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Title: Ultrasonic cleaning of interior surfaces

Abstract

An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is described for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic generator and reflector each coupled to opposing ends of the open-ended, fluid-filled tube. Fluid-tight couplings seal the reflector and generator to the tube, preventing leakage of fluid from the interior of the tube. The reflector and generator are operatively connected to actuators, whereby the distance between them can be varied. When the distance is changed, the frequency of the sound waves is simultaneously adjusted to maintain the resonant frequency of the tube so that a standing wave is formed in the tube, the nodes of which are moved axially to cause cavitation along the length of the tube. Cavitation maximizes mechanical disruption and agitation of the fluid, dislodging foreign material from the interior surface. 3 figures.

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5181600
Patent Number(s):
US 5289838; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-813729
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC ()
DOE Contract Number:  
AC09-89SR18035
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 27 Dec 1991
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; MAINTENANCE FACILITIES; DESIGN; TUBES; SURFACE CLEANING; DECONTAMINATION; OPERATION; SEALS; ULTRASONIC WAVES; CLEANING; SOUND WAVES; SURFACE FINISHING; 420200* - Engineering- Facilities, Equipment, & Techniques

Citation Formats

MacKenzie, D, and Odell, C. Ultrasonic cleaning of interior surfaces. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
MacKenzie, D, & Odell, C. Ultrasonic cleaning of interior surfaces. United States.
MacKenzie, D, and Odell, C. 1994. "Ultrasonic cleaning of interior surfaces". United States.
@article{osti_5181600,
title = {Ultrasonic cleaning of interior surfaces},
author = {MacKenzie, D and Odell, C},
abstractNote = {An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is described for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic generator and reflector each coupled to opposing ends of the open-ended, fluid-filled tube. Fluid-tight couplings seal the reflector and generator to the tube, preventing leakage of fluid from the interior of the tube. The reflector and generator are operatively connected to actuators, whereby the distance between them can be varied. When the distance is changed, the frequency of the sound waves is simultaneously adjusted to maintain the resonant frequency of the tube so that a standing wave is formed in the tube, the nodes of which are moved axially to cause cavitation along the length of the tube. Cavitation maximizes mechanical disruption and agitation of the fluid, dislodging foreign material from the interior surface. 3 figures.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5181600}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}