Confined underwater cryogenic surface preparation
US6468358B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB08B7/0092
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A portable, diver-operated cryogenic freezing unit cleans surfaces underwater. A housing has a first chamber that contains cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, and a second chamber is disposed adjacent to an end portion that fits about contaminating matter on a surface underwater. A valve vents cryogenic liquid from the first chamber to expand as gas in the second chamber. The vented cryogenic liquid and gas freeze a slug of water and the contaminating matter on the surface within the end portion. The housing is bent, twisted or otherwise displaced to break or pry-away and remove the frozen slug of water and contaminating matter from the surface to thereby clean it. A method of cleaning a surface underwater using the cryogenic freezing unit is described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.