Smart Ultrasonics MMM Technology
MMM Technology: The Future of Ultrasonic Structural Actuators
Moving beyond Single-Frequency Resonance to Multifrequency, Multimode, Modulated Excitation
- MMM: Multi frequency, multi mode, modulated
- Core Concept: Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) initiates rising and relaxing multimode mechanical oscillations.
- Goal: Pulse-repetitive, phase, frequency, and amplitude-modulated bulk-wave excitation in arbitrary structures.
Prior Art: Single Frequency
MMM Signal: Modulated & Adaptive
A Shift from “Forced Resonance” to “Tracking Natural Modes”
Prior Art
MMM Technology
The Conflict
Traditional systems create standing waves with uneven energy. Requires precise tunning.
The solution
MMM dynamically excites a wide band of natural mechanical modes (harmonics/subharmonics)
The Result
Uniform acoustical activity regardless of mass, shape or complexity
The constraint of prior art: Standing Waves and Rigid Tuning
- Single Frequency Limitation: Operates in a narrow interval (<10% of resonant frequency).
- The Standing Wave Problem: Stationary nodal zones creates dead spots.
- Operation Fragility: Slight changes in temperature or mass detune the system, causing failure.
The Innovation: Wideband Multimode Excitation
- The Mechanism: Pulse repetitive patterns, frequency and amplitude modulated.
- Spectral Coverage: Sweeps the ‘acoustic reality’ of the load from infrasonic to MHz.
- Harmonic Activation: Synchronously excites coupled modes (axial, radial, bending, torsional).
The Physics Analogy: The Ringing Bell
Strike a bell once and it rings at multiple frequencies (harmonics) as it decays.
MMM Application: The generator provides the ‘strike’ (pulse). The load (bell) resonates in it’s natural modes. The system modulates to follow the natural decay before striking again.
The System Architecture & Components
‘Ping Pong Echoes’ and The Doppler Effect
- Acoustic Mirrors: The converter and the load acts as oscillating mirrors reflecting wave back and forth.
- Interference: Traveling wave interfere, creating a chaotic but controlled distribution.
- Self-Generated Doppler: Vibrating mirrors shift frequencies and phase-modulated the waves, eliminating stationary dead spots.
Intelligent Modulation and DSP Control
1. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
3. FM (Frequency Modulation)
2 . AM (Amplitude Modulation)
4 . PM (Phase Modulation)
- Calculated Chaos: Oscillations follow a programmable pulse repetitive pattern, not random noise
- Real-Time Adaptation: The signal adapts to impedance changes instantly, optimizing the waveform for the specific mechanical structure.
Adaptive vs. Tuned System
Traditional Ultrasonics
- Precise impedance matching required.
- Limited to simple geometries (tuned length).
- Heat sensitive; transducer must be close to load.
MMM Technology
- Adapts to ‘un-tuned’ loads of arbitrary mass/shape
- Drives complex structures (autoclaves/extruders).
- High Temp Handling: Wave-guides up to 3 meters separates transducer from heat.
Extended Wave-Guide for High Heat: Transducer isolated from process heat by long wave-guide
Maximizing Active Power Transfer
The Goal
Transfer Real Power to the load. Maximizing Reactive Power bouncing back to the generator.
Maximizing Active Power Tracking
System treats the mechanical load as resistive/fractional, ensuring force and velocity waves are in the phase.
The “Power-BFF” Control Methodology
Result: The Power Factor = 1. The system appears as a pure resistive load to the grid.
Robust Stability: Overload Protection and Feedback
Applications: Fluids and Sonochemistry
Why MMM?
Elimination of standing waves ensures no dead zones. Uniform agitation accelerates reactions and cleaning in complex geometries.
MIXING/HOMOGENIZATION
Uniform particle distribution.
LIQUID METAL TREATMENT
Ladle pouring molten metal with bubble removal (degassing)
AUTOMIZATION
Spray nozzle creating fine mist.
CLEANING
Complex filter part submerged in a tank.
Applications: Solid and Structural Actuatuin
Why MMM?
Drives arbitrary, heavy, thick-walled structures that traditional transducers cannot move. Ideal for cold stress relief and assisted manufacturing.
Stress Relief
Artificial aging.
Welding
Two plastic parts joining with a weld steam.
Extrusion
Friction reduction.
Pipe/Tank Activation
Large pressurized reservoir tank vibrating.
Summary: The strategic advantage of MMM
Efficiency
Max Active Power transfer with power factor 1.
Versatility
Drives complex heavy loads impossible for traditional ultrasonics.
Reliablity
Robust DSP control eliminates standing waves.