US4057070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus for mechanical workpieces
Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Co BV
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Filing: 1976-05-20
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Granted: 1977-11-08
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Expires: 1996-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A cleaning apparatus for cleaning mechanical workpieces, such as bearings, comprises a reservoir for containing a cleaning liquid, a stationary conveyor mechanism partially immersed in the cleaning liquid, and a high frequency vibration source disposed in proximity to and near the bottom of the reservoir. Responsive to the vibration source transmitting vibratory energy via a coupling medium to the cleaning liquid, the workpieces are simultaneously conveyed along the conveyor mechanism and cleansed in the cleaning liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Evert van Amerongen
- 👤 Willem M. Buhrman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:05
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/12; B08B3/123; F; F16; F16C; F16C2235/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A cleaning apparatus comprising: a reservoir adapted to contain a solvent for cleaning workpieces; a coupling liquid disposed in contact with said reservoir at the exterior thereof; conveying means arranged to cause a portion thereof to be disposed in said reservoir for contact with said solvent and causing workpieces supported by said portion to be exposed to said solvent; a source of high frequency vibratory energy disposed in proximity to the bottom of said reservoir and said portion of said conveying means, said source adapted when energized to impart high frequency vibrations via said coupling liquid to said reservoir and the solvent to cause cavitation in said solvent, and said conveying means being shaped to cause workpieces supported on said conveying means to advance themselves along said conveying means responsive solely to the combined action of gravity and cavitation produced in said solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A cleaning apparatus comprising: a reservoir adapted to contain a solvent for cleaning workpieces; a coupling liquid disposed in contact with said reservoir at the exterior thereof; conveying means arranged to cause a portion thereof to be disposed in said reservoir for contact with said solvent and causing workpieces supported by said portion to be exposed to said solvent; a source of high frequency vibratory energy disposed in proximity to the bottom of said reservoir and said portion of said conveying means, said source adapted when energized to impart high frequency vibrations via said coupling liquid to said reservoir and the solvent to cause cavitation in said solvent, and said conveying means being shaped to cause workpieces supported on said conveying means to advance themselves along said conveying means responsive solely to the combined action of gravity and cavitation produced in said solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said conveying means being stationary, and said source of vibratory energy being in juxtaposition with said portion contacting said solvent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said conveying means comprising two ascending end portions and a connecting intermediate curved portion contacting said solvent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, one of the ascending portions comprising the workpiece exit portion including solvent spray means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said portion of said conveying means comprising a guide channel which is substantially open along its length in contact with said solvent to expose workpieces supported by said guide channel to said solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said channel forming a part of said reservoir which is relatively narrow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, said reservoir being disposed in a compartment which houses said coupling liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said reservoir being a separate entity and movable relative to said coupling liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and means disposed for adjusting the position of said source of vibratory energy relative to said conveying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said reservoir having three compartments, one compartment containing the coupling liquid, another compartment containing a cleaning solvent which can be brought to an elevated temperature and a third compartment containing the cleaning solvent in liquid form condensed from a vapor zone and a condensing region disposed above said second and third compartments, said conveying means having said portion in contact with said solvent in said third compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, said conveying means having another portion disposed in said vapor zone and in said condensing region to cause workpieces to be successively exposed to said solvent in its liquid phase in said third compartment, said solvent in its vapor phase in said vapor zone and to said condensing region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, said conveying means having an inlet portion for feeding workpieces to said solvent in said third compartment, and shielding means covering said inlet portion for inhibiting from exposure of the workpieces to solvent vapor prior to being cleaned in said third compartment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said source providing energy at a predetermined frequency in the range of from 20 to 50 kHz.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said coupling liquid being water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said source of energy comprising at least two spaced sources, and said portion of said conveying means being disposed in the space between said sources.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |