Patents by Inventor Kang H. Ahn

Kang H. Ahn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for surface and fluid cleaning
    Patent number: 4962776
    Abstract: A cleaning system of the apparatus utilizing the effect of surface tension forces (4) and phase changes between a liquid and gas. In one embodiment the surface (21) to be cleaned is submerged within a vessel (30), the pressure within the vessel being increased. A rapid depressurization of the vessel causes a plurality of bubbles (12) to form around undesired particulate matter (13) on the surface (14) of the article to be cleaned, the bubbles rising to the surface of the liquid (27) within the chamber, thereby cleaning the article. A second embodiment utilizes a cleaning fluid (52) which is applied to the surface of the article (49) to be cleaned. The fluid being subsequently frozen on the surface, thereby reducing the adhesion force between the surface of the article and undesired particulate matter. The surface of the article (49) is subsequently heated, and the undesired particulate matter is removed through the medium of the cleaning fluid (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Kang H. Ahn
  • System for surface and fluid cleaning
    Patent number: 4817652
    Abstract: A cleaning system of the apparatus utilizing the effect of surface tension forces (4) and phase changes between a liquid and gas. In one embodiment the surface (21) to be cleaned is submerged within a vessel (30), the pressure within the vessel being increased. A rapid depressurization of the vessel causes a plurality of bubbles (12) to form around undesired particulate matter (13) on the surface (14) of the article to be cleaned, the bubbles rising to the surface of the liquid (27) within the chamber, thereby cleaning the article. A second embodiment utilizes a cleaning fluid (52) which is applied to the surface of the article (49) to be cleaned. The fluid being subsequently frozen on the surface, thereby reducing the adhesion force between the surface of the article and undesired particulate matter. The surface of the article (49) is subsequently heated, and the undesired particulate matter is removed through the medium of the cleaning fluid (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Kang H. Ahn