising means for supplying a mixture of water, paraffin or microcrystalline wax, and an emulsifying agent together under a pressure at least more than 2 bars greater than the pressure in the said evacuation conduit. 
     
     
       22. Device according to claim 21, further comprising means for having the temperature of said mixture at the inlet being between 80° and 99° C. 
     
     
       23. Device according to claim 21, said evacuation conduit comprising a nozzle. 
     
     
       24. Device according to claim 21, further comprising means for maintaining the absolute pressure of said mixture at the inlet at more than 3 bars. .Iadd. 25. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is constructed to generate waves below 40,000 cps. .Iaddend..Iadd. 26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said device is constructed to generate waves from about 1,250 cps to about 40,000 cps. .Iaddend..Iadd. 27. A device according to claim 20, wherein said device is constructed to generate waves below 40,000 cps. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said device is constructed to generate waves from about 1,250 cps to about 40,000 cps. .Iaddend.