With Movable Means To Cause Fluid Motion (e.g., Pump, Splasher, Agitator) Patents (Class 134/184)
  • Publication number: 20110030724
    Abstract: A portable multifunction pressure washer including a diverter valve with first and second outlets, and an inlet which is fluidly connected to a fluid pump to receive pressurized fluid. A first cleaning element is connected to the housing and is fluidly connected to the first outlet and a second cleaning element is fluidly connected to the second outlet. A control element is movable between at least two positions in order to selectively direct pressurized fluid through to the first cleaning element or to the second cleaning element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Gus Alexander
  • Publication number: 20110017241
    Abstract: A washing machine and/or a fluid flow structure for a washing machine wash tank is provided. The wash tank is generally rectangular and includes a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall. The wash tank further includes at least one flow directional opening in at least one of the walls. In a preferred embodiment, the wash tank includes a plurality of flow directional openings positioned along one of the side walls of the wash tank. A fluid flow structure is located within said wash tank, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for said guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. In a preferred embodiment, the contour of the guide surface is generally curved. The contour of the guide surface aids in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: METCRAFT, INC.
    Inventors: John W. CANTRELL, Mark CHURCHILL, David Robert GAST, Michael P. LICATA, Joshua H. HUISENGA, John MCCREIGHT, Bryon J. London
  • Patent number: 7871473
    Abstract: A method and device for maintaining air boost system performance is provided. One or more stages of the air boost system can be connected by tubing to a cleaning system that includes a fluid reservoir (135, 235) containing cleaning fluid and a means of conveying the cleaning fluid into at least one stage of the air boost system. The air boost system can also include a means for detecting (150, 250) at least one fouling parameter of said air boost system. Mien the fouling parameter meets a pre-determined condition, a control means (155, 255) can trigger the cleaning means and inject cleaning fluid into the stage or stages to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Lebold, Steve Roby
  • Publication number: 20110000503
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning electronic packages comprises a tank containing cleaning fluid and a holder above the tank that supports the electronic packages above a top surface of the cleaning fluid with the electronic packages facing the cleaning fluid. Acoustic energy generators are immersed in the cleaning fluid for generating and propagating acoustic energy towards the top surface of the cleaning fluid to create streaming fluid jets projecting upwardly at the top surface to contact and clean the electronic packages supported on the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Hon Keung LAI, Hoi Shuen TANG, Wang Lung TSE
  • Patent number: 7861732
    Abstract: What is contemplated is a printing cylinder washer having a removable or portable drive assembly, or a series of portable drive assemblies of different lengths to accommodate different sizes of print rollers. The drive assemblies have a drive mechanism enabled by a dynamic flow of cleaning solution within the washer reservoir. What is also contemplated is the use of an elevation system, an agitation platform, under-immersion spray bars, an ultrasonic wave cleaning system, and a hatch or door equipped with a thermal breaker in conjunction with the hydro-driven portable drive assembly. What is also contemplated is a method of washing printing rollers within the above-described printing cylinder washer by aligning a nozzle with the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudy Publ
  • Publication number: 20100326464
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for processing flat articles with acoustical energy. The inventive system, apparatus and method can remove particles from both sides of a wafer more efficiently and effectively. In one aspect, the invention is a system and/or method for processing flat articles wherein a liquid is applied to both major surfaces of the flat article. A first transducer assembly is positioned adjacent to a first of the major surfaces of the flat article and a second member is positioned adjacent to a second of the major surfaces. The first transducer assembly generates and transmits acoustical energy to the first major surface of the flat article while the second member either: (1) reflects the acoustical energy generated by the first transducer assembly back to the second major surface of the flat article; and/or (2) generates and transmits acoustical energy to the second major surface of the flat article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Pejman Fani, Mark Rouillard, John Korbler, James Brown, Chad Hosack
  • Patent number: 7857908
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher has a wash motor for pumping wash liquid, upper and lower spray arm for spraying the wash liquid pumped by the wash motor, and a control unit. The control unit operates the wash motor to perform a lower wash cycle by the lower spray arm and an upper wash cycle by the upper spray arm. The control unit operates the wash motor at a preset first rpm and operates the wash motor at a second rpm for a predetermined duration during the upper wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jhe Hyouk Lee
  • Publication number: 20100319725
    Abstract: Inventive methods, systems and compositions for sanitizing food products are described. A method for sanitizing food products includes: (a) activating a solution, which includes a solute and a solvent, by using acoustic energy to form a coherent solution including solute clusters, in which each solute cluster is organized such that at least one solute molecule is surrounded by many solvent molecules; and (b) submerging the food products into a tank containing the coherent solution to sanitize the food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: NANO OM TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Suraj Puri, George Plaut, Saurabh Sharma
  • Publication number: 20100313907
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning a substrate (e.g., wafer) in the fabrication of semiconductor devices utilizing a composition of magnetic particles dispersed within a base fluid to remove contaminants from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Steve Kramer, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20100313920
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning device includes a drain connecting member adapted to be engaged with a drain hole of a sink, and having a valve seat, a valve member having a valve portion angularly movable relative to the valve seat between an opened position to be disengaged from the valve seat to thereby allow for liquid communication between a reservoir of the sink and the drain hole, and a closed position to be engaged with the valve seat for interrupt the liquid communication, and an ultrasonic generating unit disposed in the valve member for exerting ultrasonic vibration on liquid within the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Wender Yang
  • Patent number: 7850824
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for cleaning papermaking felt by applying a low concentration of a cleaning solution through the oscillating needle nozzles. The detergent is applied intermittently while paper is being manufactured. Each cleaning period lasts for at least the length of time required for the nozzles to cover the entire surface of the felt, and preferably twice that period of time. The application of cleaning solution is then discontinued for a period of time. This cycle is repeated continuously as the paper is being manufactured. The apparatus includes a first cleaning chemical reservoir, a second cleaning chemical reservoir, a high pressure pump coupled to the first and second reservoirs, and a control unit having programming for selectively injecting the chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Dubois Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Baker, David Kelso
  • Patent number: 7845362
    Abstract: A washer fluid system provides washer fluid by blending concentrated washer fluid with waste water produced in the operation of a fuel cell. The concentrated washer fluid is stored in a replenishable container. A mixing pump automatically meters the appropriate ratio of concentrated washer fluid to water (i.e., 1:10), preferably by a dual chamber arrangement, wherein the waste water from the fuel cell and the concentrated washer fluid are drawn from their respective sources and mixed, creating a mixed washer fluid having the proper ratio of water to washer fluid concentrate. In a first embodiment, the system creates the mixed washer fluid in real-time on demand of the wiper system; in a second embodiment a storage reservoir holds mixed washer fluid for stand-by use of the wiper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Morris, Kevin G. Kolpasky
  • Publication number: 20100300501
    Abstract: A dish washer comprises a washing tub having a sump, at least one spraying nozzle located within the washing tub, means for feeding fresh water into the sump, a circulation pump for circulating process water from the sump to the spraying nozzle and a conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of the fresh and/or the process water. In order to enable use of a single conductivity sensor for measuring the conductivity of both the fresh and the process water, the conductivity sensor is located in a conduit for feeding fresh water into the sump and there further is provided a bypass line which is arranged to cause process water to flow through the conductivity sensor when the circulation pump is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jiri Bohac, Rolf Stahlmann, Hansjörg Lampe
  • Publication number: 20100294305
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus having at least a cleaning an ultrasonic wave transmitting tank a vibrating plate placed at a bottom portion of the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank, the vibrating plate superposing the ultrasonic waves on the transmitting water with a transducer; and a holding jig for holding the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank, the apparatus in which the object to be cleaned is ultrasonically cleaned by immersing the object to be cleaned held with the holding jig in the cleaning liquid accommodated in the cleaning tank, putting the cleaning tank into the transmitting water accommodated in the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank, and transmitting the ultrasonic waves superposed with the vibrating plate to the cleaning tank through the transmitting water, the apparatus comprising a transmitting tank oscillating mechanism for oscillating the ultrasonic wave transmitting tank in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tatsuo Abe, Hitoshi Kabasawa, Izumi Arai
