Robust Piezoelectric Sound Source with Helmholtz Acoustic Amplification

KCF Technologies proposes to develop a robust and efficient sound generator for separation/isolation of aerosols. The critical limitations in the performance of conventional piezoelectric sound generators include degradation in performance over long periods of operation, poor electro-acoustic efficiencies at high amplitude drive levels, and large tolerances in their acoustic performance. These problems are not fundamental to piezoelectric devices; rather, they are related to conventional piezoelectric sound generator design and manufacturing. KCF proposes to solve these problems with an aggressive approach that addresses the essential features that are responsible for the performance degradations. A tuned Helmholtz resonator will be used to provide large gains in the SPL. In Phase I, KCF will develop a sound generator that demonstrates SPL in excess of 140 dB at 1m in a plane wave tube, exhibits at a stable SPL and frequency over a 2 month period, and requires less than 4 watts of continuous power for a package size smaller than 0.5 cubic inches. In Phase II, KCF will optimize the sound generator and work with its commercial partners in the piezoelectric industry to prepare for volume manufacturing of the sound generators.