Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic agitator

US5409594A · kind A · utility

37Cited by
8References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1993
Grant dateApr 25, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25F1/04
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An ultrasonic agitator (10) for generating turbulence in the vicinity of elongated metal workpieces (12) such as newly formed strands of wire. The system includes a bath (14) that is filled with a cleaning solution (16). The workpiece is introduced into the bath so as to move along a predetermined path of travel. One or more transducers (20, 24) are disposed in the bath to produce ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution. The transducers are further configured and spaced so that the focal points of the vibrations substantially coincide with the path of travel with the workpiece. The transducers are driven by a signal generator (28) that causes the transducers to vibrate at a frequency between 0.5 and 3.0 MHz. The vibrations of the transducers produce ultrasonic waves that can be used to scrub off contaminants from the surface of the workpiece.

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