US 5,096,532 A · Ultrasonic rotary horn

Abstract

An ultrasonic rotary horn intended to be excited at a frequency of from about 18 to about 60 kHz, which horn is a shaped, solid metal object having a rotational axis and a radial surface terminated by a first end and a second end. The diameter of the horn can vary from about 4 cm to about 19 cm. The width of the horn at the radial surface is in the range of from about 0.6 cm to about 13 cm. The thickness of the horn at its rotational axis is from about 0.6 cm to about 15 cm and is independent of the width of the horn at the radial surface. The horn has a mass in the range of from about 0.06 kg to about 30 kg. The diameter, width, and thickness values are selected for a desired frequency so that the horn, upon being excited by ultrasonic energy at such frequency which is input at the rotational axis at, and substantially perpendicular to, one or both ends, is adapted to resonate in a manner such that: (1) the excited end moves substantially in phase with the movement of the source of excitation; (2) the opposing end, whether or not it is actively excited, moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited end; (3) said radial work-contacting surface also moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited end; and (4) said horn exhibits a single nodal point at its geometric center.

Claims28

Dependent claims

In an ultrasonic rotary horn intended to be excited at a frequency of from about 18 to about 60 kHz, which horn comprises a shaped, solid metal object having a radial surface terminated by a first end and a second end, and a rotational axis, in which each of said ends is defined by a surface and said object is axially symmetrical, the improvement which comprises:

(A) the diameter of said horn is in the range of from about 4 cm to about 19 cm;
(B) the width of said horn at said radial surface is from about 0.6 cm to about 13 cm;
(C) the thickness of said horn at the rotational axis thereof is from about 0.6 cm to about 15 cm and is independent of the width of said horn at said radial surface;
(D) said horn has a mass in the range of from about 0.06 kg to about 30 kg;
and
(E) said diameter, width, and thickness are selected for a desired frequency so that said horn, upon being excited by ultrasonic energy at such frequency which is input at the rotational axis at, and substantially perpendicular to, one or both of said ends, is adapted to resonate in a manner such that:
(1) the first end is excited and moves substantially in phase with the movement of the source of excitation;
(2) the second end, whether or not it is actively excited, moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited first end;
(3) said radial surface also moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited first end;
and
(4) said horn exhibits a single nodal point at its geometric center.

8 more elements

In an apparatus for ultrasonically bonding two or more materials together, or otherwise ultrasonically processing a material, which apparatus comprises an ultrasonic rotary horn intended to be excited at a frequency of from about 18 to about 60 kHz, a vibrator means for providing a source of longitudinal mechanical vibration coupled to one or both ends of said horn, optionally through an elongated waveguide, support means for said ultrasonic rotary horn, drive means for rotating said ultrasonic rotary horn, and a rotatable anvil in close proximity to said ultrasonic rotary horn, the improvement which comprises employing as said ultrasonic rotary horn a shaped, solid metal object having a radial surface terminated by a first end and a second end, and a rotational axis, in which each of said ends is defined by a surface and said object is axially symmetrical, in which:

(A) the diameter of said horn is in the range of from about 4 cm to about 19 cm;
(B) the width of said horn at said radial surface is from about 0.6 cm to about 13 cm;
(C) the thickness of said horn at the rotational axis thereof is from about 0.6 cm to about 15 cm and is independent of the width of said horn at said radial surface;
(D) said horn has a mass in the range of from about 0.06 kg to about 0 kg;
and
(E) said diameter, width, and thickness are selected for a desired frequency so that said horn, upon being excited by ultrasonic energy at such frequency which is input at the rotational axis at, and substantially perpendicular to, one or both of said ends, is adapted to resonate in a manner such that:
(1) the first and is excited and moves substantially in phase with the movement of the source of excitation;
(2) the second end, whether or not it is actively excited, moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited first end;
(3) said radial surface also moves substantially out of phase with the movement of the excited first end;
and
(4) said horn exhibits a single nodal point at its geometric center.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasonic rotary horn

Life of this patent

Ultrasonic rotary horn

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28