  • Patent number: 7836901
    Abstract: An apparatus for wet processing individual wafers comprising; a means for holding the wafer; a means for providing acoustic energy to a non-device side of the wafer; and a means for flowing a fluid onto a device side of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Verhaverbeke, J. Kelly Truman, Alexander Ko, Rick R. Endo
  • Patent number: 7837750
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a diesel particulate filter includes a step of coupling an acoustic generator directly to the diesel particulate filter via a support fixture. Ash deposited within the diesel particulate filter is dislodged with acoustic energy deposited by the acoustic generator. The ash may fall clear of the diesel particulate filter under the action of gravity and/or via pressurized air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jade Katinas, Dong Fei, Jamie Frisch, Jeremy Trethewey, Douglas Rebinsky, Nan Yang
  • Publication number: 20100288316
    Abstract: A water-guiding household device, in particular, a dishwasher, equipped with an improved drive shaft which is arranged in the wet running pump. A coating made of a chrome-nitrogen compound is applied to the drive shaft according to a PVD method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Ertle, Bruno Reiter, Franz-Josef Wagner
  • Patent number: 7828901
    Abstract: An apparatus to produce acoustic cavitation by controlling cavitation events in a liquid insonification medium utilizing a waveform to excite a transducer with a series of bipolar inharmonic tone bursts having medium recovery intervals between respective bursts so that the medium repeatedly recovers from cavitation events between bursts. The apparatus may be used to clean a semiconductor wafer, to de-coat a painted surface having, to induce a chemical reaction, and/or to provide recycled paper made from inked paper de-inked by cavitation. Cavitation events are generated using a transducer and a waveform generator, e.g., square wave tone bursts, to excite the transducer with a signal controlled in frequency, burst repetition rate, duty-cycle and/or amplitude, e.g., utilizing bursts having a frequency between 500 KHz and 10 MHz, and a duty cycle between 0.1% and 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Sameer I. Madanshetty
  • Publication number: 20100275956
    Abstract: A cleaning system which includes an enclosure and having a door with a transparent window. The door is opened and closed to load and unload products to be cleaned. An operator puck on the outside of the enclosure couples magnetically to another actuator puck on the inside of the enclosure. This coupling allows an operator to move and direct the inside puck to actuate spray or air blast functions, without opening the enclosure. The outside operator puck includes one or more switches which turn on the various electronic components such as the liquid pump, light, or air blast valve. The cleaning system enables a user to efficiently direct cleaning action to parts inside to minimize the cleaning time, and to prevent exposure of chemicals. The cleaning fluid is cycled out of the enclosure continuously, and into a “trap” box, through a pump and back into the cleaner box in a closed loop cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: TRANSITION AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Curtin
  • Patent number: 7823595
    Abstract: An apparatus for etching a substrate includes (a) a nozzle system including at least one nozzle through which acid solution containing at least hydrofluoric acid is sprayed onto the substrate, (b) a mover which moves at least one of the nozzle system and the substrate relative to the other in a predetermined direction in such a condition that the substrate and the nozzle system face each other, (c) a filter system which filters off particles out of the acid solution having been sprayed onto the substrate, and (d) a circulation system which circulates the acid solution having been sprayed onto the substrate, to the filter system, and further, to the nozzle system from the filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushige Takechi
  • Patent number: 7815745
    Abstract: A heater-mounting structure of a dish washer includes a sump housing for storing a washing water inside, and a heater disposed inside the sump housing. A heating portion of a heater is disposed inside the sump housing and bent at least one times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Bae Lim
  • Patent number: 7814918
