US5366562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for removing viscoelastic contaminants from holes
Assignee: Continental AG
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Filing: 1991-02-07
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2011-02-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method for the removal of viscoelastic rubber residues from deep holes. The cleaning tool is suggested in the form of a jet of fluid droplets. The fluid is accelerated by a high-pressure pump and a narrow valve to a velocity above the speed of sound of the material to be removed. The distance between the valve and the hole to be cleaned is made greater as the valve cross-section is made smaller in relation to the cross-section of the hole to be cleaned.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz J. Schwarze
- 👤 Robert Kopp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:21
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/27; B08B2220/00; B08B2220/04; B29C48/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A cleaning method for removing tacky, plug-shaped residues of an elastoplastic material from holes having a depth greater than their inner diameter D L , whereby the elastoplastic material is forced out in one direction while essentially maintaining its plug shape; said method comprising the steps of: accelerating a liquid jet by employing high pressure of between 150 to 190 bar within a fluid jet valve to a velocity v with which liquid droplets in said liquid jet hit the residues of elastoplastic material, with v≧c, c being the speed of sound of the residues of elastoplastic material; forcing out the residues of elastoplastic material by said liquid jet; wherein the residues of elastoplastic material have a density ρ K and the liquid of said liquid jet has a density ρ F with ρ K >ρ F ; and further comprising the step of adjusting said liquid velocity v and said speed of sound c according to the equation ##EQU1##
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A cleaning method for removing tacky, plug-shaped residues of an elastoplastic material from holes having a depth greater than their inner diameter D L , whereby the elastoplastic material is forced out in one direction while essentially maintaining its plug shape; said method comprising the steps of: accelerating a liquid jet by employing high pressure of between 150 to 190 bar within a fluid jet valve to a velocity v with which liquid droplets in said liquid jet hit the residues of elastoplastic material, with v≧c, c being the speed of sound of the residues of elastoplastic material; forcing out the residues of elastoplastic material by said liquid jet; wherein the residues of elastoplastic material have a density ρ K and the liquid of said liquid jet has a density ρ F with ρ K >ρ F ; and further comprising the step of adjusting said liquid velocity v and said speed of sound c according to the equation ##EQU1##
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A cleaning method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of setting a diameter D F of said liquid jet; through which 95% of the total liquid volume passes, to 1.0 to 1.5 times said inner diameter D L of the holes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cleaning method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: applying a pressure of 150 to 190 bar in a fluid line leading to said fluid jet valve during operation; and adjusting the liquid volume stream to said fluid jet valve to between 50 and 150 ml/sec.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A cleaning method according to claim 3, wherein the inner diameter D D of said fluid jet valve is 1 to 1.5 mm; further comprising the step of adjusting a distance between said fluid jet valve and the holes to 180 to 240 mm when said inner diameter D L of the holes is approximately 10 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid of said liquid jet is water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the water is free of substances that induce the solubility of the residues of elastoplastic material; further comprising the step of mechanically filtering the residues of elastoplastic material from the water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said substances are soaps, alcohols, and acetone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: providing a closed water circuit; collecting the water of the liquid jet; and recycling the collected and filtered water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the residues of elastoplastic material are insoluble in the liquid of said liquid jet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3799178A
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US4366003A
Cited
EP0062111A2
Cited
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Cited
US4899697A
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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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |