Article Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is "Ultrasonics?"
3. Nature of Sound Waves
4. Cavitation and Implosion
5. Benefits of Ultrasonics
6. Ultrasonics Speeds Cleaning
7. Complex Contaminants
8. Ultrasonic Generators
9. Pulse and Frequency Sweep
10. Frequency and Amplitude
11. Magnetostrictive Transducers
12. Piezoelectric Transducers
13. Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment
14. Maximizing the Cleaning Process
15. Maximizing Cavitation
16. Minimizing Dissolved Gas
17. Maximizing Overall Cleaning Effect (1)
18. Maximizing Overall Cleaning Effect (2)
19. Conclusion

Ultrasonic Cleaning: Fundamental Theory and Application
(p. 8)

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Ultrasonic Equipment

To introduce ultrasonic energy into a cleaning system requires an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic power supply or "generator." The generator supplies electrical energy at the desired ultrasonic frequency. The ultrasonic transducer converts the electrical energy from the ultrasonic generator into mechanical vibrations.

Ultrasonic Generator

The ultrasonic generator converts electrical energy from the line which is typically alternating current at 50 or 60Hz to electrical energy at the ultrasonic frequency. This is accomplished in a number of ways by various equipment manufacturers. Current ultrasonic generators nearly all use solid state technology.

There have been several relatively recent innovations in ultrasonic generator technology which may enhance the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning equipment. These include square wave outputs, slowly or rapidly pulsing the ultrasonic energy on and off and modulating or "sweeping" the frequency of the generator output around the central operating frequency. The most advanced ultrasonic generators have provisions for adjusting a variety of output parameters to customize the ultrasonic energy output for the task.

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