An object transport system using flexural ultrasonic progressive waves generated by two-mode excitation

An object transport system using low amplitude and high frequency progressive waves generated by two-mode excitation is presented. A theoretical model for the system was developed using normal mode expansion and the modal participation factor. To identify the factors that affect the transport speed, the changes with the mass of objects on the beam, the input power, the phase difference, and the excitation frequency were experimentally investigated. With a power input of 40 W, a transport speed of 10 cm/s was obtained for an object weighing 30 g. The tests indicate that, not only the phase difference but also the excitation frequency, were the dominant factors in determining the transport speed and direction. Specifically, when the excitation frequency was chosen to be at the exact midpoint of the two modes, the object stopped moving. A slight change of frequency in either direction resulted in change of object transport direction. For actual factory application, a simple stop-go and tracking control using the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) were implemented.