Cleaning Or Foaming Ability Patents (Class 73/60.11)
  • Patent number: 11679174
    Abstract: A cleaning indicator is disclosed for determining the effectiveness of a washing and disinfecting process related to the healthcare, medical device and pharmaceutical fields. The cleaning indicator includes a base, a soil coupon and a cover. The base has a recessed area for receiving the soil coupon and the cover is attached to the base by clip members. The cover has a transparent window for viewing the soil coupon which transparent window optionally may have a small hole therein. The base includes grip members for attaching the cleaning indicator to a tray in a washer-disinfector. The cleaning indicator is placed in the washer-disinfector for medical instruments or the like for determining the efficacy of the wash cycle of the washer-disinfector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Mesa Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Toni Seis, Charlie McLaughlin, Pete Jung, Sven Kasemann
  • Patent number: 10857486
    Abstract: Provided is a device which is capable of ongoing measurement of variable foaming tendencies in a fluid system and provide a signal to regulate the feed rate of defoamer accordingly to maintain foaming at an acceptable target level. The regulation of feed can be accomplished automatically or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J Kisty
  • Patent number: 10570715
    Abstract: A method of enhanced oil recovery from an unconventional resource reservoir comprises injecting an enhanced recovery fluid into the unconventional resource reservoir via an injection well and producing hydrocarbons from the unconventional resource reservoir via the injection well or a production well offset from the injection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John A. Babcock, Charles P. Siess, III, Kevin G. Watts, Roberta Watts
  • Patent number: 10241103
    Abstract: A foam testing apparatus with a closed loop air circulation along a sample cylinder which maintains a lubrication oil sample at a desired temperature during a test procedure. The apparatus may include a digital camera adjacent to the sample cylinder for observation and recording of foam characteristics during the test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ayalytical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan J. Ayala, Darren Bolgioni, Nikola Skulic
  • Patent number: 9205464
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for mechanical cleaning of an active surface (4,17-20) of an instrument (5) in touch with liquid. The active surface of the instrument is exposed to cleaning media (11), which consists of separate, moving particles, enclosed into an instrument container. The motion of the cleaning media is rotational and achieved and maintained by directing an influx (9) parallel to the direction of motion (8) of the cleaning media. The influx may contain gas, liquid or mixture of gas and liquid. The cleaning media wipes clean the at least one active instrument surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OY, CLEWER
    Inventors: Juho Roine, Gennadi Zaitsev
  • Patent number: 8839661
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a foaminess characterization method for characterizing liquid foams and defoamers and a foam generation method for generating the liquid foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca S. Ortiz, Jeff R. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130298646
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a cavitation sensor for detecting bubbles in a liquid is provided. The cavitation sensor may include: a substrate having an insulative surface; and an electrode arrangement provided on or within the insulative surface of the substrate. The electrode arrangement may include a first electrode and a second electrode being isolated from each other by the insulative surface, each of the first and the second electrode including a sensing portion. The spacing between the sensing portion of the first electrode and the sensing portion of the second electrode is adapted to allow charge flow between the first electrode and the second electrode caused by cavitation occurring at the sensing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Claus-Dieter Ohl, Silvestre Roberto Gonzalez-Avila
  • Patent number: 8490464
    Abstract: Liquid, say, an oleaginous liquid or an ink, for example, an engine oil, can be tested for aeration, entrainment and/or dissolution of a gas and/or foaming. The liquid can be tested through generation of a foam, for example, through aeration with employment of a vacuum, which can be carried out at a controlled, elevated temperature, for example, about 150° C., and the foam measured as to volume generated; and/or by testing for an entrained/dissolved gas directly, say, by drawing off the entrained/dissolved gas with a high vacuum, which can be done following aeration, for example, at a moderate temperature, for example, about 30° C. The gas can be air. Apparatus for use in such testing can include an outer, selectively sealable tube, which can be transparent, and which can serve as a vessel to contain a sample of a liquid as aforesaid to be tested; and, within the outer tube, a smaller generally vertical, inner tube also extending upward from and optionally out of the sealed outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Theodore W. Selby
  • Patent number: 8490471
    Abstract: A method for evaluating antifoam additives for lubricants. The method includes a step of aging a quantity of fluid containing an antifoam additive in one or more high shear simulator(s) for a period of time to provide an aged fluid. After the aging step, the fluid is evaluated in a foam tendency evaluation test to provide the foaming tendency for the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: Afton Chemical Corporation, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Strait, Chintan N Ved
  • Publication number: 20120096930
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a foaminess characterization method for characterizing liquid foams and defoamers and a foam generation method for generating the liquid foams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Rebecca S. Ortiz, Jeff R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8151634
