title: A high power ultrasonic array based test cell.
abstract: This paper describes the use of finite element (FE) analysis as a tool in the design process for laboratory based ultrasonic test cells. The system was designed to incorporate an array of ultrasonic transducers to provide a pressure focus in the centre of the cell and importantly, operate both above and below the cavitation threshold of the load medium. Furthermore, the cell incorporates a coolant jacket to accommodate temperature control of the load material associated with the process. A 2D FE model corresponding to a slice through the operational plane of the cell was developed and used to investigate the influence of cell wall material and thickness, transducer configuration, rotation of a metallic stirrer blade and heat transfer fluid on the cell acoustic response. Importantly, experimentally measured pressure field maps demonstrate good correlation with the FE predicted fields. A final manufactured test cell is shown to produce a highly focussed region of cavitation. Finally, the importance in accurately representing the acoustic properties of the constituent materials used in such FE models is demonstrated through an illustrated example.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW, Scotland, UK. a.gachagan@eee.strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gachagan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McNab
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blindt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marriott