    Abstract: In a method of cleaning an ejection face by supplying a head liquid on a surface (ejection face) of an inkjet head provided with ink ejection outlets, and then by performing wiping operations thereon, an ink residue on the ejection face is efficiently and surely removed from the ejection face to achieve a sufficient cleaning thereon. For this purpose, a first wiping operation is first performed such that a wiper (9A) is relatively largely bent, and slidingly contacts the ejection face at an abdomen thereof to efficiently perform the application, stirring and mixing of the head liquid. Then, a second wiping operation is performed such that an edge portion of the top end of a wiper (9B) slidingly contacts the surface to efficiently scrape the mixture of the head liquid and the ink residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Souichi Nagai, Mikio Sanada, Nobuyuki Matsumoto, Noribumi Koitabashi
  • Patent number: 7806128
    Abstract: An automatic steam car washing system is provided. The automatic steam car washing system according to current application is comprised of a moving station and 10 metal beams that comprise a frame. Car to be washed stays inside of the frame. Pluralities of steam spraying nozzles, a vacuum nozzle, and a towel are installed in a moving station and moves along the surface of the car. Pluralities of steam generators are installed inside of the moving station and connected to the steam spraying nozzles. Tip of the steam spraying nozzle oscillates horizontally with an angle to the surface of the car. The distance between the spraying nozzle and the surface of the car is maintained constant irrespective of the surface geometry. The automatic steam car washing system according to current application realize a no water spill automatic car washing system and protects the air by collecting the dusts that comes out from the contaminated car surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Yong Chu Kim Brillouet, Pierrick Brillouet
  • Publication number: 20100242996
    Abstract: An aircraft component with an aerodynamic surface coating comprising a resilient foam with an array of open cells infused with a cleaning material such as a gel, paste or liquid. This prevents contaminants such as insects from adhering to the aircraft component. The resilient foam stores at least part of the impact energy of the contaminant, the cleaning material is released from the deformed foam so that the cleaning material at least partially coats the contaminant, and the foam springs back to eject the coated contaminant from the aircraft component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Colin John West, David Alistair Sutton, Jeremy Peter Bradley
  • Publication number: 20100243003
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate cleaning apparatus which cleans a semiconductor substrate with a chemical solution, includes a water concentration detecting device which detects water concentration of the chemical solution, an ultrasonic transducer which applies ultrasonic waves to the chemical solution or the semiconductor substrate to execute ultrasonic cleaning, and a control device which turns on and off the ultrasonic transducer based or changes a cleaning condition for the ultrasonic cleaning based on the water concentration detected by the water concentration detecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20100236588
    Abstract: A water-bearing domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, at least having a water diverter which has a fluid distributor body which has at least two passage openings. The invention is characterized in that the passage openings are accommodated in an adjustable manner in an accommodation container which is arranged between a washing liquor outlet region and a washing liquor discharge region of the pump pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Büsing, Anton Oblinger, Pedro Sancho, David Semerad, Martin Stickel
  • Patent number: 7798158
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning system for removing coatings from a hard surface by high pressure liquid. The system employs a combination liquid and vacuum reservoir connected to a high pressure pump for directing ultra high pressure water through a blast head mounted on a front portion of the vehicle. The cleaning system is preferably mounted on a single truck with a single prime mover. The drive-line of the vehicle is constructed and arranged to operate in two distinct modes, e.g. a transport mode and a work mode. In the transport mode, a first transmission coupled to the rear portion of the prime mover delivers torque from the engine to the rear wheels of the vehicle. In the work mode, the prime mover is utilized to mechanically drive the bed mounted equipment as well as provide motive force in the form of mechanical-hydrostatic transmission to propel the system at a speed suitable for marking removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: James P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 7798159
    Abstract: An at-home integrated cleaning and disinfection system for dental hardware, for consumer use includes a compact and portable base unit sized for at-home use by a consumer, the base unit including a holding frame and an ultraviolet lamp. The system also includes a cleaning chamber within which dental hardware and a cleaning solution that includes hydrogen peroxide are receivable. The cleaning chamber fits within the holding frame in a manner such that contents of the cleaning chamber are exposed to light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp. A vibration mechanism is positioned so as to cause the cleaning chamber to vibrate while the cleaning chamber is fitted within the holding frame. To clean and disinfect dental hardware, the consumer places dental hardware in the cleaning chamber, fills the cleaning chamber with the cleaning solution, and inserts the cleaning chamber into the holding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventors: Valerie Palfy, Don A. Skomsky
  • Publication number: 20100224220
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of washing (or pre-washing) silverware/flatware, or one or more other objects/parts is provided. The apparatus and method utilizes a fluid-push/pull system and method in which generally an entire volume of fluid is pushed or pulled through a cavity in which the silverware/flatware or other objects/parts are located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: JOHN CANTRELL, MARK CHURCHILL, MIKE LICATA, DAVID GAST
  • Publication number: 20100224214
    Abstract: The frequency and power of ultrasonic waves is adjusted to materialize the relation 0.04f?20.0?P?0.09f?7.5, wherein f (kHz) is the frequency of the ultrasonic waves and P (W/L) is the power per unit fluid volume obtained by dividing the power (W) of the ultrasonic waves by the volume (L) of a cleaning fluid. The discharge condition of the cleaning fluid by a pump is adjusted such that the proportion (C5) of the brightness of the fluid when 5 seconds has passed since the state wherein both an ultrasonic wave irradiation means and a bubble supply means are concurrently operating to the brightness of the fluid when no bubbles exist in the fluid is 0.75 or less. The coalition and crush of bubbles due to the irradiation of ultrasonic waves are suppressed, and the both actions can be utilized for a long period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihisa KANEKO, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Minoru Imaeda
  • Publication number: 20100212704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washer (1) comprising a dosing unit (4). In the said washer (1), the current supplied to the agitator motor (8) actuating the agitator (6) disposed inside the receptacle (5) of the dosing unit (4), preferably at the base embedded in the cleaning agent, is monitored, in order to determine a fill level of the dosing unit (4) by comparing the supplied current to stored current levels for known fill levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Ugur Kan, Ufuk Askin
  • Patent number: 7771567
    Abstract: The salt water distillation system includes a sprinkler to form a mist of salt water over a distillation plate. The distillation plate is heated by applying electrical current to a heating coil. The steam is transferred to a condensation chamber and condensed fresh water is collected. During the desalination process, salt impurities are deposited on the hot distillation plate. A sludge remover, i.e., a steam head and movable ram, is provided to clean the distillation plate of the salt impurities. An exhaust fan is provided to cool fresh water condensate and lower air pressure in the system. Heat transferred from the steam during condensation is used to pre-heat the salt water to increase efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Rives, James O. Riley
  • Patent number: 7771543
    Abstract: A leakage preventing structure of a dishwasher is provided. The structure includes a wash motor with a motor shaft disposed at its center, a sump housing that the motor shaft passes through, and a sealing portion that seals the space between the wash motor and the sump housing. The sealing portion is an aircap that controls the water level of washing water introduced into the aircap by means of air pressure of air inside the aircap, or a sealing member coupled to the motor shaft of the wash motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Chul Bang
  • Publication number: 20100180920
    Abstract: In a agent supply device, a agent supplying unit is driven to supply a treatment agent to a head portion provided on a hair processing device after a cleaning unit cleans the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Fujimoto, Takeshi Shiba, Juzaemon Iwasaki, Masaaki Sato, Masanobu Yamasaki, Shunsuke Komori
  • Patent number: 7757701
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning device (50) comprises: an ultrasonic oscillation plate (2) having a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators (1); an ultrasonic wave guide chamber (3) for collecting an ultrasonic wave force generated by the ultrasonic oscillation plate; and a cleaning tank (4) in which a cleaning solution (20) is stored, wherein an object (5) to be cleaned is cleaned when it is dipped in the cleaning tank. Since an upper portion of the ultrasonic wave guide chamber is airtightly closed with the upper face (31) and formed into a bowl shape, an air layer (10) is formed between a liquid level of the cleaning solution in the ultrasonic wave guide chamber and the upper face (31). The cleaning tank is joined to the ultrasonic wave guide chamber, and an ultrasonic oscillation plate is arranged so that it can be opposed to the ultrasonic wave guide chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Sadamu Shiotsuki, Koichi Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20100175727
    Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes a remaining water discharging passage to drain remaining water from a pump case by connecting a drain line with an inner part of the pump case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hwan Chung, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 7754026
    Abstract: A household dishwasher having a sonic cleaner that propagates sonic waves via a stream of liquid to clean off a utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis L. Kehl
  • Publication number: 20100170529
    Abstract: An acoustic cleaning device and method for cleaning of the surfaces within a vessel is provided. The device may consist of one acoustic transducer or a series of smaller acoustic transducers mounted inside the vessel in a specific fashion in order to direct acoustic waves throughout the cleaning liquid and onto the interior surfaces of the vessel. An acoustic cavitation is produced by the pressure variations in sound waves moving through the cleaning liquid and a cleaning action is accomplished throughout the entire vessel interior. The acoustic cleaning device may be arranged in a variety of ways to accomplish the cleaning. The acoustic cleaning device may be used with a variety of chemical cleaning solutions and is ideal for particle surface contaminant removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Stencel, Rickey White
  • Patent number: 7748393
    Abstract: A produce cleaning machine provides baskets for holding large and small produce items and water sprayers for directing water jets onto the produce from above and below. One basket is motorized to rotate to more evenly clean the produce, while a further basket can be rolled in and out of the machine to make loading and unloading easier. The force of the spray is adjustable and the rotational speed of the motor is as well to provide for special handling of the produce. Rotation after cleaning is used to help dry the produce, and ultraviolet emission is used to sanitize the produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Helen DiPanni
  • Patent number: 7748395
    Abstract: An object is to improve the cleanness achieved by washing through effectively suppressing the residual of solvent remained on a wash-target after washing. The present invention is a wash-target holder soaked in a wash tank by holding a wash-target, which comprises a tray for placing the wash-target, a surrounding member, which is provided standing up on a wash-target placing face of the tray, for surrounding the periphery, and a defluxion-restricting member for restricting the defluxion of the wash-target from the tray. In the periphery of the wash-target surrounded by the surrounding member, an opening for letting in and out the solvent used for washing the wash-target is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Satoyoshi, Morihiro Ohno, Osamu Fukuroi
  • Publication number: 20100163084
    Abstract: A micro-bubble generating device is provided with a micro-bubble generating mechanism and a leading conduit provided with a widening section and a tube part, the widening section and the tube part in communication with each other in the leading conduit. The widening section has a hollow shape which has an axis Z as a central axis, and has base surfaces and a peripheral surface, and communicates with a nozzle of the micro-bubble-generating mechanism via one base surface of the widening section, and communicates with the tube part via the other base surface. The cross section orthogonal to a flow axis Z of the micro-bubbles of the widening section is larger than the cross section orthogonal to the flow axis Z of the tube part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SILTRONIC AG
    Inventor: Teruo Haibara
  • Publication number: 20100163083
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning device is provided which can easily cope with an increase in a diameter of a cleaning surface of an object to be cleaned. An ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer 13 for providing ultrasonic energy to a propagation liquid 15, an ultrasonic propagation tube 12 for flowing the propagation liquid provided with the ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic transducer, a holding mechanism disposed below the ultrasonic propagation tube for holding an object to be cleaned 21, and a cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to a cleaning surface of the object to be cleaned held by the holding mechanism, and the ultrasonic propagation tube 12 is disposed so that a side surface thereof may contact a liquid film 19 of the cleaning liquid formed on the cleaning surface by supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning surface by the cleaning liquid supply mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kazunari Suzuki, Ki Han
  • Patent number: 7744016
    Abstract: A rod horn of an ultrasonic transmitting medium includes an expanded portion in one end and an inclined plane as a face irradiating ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic vibrator or vibrators is attached to the expanded portion, the inclined plane of the rod horn is provided by holding a slight gap opposite to a washing body, washing liquid is flowed into the gap in the side of the inclined plane and the washing body is washed by the ultrasonic wave and the washing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Honda, Yuichi Asayama, Yuichi Maita, Tomomi Hikita, Yoshikazu Muramatsu, Ryoji Kondo, Haruo Yamamori, Naoyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7740021
