
Rev. 6-12
9
4. Principles of Operation
The ultrasonic electronic generator transforms AC line power to a 20 KHz signal that rives a
piezoelectric converter/trans ucer. This electrical signal is converte by the trans ucer to a mechanical
vibration ue to the characteristics of the internal piezoelectric crystals.
The vibration is amplifie an transmitte own the length of the horn/probe where the tip longitu inally
expan s an contracts. The istance the tip travels is epen ent on the amplitu e selecte by the user
through the touch screen pa . As you increase the amplitu e setting the sonication intensity will increase
within your sample.
In liqui , the rapi vibration of the tip causes cavitation, the formation an violent collapse of microscopic
bubbles. The collapse of thousan s of cavitation bubbles releases tremen ous energy in the cavitation
fiel . The erosion an shock effect of the collapse of the cavitation bubble is the primary mechanism of
flui processing.
The probe tip iameter ictates the amount of sample that can be effectively processe . Smaller tip
iameters (Microtip probes) eliver high intensity sonication but the energy is focuse within a small,
concentrate area. Larger tip iameters can process larger volumes, but offer lower intensity.
The choices of a generator an horns/probes are matche to the volume, viscosity an other parameters
of the particular application. Horns are available for both irect an in irect sonication. The Accessories
section has more information on this subject.
Please consult with a product specialist for assistance with selecting a probe for your application.
Relationship of Amplitude and attage
Sonication power is measure in watts. Amplitu e is a measurement of the excursion of the tip of the
probe (probe is also known as a horn).
Some ultrasonic processors have a wattage isplay. During operation, the wattage isplaye is the
energy require to rive the ra iating face of a probe, at that specific amplitu e setting against a specific
loa , at that particular moment. For example, the unit experiences a higher loa when processing
viscous samples then when compare to aqueous samples.
The spee /cruise control on an automobile, can, to a certain extent, be compare to an Ultrasonic
Processor. The spee /cruise control is esigne to ensure that the vehicle maintains a constant rate of
travel. As the terrain elevations change, so o the power requirements. The cruise control senses these
requirements, an automatically a justs the amount of power elivere by the engine in or er to
compensate for these ever changing con itions. The greater the terrain rate of incline an greater the
resistance to the movement of the vehicle, the greater the amount of power that will be elivere by the
engine to overcome that resistance an maintain a constant spee .
The ultrasonic processor was esigne to eliver constant amplitu e, to your liqui sample, regar less of
these changes in loa (much like the vehicle’s cruise control escribe above). As a liqui is processe ,
the loa on the probe will vary ue to changes in the liqui sample (i.e. viscosity, concentration,
temperature, etc.). As the resistance to the movement of the probe increases (increase loa on the
probe), a itional power will be elivere by the power supply to ensure that the excursion at the probe
tip remains constant. The isplaye wattage rea ings will vary as the loa changes, however the
amplitu e will remain the same.
The resistance to the movement of the probe etermines how much power will be elivere to maintain
amplitu e. For example, a ½” probe at 100% amplitu e will require approximately 5 watts to operate in
air. The amplitu e of this probe is approximately 120um. Insert the probe in water an the wattage
rea ing will increase to approximately 90 watts. The wattage require to operate the probe will increase