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device (10) for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid, said device including: an inlet (11) for receiving a portion of said fluid; means (12) for entraining air into said fluid portion; a mixing chamber (13) for receiving said air entrained fluid portion, said mixing chamber (13) being adapted for mixing said fluid portion and said air; and a detector (15) for detecting the amount of froth (18) generated in said mixing chamber (13). The invention also provides a method for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited
    Inventor: Noel William Alexander Lambert
  • Publication number: 20110290007
    Abstract: A fish tank apparatus includes a plurality of fish tanks and water measuring apparatus. The water measuring apparatus includes a measuring member for detecting water parameter, and a switchable sample water diverting member having a plurality of inlets and at least one outlet. A central measurement conduit fluidically connects the outlet of the switchable sample water diverting member with the measuring member. A plurality of peripheral measurement conduits fluidically connect the fish tanks with the inlets of the switchable sample water diverting device, which is configured to selectively feed sample water from each one of the peripheral measurement conduits to the central measurement conduit to test the water in the fish tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Meik Südkamp
  • Patent number: 7926327
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the filterability of fluids, in particular of transmission oils, has a test filter device (21) through which a sample amount of the fluid can flow, and a line system which forms a circulation circuit (1) for the fluid. The line system includes a foam tester (3) receiving the sample amount of the fluid. A circulating pump (23) removes fluid from the sample amount situated in the foam tester (3) and conveys it through the filter device (21) and back to the foam tester (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7770455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, systems, and instruments (10) for monitoring, detecting or measuring one or more acoustic emissions of a foam. The detected emission(s) may then be used to generate a response, such as one to control an associated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Tribo Flow Separations, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Stencel
  • Publication number: 20090217741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for monitoring the operation of a flotation cell. In the method according to the invention, the electrical conductivity of the material (3, 7) in the flotation cell (1) is measured to observe any variations in the movement, the properties and/or the inner structure of the material. The device (10) according to the invention comprises a number of measuring sensors (11, 12, 13, 14) of electrical conductivity, which are to be fitted in the flotation cell (1) and embedded in the material (3, 7) contained in it for measuring its electrical conductivity and, on the basis of the conductivity values, defining the state and/or the properties of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Geologian Tutkimuskeskus GTK
    Inventors: Pekka Parvinen, Jouko Kallioinen, Veikko Eronen
  • Patent number: 7490508
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing a cleaning procedure for a material. The apparatus includes a rack having a seat configured to retain a plurality of test coupons at a predetermined angle, an upper tray that distributes a solution along the lines of the rack, a lower tray for receiving solution passed over coupons disposed on the rack, a meter that gauges a flow rate of the solution, a thermostatic heater adapted to bring the solution to a predetermined temperature, and a variable speed pump that directs the solution from a reservoir to the upper tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Wyeth Research Ireland Limited
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Canhoto, Rod J. Azadan, John Putnam, Michael Kreuze, Brian Williams, Kristen Nobles, Jeff Chapman, Kelli Barrett
  • Patent number: 7249492
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring and/or adjusting the cleaning performance of a cleaning liquid. One method of the invention includes determining a control value (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide a selected volume) indicative of when the cleaning performance of the cleaning liquid is at or approaching an unacceptable level. At least one substrate can be contacted with the cleaning liquid and a drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide the selected volume) again measured. At least one cleaning agent, such as at least one surfactant, can be added to the cleaning liquid when the measured drop number is at or near the control value. In one embodiment, the cleaning agent can be added until the measured drop number is at or near a baseline drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid when cleaning performance is acceptable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Roelofs
  • Patent number: 7240539
    Abstract: A test method is described for comparing the relative affinity of products for a target substance using a substrate ordinarily and visibly sensitive to the products. The test method is useful in one embodiment for comparing the ability of harsh cleansers to remove fatty acids from the skin with mild cleansers that do not remove fatty acids to the same extent using a visually compelling substrate, such as a fresh cut flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Massaro, Douglas Ryan Eli, Thomas Nikolaos Morikis, Christine Elizabeth Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6829922
    Abstract: A test method for foamed cement does not transfer the test composition under pressure from one device to another and the equipment is not handled under dangerous pressure, thereby providing a safe test method. Steps include: rotating a paddle at a first speed in a pressurized foamable cement composition in a receptacle in a high pressure, high temperature chamber such that the foamable cement composition becomes a foamed cement; rotating the paddle at a second speed in the pressurized foamed cement for a selected time period; maintaining the foamed cement static after the selected time period and increasing temperature in the chamber during a foamed cement setting period; thereafter reducing temperature in the chamber and reducing pressure in the chamber; removing the foamed cement in a set condition and the paddle from the chamber; removing the set foamed cement from the paddle; and testing the removed foamed cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Patin, Dennis W. Gray, James H. Cantrell, D. Chad Brenneis, Garland W. Davis, Wendell D. Riley
  • Patent number: 6807849
    Abstract: An apparatus and process to generate a liquid-gas-surfactant foam and to measure its viscosity and enable optical and or electronic measurements of physical properties. The process includes the steps of pumping selected and measured liquids and measured gases into a mixing cell. The mixing cell is pressurized to a desired pressure and maintained at a desired pressure. Liquids and gas are mixed in the mixing cell to produce a foam of desired consistency. The temperature of the foam in the mixing cell is controlled. Foam is delivered from the mixing cell through a viscometer under controlled pressure and temperature conditions where the viscous and physical properties of the foam are measured and observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Troy D. Reed, Mark B. Pickell, Leonard J. Volk
  • Patent number: 6790256
    Abstract: A system for monitoring gas carry-under of a formation fluid exiting a gas separator by measuring a parameter of interest of the formation fluid exiting the gas separator is disclosed. The parameter of interest that can be correlated with the extent of gas entrained in the formation fluid exiting the separator can be the density of the formation fluid, or an absorbance spectrum of the formation fluid. A correlation of the measurement of the parameter of interest with a level of gas carry-under is made and a signal is transmitted to a device to control the supply of at least one additive to control the gas carry-under.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: C. Mitch Means
  • Publication number: 20040055366
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring and/or adjusting the cleaning performance of a cleaning liquid. One method of the invention includes determining a control value (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide a selected volume) indicative of when the cleaning performance of the cleaning liquid is at or approaching an unacceptable level. At least one substrate can be contacted with the cleaning liquid and a drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide the selected volume) again measured. At least one cleaning agent, such as at least one surfactant, can be added to the cleaning liquid when the measured drop number is at or near the control value. In one embodiment, the cleaning agent can be added until the measured drop number is at or near a baseline drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid when cleaning performance is acceptable).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert R. Roelofs
  • Patent number: 6694804
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring and/or adjusting the cleaning performance of a cleaning liquid. One method of the invention includes determining a control value (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide a selected volume) indicative of when the cleaning performance of the cleaning liquid is at or approaching an unacceptable level. At least one substrate can be contacted with the cleaning liquid and a drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid to provide the selected volume) again measured. At least one cleaning agent, such as at least one surfactant, can be added to the cleaning liquid when the measured drop number is at or near the control value. In one embodiment, the cleaning agent can be added until the measured drop number is at or near a baseline drop number for the cleaning liquid (i.e., the number of drops of the cleaning liquid when cleaning performance is acceptable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Roelofs
  • Patent number: 6672142
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the period of beer foam stability of sample of equal foam layer thicknesses comprising the steps of obtaining a sample by pouring a fixed amount of prescribed beer into a standard glass from a pouring height calculated to approximate a standard preset thickness, measuring the foam layer thickness and the period of foam stability of the sample, comparing the measured values with the standard foam layer thickness value, adjusting the beer pouring height to approximate the standard foam thickness more closely, pouring the fixed amount of the prescribed beer into a standard glass to obtain another sample, and measuring and storing the foam thickness value and period of foam stability of the sample, and reading the period of foam stability value corresponding to the standard foam layer thickness from a graph obtained by plotting the foam layer thickness data against the period of foam stability data for a plurality of samples obtained by repeating the above steps a number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yasui, Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6640618
    Abstract: A method for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. The method relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the column, and aerated to produce foam. The height of the column of foam is then measured using the acoustic sensor, which is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Publication number: 20030035757
    Abstract: A method for testing cleaning effect of a compound or compositions is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Steven Paul Georges Cooremans, Georg Rudolf Theobald Bechmann, Michael Godskesen, Soren Kjaerulff
