US5339844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low cost equipment for cleaning using liquefiable gases
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1993-09-07
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Granted: 1994-08-23
•
Expires: 2013-09-07
Abstract
Abstract Precision cleaning of parts is performed with liquefiable gases, such as CO 2 , without the use of a complex and costly processor system. Rather, simplified and reliable performance for small scale and "low end" cleaning applications is accomplished without the use of pumps and condensers. The apparatus for removing undesired material from a chosen substrate comprises: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and the substrate containing the undesired particulates and contaminants, the walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting the substrate in the cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to the walled vessel within the cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to the walled vessel for introducing the liquefiable gas into the cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to the cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within the chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing the liquefiable gas to the inlet means; (g) means for changing the liquefiable gas to the liquid; and (h) outlet means in the chamber for removing the liquid from the cleaning chamber. The liquid may then be further treated to remove particulates and organic contaminants and either recycled to the cleaning chamber or vented to the atmosphere. The process is especially applicable for general degreasing and particulate removal processes, when high precision cleaning is not required.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr. Thomas B. Stanford
- 👤 Sidney C. Chao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:52
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F43/00; D06F43/007; B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/12; B08B7/00; B08B7/0021; D06F19/00; D06F43/08; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) means for changing said liquefiable gas to said liquid; and (h) outlet means in said cleaning chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) means for changing said liquefiable gas to said liquid; and (h) outlet means in said cleaning chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including filtering means for removal of particulates from said liquid, said filtering means associated with said outlet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus comprises a closed, recycling system, with said filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid after removal from said cleaning chamber, wherein said means for providing said liquid from said liquefiable gas comprises a compressor means between said filtering means and said reservoir means for ensuring that said liquefiable gas is in its liquid state, said apparatus further including a heat exchanger between said reservoir means and said inlet means for controlling the temperature of said liquid prior to introduction thereof into said cleaning chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including a pressure reduction valve between said filtering means and said compressor means for converting said filtered liquid to its gaseous state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including (a) a separator means following said filtering means and before said compressor means for (1) removing particulates on the order of 0.1 to 1 μm and organic matter from said liquid and (2) converting said filtered liquid to its gaseous state, and (b) a cyclone means for removing small particulates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including monitoring means for monitoring particulate and organic contaminant levels, said monitoring means associated with said outlet means to monitor said liquid after removal thereof from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus comprises a vented system, with said filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid prior to removal from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including a separator associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 0.1 to 1 μm from said liquid following passage of said liquid through said filter and prior to venting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including a heating means within said reservoir for heating said liquefiable gas contained therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
257 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate, said apparatus comprising a closed, recycling system comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) outlet means in said chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber; (h) filtering means for removal of particulates from said liquid, said filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid after removal from said cleaning chamber; (i) a compressor means between said filtering means and said reservoir means for ensuring that said liquefiable gas is in liquid form; and (j) a heat exchanger between said reservoir means and said inlet means for controlling the temperature of said liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
257 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate, said apparatus comprising a closed, recycling system comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) outlet means in said chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber; (h) filtering means for removal of particulates from said liquid, said filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid after removal from said cleaning chamber; (i) a compressor means between said filtering means and said reservoir means for ensuring that said liquefiable gas is in liquid form; and (j) a heat exchanger between said reservoir means and said inlet means for controlling the temperature of said liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including a pressure reduction valve between said filtering means and said compressor means for converting said filtered liquid to its gaseous state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including (a) a separator means following said filtering means and before said compressor means for (1) removing particulates on the order of 0.1 to 1 μm and organic matter from said liquid and (2) converting said filtered liquid to its gaseous state, and (b) a cyclone means for removing small particulates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further including monitoring means for monitoring particulate and organic contaminant levels, said monitoring means associated with said outlet means to monitor said liquid after removal thereof from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate comprising a vented system comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) means for changing said liquefiable gas to said liquid; (h) outlet means in said chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber; and (i) filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid prior to removal from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for removing undesired particulates and contaminants from a major surface of a chosen substrate comprising a vented system comprising: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and said substrate containing said undesired particulates and contaminants, said walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm 2 ) at ambient temperature; (b) means for supporting said substrate in said cleaning chamber; (c) ultrasonic energy-producing transducer means attached to said walled vessel within said cleaning chamber; (d) inlet means attached to said walled vessel for introducing said liquefiable gas into said cleaning chamber under a pressure less than about 900 pounds per square inch (63.3 kg/cm 2 ); (e) temperature control means connected to said cleaning chamber for controlling the temperature within said chamber up to about 50° C.; (f) reservoir means for providing said liquefiable gas to said inlet means; (g) means for changing said liquefiable gas to said liquid; (h) outlet means in said chamber for removing said liquid from said cleaning chamber; and (i) filtering means associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 10 to 100 μm from said liquid prior to removal from said cleaning chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including a separator associated with said outlet means for removal of particulates on the order of 0.1 to 1 μm from said liquid following passage of said liquid through said filter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including a heating means within said reservoir for heating said liquefiable gas contained therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-22 | 1998-02-21 | 1998-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-22 | 2002-02-21 | 2002-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-22 | 2006-02-21 | 2006-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |