Cavitation chamber with flexibly mounted reflector
US7461965B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J19/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A cavitation chamber separated into two volumes by a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal, the seal formed by the combination of a rigid acoustic reflector and a flexible member, is provided. The rigid reflector improves the cavitation characteristics of the chamber while the flexible member insures that the reflector can move during the cavitation process. One of the two chamber volumes is filled, or at least partially filled, with cavitation fluid while the other chamber volume remains devoid of cavitation fluid during system operation. A conduit couples a region above the liquid free surface in one cavitation volume to the second, unfilled chamber volume, thus preventing the reflector from being subjected to undue pressures. An acoustic driver, such as a ring of piezoelectric material, is coupled to the chamber and used to drive cavitation within the cavitation fluid contained within the chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.