Patent ID: 7744729

Claim:
A method of applying ultrasonic energy in a fluid medium, the method comprising: providing a fluid medium heated to a temperature; connecting an ultrasonic energy source to a horn, wherein the horn is a ceramic cylindrical rod defined by a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the horn length is other than one half a wavelength of the ultrasonic energy source, and further wherein at least the leading and trailing ends of the horn consist essentially of a ceramic material; immersing at least the leading end of the horn in the heated fluid medium; and operating the ultrasonic energy source such that the horn delivers ultrasonic energy to the heated fluid medium; wherein connecting an ultrasonic energy source to the horn includes: providing a titanium metal mounting component for securing the horn to the ultrasonic energy source, wherein the titanium metal mounting component defines a circular bore; interference fitting the trailing end of the horn to the mounting component wherein the trailing end of the horn is received within the circular bore to provide an interference fit of 0.003 inch at room temperature; and securing the trailing end of the horn to the mounting component by hoop stresses in the titanium metal mounting component, wherein the hoop stresses are produced in a high temperature environment of at least 200° C., further wherein a junction point between the mounting component and the trailing end of the horn is at an anti-node.