US4602184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for applying high frequency ultrasonic energy to cleaning and etching solutions
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1984-10-29
•
Granted: 1986-07-22
•
Expires: 2004-10-29
Abstract
Abstract High frequency ultrasonic energy is applied to a liquid medium to produce low micron size cavitation in the liquid for enhancing the cleaning or etching action of exposed surfaces within the liquid. An ultrasonic transducer is bonded to a vibration coupler which is formed of a material that is inpervious to the liquid medium and functions to efficiently transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the liquid medium. The coupler is partially immersed in the liquid while maintaining the transducer elevated above the liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen H. Meitzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:32
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/24; G10K13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for applying high frequency energy to a liquid medium comprising: transducer means formed by an elongated piezoelectric material responsive to a high frequency electrical signal for generating a high frequency vibration and located external of said liquid medium; means formed by a mechanically elastic material having opposing planar surfaces and an upper edge, with said transducer means bonded to its upper edge and being partially immersed in said liquid medium for transmitting said high frequency vibrations from said transducer means to said liquid medium, wherein said transmitting means is a glass plate selected to have a predetermined value of velocity for conducting mechanical shear waves (V s ) and to have a plate thickness (T p ) according to the relationshp F w T p =(0.707)V s where F w corresponds to the high frequency vibration being transmitted.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for applying high frequency energy to a liquid medium comprising: transducer means formed by an elongated piezoelectric material responsive to a high frequency electrical signal for generating a high frequency vibration and located external of said liquid medium; means formed by a mechanically elastic material having opposing planar surfaces and an upper edge, with said transducer means bonded to its upper edge and being partially immersed in said liquid medium for transmitting said high frequency vibrations from said transducer means to said liquid medium, wherein said transmitting means is a glass plate selected to have a predetermined value of velocity for conducting mechanical shear waves (V s ) and to have a plate thickness (T p ) according to the relationshp F w T p =(0.707)V s where F w corresponds to the high frequency vibration being transmitted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said high frequency signal is frequency modulated so as to prevent the occurrance of standing waves in said liquid medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said high frequency is on the order of approximately 1 MHz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said elongated piezoelectric transducer contains a pair of continuous electrodes bonded to opposite surfaces of said transducer along its length, said upper edge of said transmitting means contains a conductive coating and one of said transducer electrodes is bonded to said conductive coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said high frequency electrical signal is applied across said transducer between the other of said electrodes and said conductive coating on said transmitting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said transmitting means is a rectangular plate and said transducer means substantially extends along the length of an unimmersed edge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2514080A
Cited
US3245892A
Cited
US3191913A
Cited
US3240963A
Cited
US3198489A
Cited
US3180626A
Cited
US3535159A
Cited
US3591862A
Cited
US3893869A
Cited
US3893869B1
Cited
US3945618A
Cited
JPS54103267A
Cited
US4261086A
Cited
US4401131A
Cited
US4483571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |