Patent · US Expired

Pressure pulse cleaning

US5514220A · kind A · utility

57Cited by
2References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 1992
Grant dateMay 7, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB08B7/0021
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention is a method which relies on pressure pulse cleaning. By "pressure pulse cleaning" it is meant that the pressure and temperature of a fluid, such as carbon dioxide is raised to near or above supercritical conditions, which is then contacted with the item(s) to be cleaned. Periodically, the pressure of the supercritical fluid is pulsed or spiked to higher levels and returned to substantially the original level. Potential candidates for treatment by the present invention include but are not limited to precision parts such as gyroscopes used in missile guidance systems, accelerometers, thermal switches, nuclear valve seals, electromechanical assemblies, polymeric containers, special camera lenses, laser optics components, and porous ceramics.

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