  • Patent number: 6484568
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for foaming and then testing the foamed fluid. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel with upper and lower caps. A circular disk with a plurality of openings, which are preferably circular openings, is placed in the pressure vessel. The apparatus also includes a motor with a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft is attached to the pressure vessel so that when the motor is actuated, the pressure vessel can be rotated in a desired revolutions per minute. The method includes placing a mixture in the pressure vessel and then attaching the caps to the upper and lower ends of the vessel. The upper cap has a pressure gauge and has a pressure inlet and a pressure relief valve. The circular disk is placed in the vessel. The vessel is pressurized to a desired pressure with a gas motor. The motor is then actuated to rotate the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Griffith, Ricky A. Cox, John L. Dennis, Jr., Bryan K. Waugh
  • Publication number: 20020139176
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the period of beer foam stability of sample of equal foam layer thicknesses comprising the steps of obtaining a sample by pouring a fixed amount of prescribed beer into a standard glass from a pouring height calculated to approximate a standard preset thickness, measuring the foam layer thickness and the period of foam stability of the sample, comparing the measured values with the standard foam layer thickness value, adjusting the beer pouring height to approximate the standard foam thickness more closely, pouring the fixed amount of the prescribed beer into a standard glass to obtain another sample, and measuring and storing the foam thickness value and period of foam stability of the sample, and reading the period of foam stability value corresponding to the standard foam layer thickness from a graph obtained by plotting the foam layer thickness data against the period of foam stability data for a plurality of samples obtained by repeating the above steps a number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: SAPPORO BREWERIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yasui, Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6457348
    Abstract: A high-pressure high-velocity target inserter for use in steam cleaning. The target inserter uses an actuator connected to a tube assembly, which connects to a test line. The target inserter uses packing to prevent high-pressure steam from being released through the target inserter when the target rod is inserted and withdrawn from the line. In the preferred embodiment, the target rod passes through a remotely operated actuator controlled valve and a remotely controlled actuator controller, such that the operator is kept a safe distance away from the inserter when the access valve to the line is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Onyx Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20020134141
    Abstract: A high-pressure high-velocity target inserter for use in steam cleaning. The target inserter uses an actuator connected to a tube assembly, which connects to a test line. The target inserter uses packing to prevent high-pressure steam from being released through the target inserter when the target rod is inserted and withdrawn from the line. In the preferred embodiment, the target rod passes through a remotely operated actuator controlled valve and a remotely controlled actuator controller, such that the operator is kept a safe distance away from the inserter when the access valve to the line is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: David R. Walker
  • Patent number: 6439035
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the period of beer foam stability of sample of equal foam layer thicknesses comprising the steps of obtaining a sample by pouring a fixed amount of prescribed beer into a standard glass from a pouring height calculated to approximate a standard preset thickness, measuring the foam layer thickness and the period of foam stability of the sample, comparing the measured values with the standard foam layer thickness value, adjusting the beer pouring height to approximate the standard foam thickness more closely, pouring the fixed amount of the prescribed beer into a standard glass to obtain another sample, and measuring and storing the foam thickness value and period of foam stability of the sample, and reading the period of foam stability value corresponding to the standard foam layer thickness from a graph obtained by plotting the foam layer thickness data against the period of foam stability data for a plurality of samples obtained by repeating the above steps a number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yasui, Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6405580
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by a aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Patent number: 6397665
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by an aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Publication number: 20010042407
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by a aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Patent number: 6281020
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe in which the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe can be accurately measured with less variation and high reproducibility. In testing the cleanness of the inner surface of a high-pressure fuel injection pipe based on foreign particles collected by a filter for filtering a measuring liquid obtained by washing the inner circumferential surface of the high-pressure fuel injection pipe, at least the part of a group of measuring apparatuses used for testing the cleanness of the inner surface of the high-pressure fuel injection pipe that is in contact with the measuring liquid is washed using a washing solution comprising a solvent for dissolving foreign particles prior to the testing of cleanness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Masayoshi Usui