Finite-element analysis of acoustic streaming generated between a bending transducer and a reflector through second-order approximated forces

Abstract

The simulation of acoustic streaming between a bending transducer and a reflector is discussed. Instead of full fluid analysis, the streaming is calculated from second-order approximated forces of acoustic streaming and static pressure originated by the nonlinear sound field. Sound field and fluid dynamics are simulated separately under finite-element harmonic and static analyses, respectively. Through two examples of streaming, the validity of the simulation method is verified. One is streaming excited between a disk vibrator and a reflector, and the other is streaming in an ultrasonic air pump. By comparing the calculated results with the measured ones in terms of the distribution of sound pressure and streaming, it is found that the present method can well simulate the streaming in the air layer. © 2013 The Acoustical Society of Japan.