Claims
- 1. A process for aligning fibrous elements which are loosely immersed in a fluid matrix, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first actuator member adjacent a base material, said base material comprising a plurality of fibrous elements immersed within a fluid matrix;
- positioning a second actuator member adjacent said base material;
- aligning said first actuator member with said second actuator member along a longitudinal axis;
- positioning said first actuator member perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
- positioning said second actuator member perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
- introducing vibrational energy into said base material to establish a standing compression wave in said base material between said first actuator member and said second actuator member;
- wherein said step of introducing vibrational energy into said base material to establish a standing compression wave comprises:
- oscillating said first actuator member parallel to said longitudinal axis at a first frequency;
- reflecting said standing wave off of said second actuator member;
- oscillating said second actuator member parallel to said longitudinal axis at said first frequency;
- reflecting said standing wave off of said first actuator member;
- said standing compression wave having at least one node intermediately disposed in said base material between said first actuator member and said second actuator member;
- and wherein said vibrational energy causes said fibrous elements to accumulate at said node.
- 2. The process according to claim 1,
- further comprising controlling a phase angle of oscillation of said first actuator member;
- and controlling a phase angle of oscillation of said second actuator member to correspond to said phase angle of oscillation of said first actuator member.
- 3. The process according to claim 2,
- wherein said first actuator member comprises a first planar surface, and further comprising positioning said first planar surface perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
- wherein said second actuator member comprises a second planar surface, and further comprising positioning said second planar surface perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
- wherein said step of oscillating said first actuator member comprises oscillating said first planar surface parallel to said longitudinal axis;
- and wherein said step of oscillating said second actuator member comprises oscillating said second planar surface parallel to said longitudinal axis.
- 4. The process according to claim 3,
- wherein said standing compression wave has a first wave length;
- wherein said first wave length is smaller than a first distance measurable across said first planar surface;
- wherein said first wave length is smaller than a second distance measurable across said second planar surface;
- and wherein said standing compression wave has substantially planar wave fronts.
CROSS REFERENCE
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/812,178 filed Mar. 06, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,241.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
812178 |
Mar 1997 |
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