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits are described, one method embodiment comprising loading a solids-laden screen into a carriage of a washing enclosure, the solids-laden screen comprising a screen mesh partially obstructed with solids from a well drilling or work-over operation, and spraying a cleaning composition onto first and second sides of the screen while vibrating the screen. Apparatus and kits for practicing the methods are also described. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: RNG Oilfield Sales & Service, LLC
    Inventor: Jack D. Baker
  • Publication number: 20100147336
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a respective apparatus for ultrasonic wet treatment of a plate-like article, which comprises: bringing a solid element, which is connected to a transducer in close proximity to a surface of a plate-like article so that a gap is formed between the solid element and the plate-like article, the gap having a distance d2 between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, dispensing liquid for filling the gap between the solid element and the plate-like article, and detecting ultrasonic waves and/or controlling the distance d2, by measuring the distance d2, comparing the measured distance with a desired distance d0 and adjusting the distance accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: SEZ AG
    Inventors: Rainer Obweger, Alexander Lippert, Harry Sax
  • Publication number: 20100139710
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface of wafer or substrate includes a plate being positioned with a gap to surface of the wafer or substrate, and the plate being rotated around an axis vertical to surface of wafer or substrate. The rotating plate surface facing surface of the wafer or substrate has grooves, regular patterns, and irregular patterns to enhance the cleaning efficiency. Another embodiment further includes an ultra sonic or mega sonic transducer vibrating the rotating plate during cleaning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Hui Wang, Jian Wang, Yue Ma, Chuan He
  • Patent number: 7726325
    Abstract: A deaeration device for bubbling dissolved air in the cleaning liquid by cavitation is connected on a cleaning-liquid circulation path so as to bubble the dissolved air in the cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning-liquid circulation path by the deaeration device, and the bubbled dissolved air flows back to the cleaning tank together with the cleaning liquid so that the bubbled dissolved air is ejected from the liquid surface of the cleaning tank to the outside of the tank. Moreover, a propeller-type pump is used as the circulating pump, and the dissolved air concentration of the cleaning liquid is controlled within a range of 2.5 to 3.5 mg/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kaijo Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Saiki, Masaru Hase, Katsuhiro Koyama, Katsutada Sakazaki
  • Patent number: 7718011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning, rinsing and Marangoni drying substrates is provided. The invention includes spraying a line of fluid to a substrate, thereby creating an air/fluid interface line on the substrate; supplying a line of drying vapors to the air/fluid interface line, thereby creating a Marangoni drying effect along the air/fluid interface line; and moving the substrate relative to the air/fluid line. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Fishkin, Michael Sherrard
  • Publication number: 20100108110
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dish washing machine including a sump unit capable of supplying, to an injection nozzle, wash water flowing in accordance with operation of an impeller, without using a separate channel member. The dish washing machine includes a body provided with a washing tub, a sump unit arranged in the washing tub, and at least one injection nozzle to inject wash water into the washing tub. The sump unit includes a sump housing, an impeller arranged in the sump housing, to pump wash water from the sump housing, and a guide member, to which the sump housing is mounted. The guide member guides the wash water pumped by the impeller directly to the injection nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Chan Ryu, Sung Jin Kim, Jeon Suk Wee, Young Ho Kwon
  • Publication number: 20100108111
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus having a high cleaning efficiency by restraining lowering of the sound pressure applied to the object to be cleaned per unit time while securing the uniformization of the sound pressure in the entire area in the cleaning tank. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for cleaning an object to be cleaned by ultrasonic vibrations including: ultrasonic vibration generating means configured to generate a frequency modulated signal and generate the ultrasonic vibrations; and a cleaning tank configured to store cleaning liquid in which the object to be cleaned is to be immersed in the interior thereof and clean the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the ultrasonic vibration generating means, characterized in that the signal includes at least two frequency modulated portions having modulation widths different from each other with a single frequency as a center frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Tomoharu Kamamura, Yasuhiro Imazeki