Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for removing minute particles from a substrate

US4806171A · kind A · utility

108Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1987
Grant dateFeb 21, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S134/902
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Apparatus for removing small particles from a substrate comprising a source of fluid carbon dioxide, a first means for expanding a portion of the fluid carbon dioxide into a first mixture containing gaseous carbon dioxide and fine droplets of liquid carbon dioxide, coalescing means for converting the first mixture into a second mixture containing gaseous carbon dioxide and larger liquid droplets of carbon dioxide, second expansion means for converting said second mixture into a third mixture containing solid particles of carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide, and means for directing said third mixture toward the substrate. Also disclosed are methods for removing fine particles from substrates utilizing the subject apparatus.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.