A particle agglomeration system for improving filtering capacity of an HVAC system is disclosed. The system may include a first plate. The first plate may include a first sound generator. The system may include a second plate. The second plate may include a second sound generator. The system may include a frame. The frame may be configured to position the first plate relative to the second plate. A standing sound wave may be formable between the first sound generator and the second sound generator.

In one embodiment, a dust collecting apparatus includes a container configured to contain a fluid that includes particles to be collected. The apparatus further includes one or more sound sources configured to generate, in the container, a standing sound wave including at least one node to trap the particles in a vicinity of the node. The one or more sound sources are configured to generate the standing sound wave so that the node does not contact a wall face of the container or contacts a predetermined portion of the wall face of the container. The predetermined portion is formed of a member that prevents the particles from leaving from the node located in a vicinity of the predetermined portion.

In one embodiment, a dust collecting apparatus includes a container configured to contain a fluid that includes particles to be collected. The apparatus further includes one or more sound sources configured to generate, in the container, a standing sound wave including at least one node to trap the particles in a vicinity of the node. The one or more sound sources are configured to generate the standing sound wave so that the node does not contact a wall face of the container or contacts a predetermined portion of the wall face of the container. The predetermined portion is formed of a member that prevents the particles from leaving from the node located in a vicinity of the predetermined portion.

Disclosed is a device, suitable for use as an acoustic resonator, including a base adapted to be coupled to at least one acoustic wave generator, a spacer including an aperture and a reflector, wherein the base includes a protruding part having a thickness t; the aperture of the spacer is complementary to the protruding part of the base; the device further includes a housing having an aperture complementary to the protruding part of the base and wherein the inner edge of the aperture has the same thickness t than the protruding part; and the housing is positioned between the spacer and the reflector, such that the thickness of the inner edge of the spacer defined the thickness of a cavity between the protruding part and the reflector. Also disclosed is a method of trapping particles in a fluid.

This disclosure relates to aggregating, neutralizing, and filtering ultra-fine particles in fluids such as air and water. Fluid may be drawn from an ambient environment into a neutralization chamber. Within the neutralization chamber, particles in the fluid may be agglomerated. An acoustic field may be applied to the fluid to agglomerate the particles. The agglomerated particles may be exposed to light. The light may denature or deactivate the agglomerated particles. The agglomerated and inert particles maybe passed through a filter. After agglomeration and neutralization, the fluid may be released back into the ambient environment.

This disclosure relates to aggregating, neutralizing, and filtering ultra-fine particles in fluids such as air and water. Fluid may be drawn from an ambient environment into a neutralization chamber. Within the neutralization chamber, particles in the fluid may be agglomerated. An acoustic field may be applied to the fluid to agglomerate the particles. The agglomerated particles may be exposed to light. The light may denature or deactivate the agglomerated particles. The agglomerated and inert particles maybe passed through a filter. After agglomeration and neutralization, the fluid may be released back into the ambient environment.

Acoustophoretic devices for separating particles from a non-flowing host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a substantially acoustically transparent container and a separation unit, with the container being placed within the separation unit. An ultrasonic transducer in the separation unit creates a planar or multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave within the container, trapping particles disposed within the non-flowing fluid and causing them to coalesce or agglomerate, then separate due to buoyancy or gravity forces.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for converting energy. The method comprises receiving energy from an external source, using the received energy for inducing a mass exchange process to release thermodynamic energy, and converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the released energy is converted to a pressure wave, and the mechanical energy constituted by the pressure wave is converted to non-mechanical energy.

System and method for converting energy; the system comprising: an acoustic resonator; a phase-exchange device configured for forming across a section of said resonator a concentration gradient of a first substance in a gaseous medium contained by said resonator, to thereby generate a pressure wave within said resonator; and a conversion device for converting mechanical energy constituted by said pressure wave to non-mechanical energy.

System and method for converting energy; the system comprising: an acoustic resonator; a phase-exchange device configured for forming across a section of said resonator a concentration gradient of a first substance in a gaseous medium contained by said resonator, to thereby generate a pressure wave within said resonator; and a conversion device for converting mechanical energy constituted by said pressure wave to non-mechanical energy.