US4071376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic cleaning with floating transducers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-26
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of cleaning a surface by means of ultrasonic waves propagated through a liquid medium, having particular utility in the decontamination of the external or internal surfaces of nuclear fuel casks. For external surface cleaning, a hollow cylinder, open at both ends, is placed over the cask and sealed to the base plate. A buoyant ring, to which ultrasonic transducers are attached, is placed within the cylinder, encircling the cask. The cylinder is then filled with a cleaning solution and the ring floats from the bottom to the top of the cask as power is supplied to the transducers to produce cavitation of the solution. The cylinder is then drained and the ultrasonic cleaning is preferably continued as the ring is lowered with the level of the solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry M. McNeer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:03
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/12; B08B2203/00; B08B2203/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of cleaning a surface comprising: a. forming an enclosed, substantially liquid-tight chamber within which the surface to be cleaned is fully exposed; b. attaching at least one ultrasonic transducer to floatation means capable of supporting said transducer in a liquid medium; c. positioning said floatation means and transducer within said chamber at a vertical level at least as low as the lowest point on, and with the wave-emitting surface of said transducers facing toward said surface to be cleaned; d. filling said chamber with a liquid medium from the lowest to the highest point to be cleaned on said surface, whereby said floatation means and transducer float from said lowest to said highest point; e. applying power to said transducer during said filling sufficient to cause cavitation of said liquid medium, thereby cleaning said surface; and f. draining said liquid medium from said chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of cleaning a surface comprising: a. forming an enclosed, substantially liquid-tight chamber within which the surface to be cleaned is fully exposed; b. attaching at least one ultrasonic transducer to floatation means capable of supporting said transducer in a liquid medium; c. positioning said floatation means and transducer within said chamber at a vertical level at least as low as the lowest point on, and with the wave-emitting surface of said transducers facing toward said surface to be cleaned; d. filling said chamber with a liquid medium from the lowest to the highest point to be cleaned on said surface, whereby said floatation means and transducer float from said lowest to said highest point; e. applying power to said transducer during said filling sufficient to cause cavitation of said liquid medium, thereby cleaning said surface; and f. draining said liquid medium from said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including the step of applying power to said transducer as said liquid medium is drained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the surface to be cleaned is an external surface of an object and said chamber is formed by placing a hollow cylinder around said object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said floatation means is annular and encircles said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of transducers are attached in a substantially continuous array around said floatation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said transducers are mounted beneath said floatation means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said object is a nuclear fuel cask.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said liquid medium is water containing a detergent in solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said detergent is acetic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the surface to be cleaned is the internal surface of a cylinder which forms said chamber.
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) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |