Tools for measuring surface cleanliness

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874474

Schroder, Mark Stewart ^[1]; Woodmansee, Donald Ernest ^[2]; Beadie, Douglas Frank ^[3]

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1. Hendersonville, NC
2. Simpsonville, SC
3. Greenville, SC

A procedure and tools for quantifying surface cleanliness are described. Cleanliness of a target surface is quantified by wiping a prescribed area of the surface with a flexible, bright white cloth swatch, preferably mounted on a special tool. The cloth picks up a substantial amount of any particulate surface contamination. The amount of contamination is determined by measuring the reflectivity loss of the cloth before and after wiping on the contaminated system and comparing that loss to a previous calibration with similar contamination. In the alternative, a visual comparison of the contaminated cloth to a contamination key provides an indication of the surface cleanliness.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-95MC31176
• Assignee: General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 6397690
• OSTI ID: 874474
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

tools
measuring
surface
cleanliness
procedure
quantifying
described
target
quantified
wiping
prescribed
flexible
bright
white
cloth
swatch
mounted
special
tool
picks
substantial
amount
particulate
contamination
determined
reflectivity
loss
contaminated
comparing
previous
calibration
similar
alternative
visual
comparison
key
provides
indication
measuring surface
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