Acoustic bubble removal method

US4398925A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Eugene H. Trinh · Los Angeles, US
• Daniel D. Elleman · San Marino, US
• Taylor G. Wang · Glendale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 1982
• Grant date: Aug 16, 1983
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B5/225
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method is described for removing bubbles (14) from a liquid bath (12), such as a bath of molten glass to be used for optical elements. Larger bubbles are first removed by applying acoustic energy resonant to a bath dimension (H) to drive the larger bubbles toward a pressure well (30) where the bubbles can coalesce and then be more easily removed. Thereafter, submillimeter bubbles (50) are removed by applying acoustic energy of frequencies resonant to the small bubbles to oscillate them and thereby stir liquid immediately about the bubbles to facilitate their breakup and absorption into the liquid (16).