Multistaging of nonuniform area resonator based fluidic acoustic pump

Feasibility of multistaging of a nonuniform area resonator based fluidic pump, both in series as well as in parallel, is discussed in comparison with single stage pump. Multistaging up to two stages was carried out in this study. Multistaging was successful in achieving higher flow rates and higher back pressures than a single stage pump. Series pump delivered 1.8 times the pressure for zero flow rate, whereas parallel pump delivered 2.3 times the flow rate at zero back pressure. Of all three configurations, single stage pump was found to have the best efficiency based on the input power requirements. It was also found that the acoustic interactions between the stages can affect the performance of the pump.