Patents Assigned to Impulse Devices, Inc.
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Patent number: 7461965Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Richard D. Satterwhite
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Patent number: 7461966Abstract: A method of operating a cavitation system in which the cavitation chamber is separated into at least three distinct chamber volumes by, for example, first fabricating and then installing a pair of gas-tight and liquid-tight seals into the cavitation chamber, is provided. Each chamber volume seal is fabricated from a rigid reflector and a flexible member. During chamber operation, only one of the three volumes contains cavitation fluid, the other two chamber volumes remaining devoid of cavitation fluid. By controlling the pressure within the two unfilled chamber volumes, the rigid reflectors can be used as a means of increasing the static pressure within the fluid-filled chamber volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Richard D. Satterwhite
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Patent number: 7448792Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is partially withdrawn and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. Once the chamber is isolated, the hydraulic piston is further withdrawn in order to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7448790Abstract: A method and apparatus of circulating cavitation fluid within a cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The system provides a means of circulating the cavitation fluid through a cavitation chamber, before or during cavitation chamber operation, as well as a means of draining and filling the chamber with minimal, if any, exposure of the cavitation fluid to the outside environment. The apparatus includes a network of conduits coupling the cavitation chamber to a cavitation fluid reservoir and at least one external fluid pump. Preferably the cavitation fluid reservoir serves the dual function of fluid reservoir and degassing chamber. Manipulation of various valves within the conduit network allows the cavitation fluid to either be pumped from the reservoir into the cavitation chamber or from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan, David G. Beck
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Patent number: 7448791Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined pressure is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7425092Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7425791Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface, is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped so that only a ring of contact is made between the outer perimeter of the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached. The area of the contact ring is controlled by shaping its surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, David G. Beck
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Patent number: 7425792Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped to limit the contact area between the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached, the contact area being limited to a centrally located contact region. The area of contact is controlled by limiting its size and/or shaping its surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, David G. Beck
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Patent number: 7425091Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined pressure is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Publication number: 20080212398Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2005Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7406765Abstract: A method of assembling a port assembly in a cavitation chamber, typically a spherical chamber, is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of boring a port in a cavitation chamber wall, positioning a cone-shaped member within a corresponding cone-shaped surface of a mounting ring, positioning the mounting ring within the port, and locking the mounting ring within the port with a retaining ring. The largest diameter of the cone-shaped member corresponds to the cavitation chamber internal surface. The member can be a window, gas feed-thru, liquid feed-thru, mechanical feed-thru, sensor, sensor coupler, transducer coupler or plug. The member can be secured within the mounting ring with an adhesive. The retaining ring can be coupled to the cavitation chamber external surface with one or more bolts. The port in the cavitation chamber is preferably cone-shaped with the largest diameter of the port corresponding to the cavitation chamber external surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, David G. Beck
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Patent number: 7404666Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The method uses a cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulically actuated piston, to form the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implode the cavities during piston extension. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber. In-line valves on the chamber inlets allow the chamber to be isolated, when desired, from the circulatory system.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7387660Abstract: A method of degassing cavitation fluid using a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The procedure is comprised of multiple stages. During the first stage, the cavitation fluid contained within the reservoir is degassed using an attached vacuum system. During the second stage, the cavitation fluid is pumped into the cavitation chamber and cavitated. As a result of the cavitation process, gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid are released. The circulatory system provides a means of pumping the gases from the chamber and the vacuum system provides a means of periodically eliminating the gases from the system. A third stage, although not required, can be used to further eliminate gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid. During the third stage cavities are formed within the cavitation fluid within the chamber using any of a variety of means such as neutron bombardment, laser vaporization or localized heating.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.,Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan
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Publication number: 20080137473Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The method uses a cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulically actuated piston, to form the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implode the cavities during piston extension. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber. In-line valves on the chamber inlets allow the chamber to be isolated, when desired, from the circulatory system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2005Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7380975Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7380974Abstract: A method for forming and imploding stabilized cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. A hydraulically actuated piston is withdrawn to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities, the impeller being located within the cavitation chamber and magnetically coupled to an external drive system.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
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Patent number: 7381241Abstract: A method of degassing cavitation fluid using a closed-loop cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The procedure is comprised of multiple stages. During the first stage, the cavitation fluid is continuously circulated through the cavitation chamber, reservoir and the circulatory system while the fluid within the chamber is cavitated. A vacuum system coupled to the fluid reservoir periodically degasses the fluid. During the second stage, pumping of the cavitation fluid through the chamber is discontinued. Gases released by the cavitation process are periodically pumped out of the chamber and periodically eliminated by the vacuum system. A third stage, although not required, can be used to further eliminate gases dissolved within the cavitation fluid. During the third stage cavities are formed within the cavitation fluid within the chamber using any of a variety of means such as neutron bombardment, laser vaporization or localized heating.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, Dario Felipe Gaitan
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Patent number: 7363708Abstract: A method of assembling multiple port assemblies in a cavitation chamber is provided. The method is comprised of boring at least two ports of different sizes in a cavitation chamber wall of the cavitation chamber. The external port diameter of the smaller port is smaller than that port's internal port diameter. A member selected from the group consisting of windows, plugs, feed-throughs, sensors, transducers and couplers is inserted into the chamber through the larger port and positioned within the smaller port. The member can be secured within the smaller port with an adhesive. A mounting ring/retaining ring, retaining coupler or port cover seals the second, larger port. A second member selected from the group consisting of windows, plugs, feed-throughs, sensors, transducers and couplers can be positioned within a cone-shaped port within the mounting ring or retaining coupler. A feed-thru, sensor, transducer or coupler can be integrated into the port cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ross Alan Tessien, David G. Beck
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Publication number: 20070253285Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a temperature difference between two regions within a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation chamber is partially filled with cavitation fluid, thereby forming a cavitation fluid free surface which divides the chamber into a first region located above the cavitation fluid free surface and a second region located below the cavitation fluid free surface. The region above the cavitation fluid free surface is heated in order to form the desired temperature difference, heat being provided by a resistive heater or other means. In addition to heating the region above the cavitation fluid free surface, the region below the cavitation fluid free surface can be cooled, for example utilizing a refrigerated container, refrigeration coils, a thermoelectric cooler, or other means. A temperature monitor can be thermally coupled to the first region, the second region, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Tessien
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Publication number: 20070248471Abstract: A system and method for degassing a cavitation fluid is provided. The cavitation system of the invention includes a cavitation chamber with one or more cavitation drivers and a degassing system coupled to the chamber. One or more heaters, such as resistive heaters, are coupled to an external surface of the cavitation chamber such that heat from the heaters is transmitted through the wall of the cavitation chamber and into localized regions of the cavitation fluid contained within the cavitation chamber. The heater or heaters increase the temperature of the localized regions of the cavitation fluid to a temperature above the boiling temperature of the cavitation fluid, thereby creating vapor bubbles which capture gas trapped within the cavitation fluid through a rectified diffusion process. A cavitation fluid cooler can be used to insure that the average temperature of the cavitation fluid is below that of the boiling temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2005Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: Impulse Devices, Inc.Inventor: Ross Tessien