Parametric Study of Driver and Reflector of Single Axis Acoustic Levitator using Finite Element Method

Total radiation force on a spherical levitating object, which is placed between a single axis acoustic levitator, is obtained using finite element simulation. Variation in the total radiation force on the spherical levitating object with respect to the position of the object between the driver and the reflector is studied in resonance as well as non-resonance condition. Simulation results are verified with experimental results available in the literature. Further, a parametric study has been performed on the radius of curvature of driver and reflector. Three different cases have been considered. (1) Curved driver surface with flat reflector surface. (2) Curved reflector surface with flat driver surface. (3) Both driver and reflector having curved surfaces. It is observed that the case with both driver and reflector surfaces being curved results in maximum radiation force on the spherical levitating object. The values of radius of curvature for maximum radiation force for all three cases are also obtained. Total radiation forces for all three cases (with optimum value of radius of curvature) as well as the flat surfaced driver-reflector arrangement are compared.