Cavitation controlled acoustic probe for fabric spot cleaning and moisture monitoring

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871177

Sheen, Shuh-Haw ^[1]; Chien, Hual-Te ^[1]; Raptis, Apostolos C ^[2]

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1. Naperville, IL
2. Downers Grove, IL

A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a fabric. An acoustic probe generates acoustic waves relative to the fabric. An acoustic sensor, such as an accelerometer is coupled to the acoustic probe for generating a signal representative of cavitation activity in the fabric. The generated cavitation activity representative signal is processed to indicate moisture content of the fabric. A feature of the invention is a feedback control signal is generated responsive to the generated cavitation activity representative signal. The feedback control signal can be used to control the energy level of the generated acoustic waves and to control the application of a cleaning solution to the fabric.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• Patent Number(s): US 5676015
• OSTI ID: 871177
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

cavitation
controlled
acoustic
probe
fabric
spot
cleaning
moisture
monitoring
method
apparatus
provided
generates
waves
relative
sensor
accelerometer
coupled
generating
signal
representative
activity
generated
processed
indicate
content
feature
feedback
control
responsive
energy
level
application
solution
moisture content
signal representative
energy level
acoustic wave
control signal
feedback control
acoustic waves
acoustic probe
cleaning solution
waves relative
generates acoustic
acoustic sensor
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