Study on Miniaturization of a Pump Using Ultrasonic Transducer and Opposing Surface

Abstract:
Previously, we found an occurrence of pump effect when an opposing block faces an ultrasonically vibrating surface with a small gap. To observe the effect, an experimental setup with an ultrasonic transducer and a block was prepared. The ultrasonic transducer had a hole to provide the path for fluid flow and the opposing surface was a tapered end of an aluminum cylinder. According to the measurement results of a gauge pressure in the hole, when circumference of the opposing block is tapered, air was discharged from the gap of two surfaces. On the other hand, when center of the block is tapered, fluid was sucked into the gap. In this research, miniaturization of the pump was discussed. By selecting higher frequency for the transducer, total size of the pump can be reduced. A Langevin type ultrasonic transducer whose resonant frequency was 58 kHz was applied.