A piezoelectric-driven resonant unit for high-viscosity-liquid injection

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Materials Science
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Accurate and efficient delivery of high-viscosity liquids is crucial in various applications.
• Existing methods often struggle with low voltage/frequency operation and viscous fluid handling.
• Piezoelectric actuators offer precise control but require optimized designs for specific fluid properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a piezoelectric-driven resonant unit for high-viscosity liquid injection.
• To optimize the unit's design for efficient fluid transport at low voltage and frequency.
• To investigate the influence of liquid viscosity, actuator parameters, and gravity on performance.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a piezoelectric-driven resonant unit with an eccentrically designed valveless chamber.
• Utilizing a vibrating block fixed under a rectangular piezoelectric actuator to induce resonance.
• Employing numerical simulations for chamber design optimization.
• Conducting experimental analyses with liquids of varying viscosities, different vibrating block radii, and under gravitational influence.

Main Results:

• The unit demonstrated efficient high-viscosity liquid delivery, achieving flow rates of 52.4, 88.4, and 103.9 ml/min for liquids with viscosities of 54.42 cP, 21.13 cP, and water, respectively, at 100 V, 60 Hz.
• A significant flow rate drop of 40.7% was observed with a 157.5% increase in liquid viscosity.
• The eccentric chamber design effectively promoted positive flow and minimized backflow.

Conclusions:

• The developed piezoelectric-driven resonant unit is effective for high-viscosity liquid injection at low voltage and frequency.
• The design shows promise for applications requiring precise and efficient viscous fluid handling.
• Further optimization can enhance performance across a wider range of viscosities and operating conditions.