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US4120699A
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US
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Method for acoustical cleaning
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-03-18
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Granted: 1978-10-17
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Expires: 1996-03-18
Abstract
Abstract In one exemplary embodiment, the efficiency of an acoustic-energy-type cleaner for vessels, such as heat exchangers, is substantially increased by propagating through the fluid in the vessel, a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains, and continuously varying at least the frequency or phase relationship of said opposing wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic waves to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval for sweeping over the surfaces of the body to be cleaned.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin B. Kennedy, Jr.
- 👤 Lawrence E. Shirey
- 👤 Harper Eugene Sharp
- 👤 Lawrence E. Trowbridge
- 👤 Robert L. Magee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:02
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/12; F; F28; F28G; F28G7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the frequency of at least one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the frequency of at least one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the phase relationship of at least one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the phase relationship of at least one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying at least one of the frequency and phase relationships of at least one of said opposing wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
153 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying at least one of the frequency and phase relationships of at least one of said opposing wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the surfaces of the body by sweeping over the surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein the frequency of said acoustic wave trains are in the ultrasonic range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 3, wherein said acoustic wave trains travel in substantially direct opposition to each other.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, was continuously varying the frequency and phase relationship one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the walls.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of cleaning the surfaces of a body immersed in a liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in said vessel, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, and limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, was continuously varying the frequency and phase relationship one of said wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between said opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that are spatially displaced in relation to each other and successive in time interval, each augmented wave having an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 6, wherein the frequency of said acoustic wave trains are in the ultrasonic range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 6, wherein said acoustic wave trains travel in substantially direct opposition to each other.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of cleaning sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the surfaces of the walls of a heat exchanger jacket containing a liquid and the surfaces of a bundle of tubes supported within the jacket, comprising: propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in the jacket, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the frequency and phase relationship of one of the acoustic wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between the opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that have an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the surfaces.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of cleaning sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the surfaces of the walls of a heat exchanger jacket containing a liquid and the surfaces of a bundle of tubes supported within the jacket, comprising: propagating a plurality of opposing acoustic wave trains through the liquid in the jacket, wherein each wave train includes a series of wave fronts having a frequency and phase relationship, limiting the energy level in each wave train to below the cavitation level of the liquid, and continuously varying the frequency and phase relationship of one of the acoustic wave trains with respect to the other wave trains for causing constructive interference between the opposing acoustic wave trains to create a series of augmented acoustic waves that have an intensity greater than the cavitation level of the liquid for cleaning the sediment from and impeding the deposition of sediment on the surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 9, wherein the frequency of said acoustic wave trains are in the ultrasonic range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as described in claim 9, wherein said acoustic wave trains travel in substantially direct opposition to each other.
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) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |