Numerical modeling of high-power ultrasonic systems: current status and future trends

Numerical models of high power ultrasonic systems are usually based on finite element or boundary element methods. The basic physical models are linear and rely upon the theory of elasticity, the constitutive law of piezoelectricity and the theory of linear acoustics. They are only valid at low drive level. Some recent developments include nonlinearities of the transduction mechanism and of the propagation medium. In this paper, standard and advanced numerical models are discussed and illustrated by several application examples of high power ultrasonics.