Apparatus for removing small particles from a substrate

Claim 2

Apparatus for removing small particles from a substrate comprising: (a) a source of fluid carbon dioxide under pressure and having an enthalpy below about 135 BTU per pound based on an enthalpy of 0 at 150 psia for a saturated liquid, so that a solid fraction will form upon the expansion of the fluid carbon dioxide to the ambient pressure of the substrate; (b) a nozzle having a first opening for receiving the fluid carbon dioxide from the source and a second opening for emitting a mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide toward the substrate, said nozzle further comprising, said (1) a pair of plates adapted to be superimposed over each other collectively defining a first chamber connected to the first opening and a second chamber spaced apart from the first chamber; (2) a foil-like member interposed between the superimposed plates comprising a hole aligned with the first opening for providing a pathway for the flow of fluid into the first chamber, and at least two finger-like projections extending from the first chamber to the second chamber and together with the superimposed plates forming at least one first channel providing flow communication between the first and second chambers, wherein the at least one first channel is sized to form a restriction such that the fluid forms a first mixture of gaseous carbon dioxide and fine droplets of liquid carbon dioxide in the at least one first channel and wherein the first mixture is converted in the second chamber to a second mixture containing gaseous carbon dioxide and large liquid droplets of carbon dioxide; and (3) a second channel extending from the second chamber to the second opening enabling the second mixture to expand into said mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide and exit out of the second opening toward the substrate.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second chamber comprises substantially parallel superimposed transverse grooves extending along a substantial width of the plates.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first chamber comprises a transverse groove on one plate and a flat surface portion of the other plate superimposed over said transverse groove.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first chamber comprises substantially parallel superimposed transverse grooves extending along a substantial width of the plates.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the length of the second chamber is about equal to the width of the second opening.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sum of the widths of the first channels is at least about 10% of the width of the second opening.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the sum of the widths of the first channels is from about 10 to 20% of the width of the second opening.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of first channels.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second opening comprises divergently tapered walls having an angle of divergence of up to 15°.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the angle of divergence is about 4° to 8°.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the width of the foil-like member is at least about 0.001 inch.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the width of the foil-like member is from about 0.001" to 0.020 inch.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining the pressure in the second chamber from about 80 to 160 psia.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining said plates in said superimposed position.

Claim 16

Apparatus for removing small particles from a substrate comprising: (a) a source of fluid carbon dioxide under pressure and having an enthalpy of below about 135 BTU per pound based on an enthalpy of zero at 150 psia for a saturated liquid, so that a solid fraction will form upon the expansion of the fluid carbon dioxide to the ambient pressure of the substrate; (b) a nozzle having a first opening for receiving the fluid carbon dioxide from the source and a second opening having tapered walls diverging at an angle of up to 15° for emitting a mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide toward the substrate, said nozzle further comprising, (1) a pair of plates adapted to be superimposed over each other collectively defining a first chamber connected to the first opening and having complimentary transverse grooves which when superimposed define a second chamber spaced apart from the first chamber, said first and second chambers having a length of from 20 to 60% of the overall width of the plates; (2) a foil-like member interposed between the superimposed plates and comprising a hole aligned with the first opening for providing a pathway for the flow of said fluid into the first chamber, and at least three finger-like projections extending from the first chamber to the second chamber and together with the superimposed plates forming at least two first channels having a combined width of the second opening and providing flow communication between the first and second chambers, wherein each of the at least two first channels are sized to form a restriction such that the fluid forms a first mixture of gaseous carbon dioxide and fine droplets of liquid carbon dioxide in the at least two first channels and wherein the first mixture is converted in the second chamber to a second mixture containing gaseous carbon dioxide and larger liquid droplets of carbon dioxide; and (3) a second channel extending from the second chamber to the second opening enabling the second mixture to expand into said mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide and exit out of the second opening toward the substrate.

Claim 17

Apparatus for removing small particles from a substrate comprising: (a) a source of fluid carbon dioxide under pressure and having an enthalpy of below about 135 BTU per pound based on an enthalpy of zero at 150 psia for a saturated liquid, so that a solid fraction will form upon the expansion of the fluid carbon dioxide to the ambient pressure of the substrate; (b) a nozzle having a first opening for receiving the fluid carbon dioxide from the source and a second opening having tapered walls diverging at an angle of up to 15° for emitting a mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide toward the substrate, said nozzle further comprising, (1) a pair of plates adapted to be superimposed over each other collectively defining a first chamber connected to the first opening and having complimentary transverse grooves which when superimposed define a second chamber spaced apart from the first chamber, said first and second chambers having a length of from 20 to 60% of the overall width of the plates; (2) a foil-like member interposed between the superimposed plates and comprising a hole aligned with the first opening for providing a pathway for the flow of said fluid into the first chamber, and at least three finger-like projections extending from the first chamber to the second chamber and together with the superimposed plates forming at least two first channels having a combined width of the second opening and providing flow communication between the first and second chambers, wherein each of the at least two first channels are sized to form a restriction such that the fluid forms a first mixture of gaseous carbon dioxide and fine droplets of liquid carbon dioxide in the at least two first channels and wherein the first mixture is converted in the second chamber to a second mixture containing gaseous carbon dioxide and larger liquid droplets of carbon dioxide; and (3) a second channel extending from the second chamber to the second opening enabling the second mixture to expand into said mixture of solid and gaseous carbon dioxide and exit out of the second opening toward the substrate.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sum of the widths of the first channels is from about 10 to 20% of the width of the second opening.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second opening comprises divergently tapered walls having an angle of divergence of 4 to 8°.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the thickness of the foil-like member is at least 0.001 inch.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for maintaining the pressure in the second chamber from about 80 to 160 psia.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for maintaining said plates in said superimposed position.