Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In the present invention, a solution containing a target substance is atomized into a mist by ultrasonic oscillation in an ultrasonic atomization chamber, and the target substance is collected by aggregating the atomized mist in a collection chamber, whereby the target substance is separated from the solution. Further, in the present invention, the gas phase pressure in the collection chamber is maintained to be higher than an atmospheric pressure, whereby the saturation vapor pressure of the target substance in the gas phase is made lower than the saturation vapor pressure under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A degassing and water removal apparatus is used in combination with the testing or replacement of dielectric oil in an RF transmitter. The apparatus comprises at least one ultrasound transducer in vibrational communication with a bulk oil sample held in a tank having a reduced internal air pressure. The tank has fluid connections to the RF transmitter through which oil from the transmitter is drained to the tank and through which the ambient air pressure in the transmitter is reduced. A fluid pump is used to pump the oil from the tank back to the RF transmitter. In a method of using such an apparatus, the RF transmitter is held at reduced internal pressure during the return of oil thereto, so that the oil does not dissolve gases in the atmosphere internal to the RF transmitter.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of degassing a coating liquid, comprising the step of: irradiating the coating liquid with a plurality of ultrasonic waves of different frequency bands simultaneously to degass said coating liquid.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system. A signal generator system includes a multiple of transducers located adjacent a fuel channel. The transducers are arranged to generate acoustic flow chaotization and cavitation-induced phase separation which destroys oxygen depleted boundary layers and significantly improving flow mixing, intensifying oxygen supply to the surface of an oxygen-removing membrane of the deoxygenator system.

Abstract: First, the overall quantity of bubbles in a coating liquid is reduced in advance by vacuum deaeration performed in conjunction with preparation of the coating liquid in a stirring tank in a first step, then bubbles of relatively large sizes, of bubbles that have not been removed in the first step are removed by a tank type deaeration device with ultrasonic waves in a floatation tank in a second step, and finally bubbles of very small to small sizes that are difficult to remove in the first and second steps are dissolved in the liquid under pressure with ultrasonic waves and thereby removed in a pipeline in a third step. According to this, bubbles in the coating liquid can reliably be removed irrespective of the nature of the coating liquid, a large amount of coating liquid can be treated, and the possibility that the quality of the deaerated coating liquid is adversely affected is eliminated.

Abstract: A method for separating phases of a mixture comprising and oil-water together with gas. At least a substantial part of the gas is separated from the emulsion before the emulsion is introduced into a separator tank. The oil-water emulsion from which the gas has been separated is conducted to a liquid-liquid cyclone for further separating the phases of the emulsion. The liquid-liquid cyclone is located inside the separator tank. The emulsion is conducted to the separator tank for separating the oil from the water.

Abstract: First, the overall quantity of bubbles in a coating liquid is reduced in advance by vacuum deaeration performed in conjunction with preparation of the coating liquid in a stirring tank in a first step, then bubbles of relatively large sizes, of bubbles that have not been removed in the first step are removed by a tank type deaeration device in a floatation tank in a second step, and finally bubbles of very small to small sizes that are difficult to remove in the first and second steps are dissolved in the liquid under pressure and thereby removed in a pipeline in a third step. According to this, bubbles in the coating liquid can reliably be removed irrespective of the nature of the coating liquid, a large amount of coating liquid can be treated, and the possibility that the quality of the deaerated coating liquid is adversely affected is eliminated.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for deaerating a liquid layer such as a coating solution using electrostatic forces. A flow of charged particles is created above and moved towards a low conductivity liquid layer. The flow of charged particles causes localized thinning of the liquid layer which facilitates the removal of bubbles of entrained gas from the liquid by bringing those bubbles closer to the exposed surface of the liquid and rupturing them at that surface. This electrostatic deaeration technique is combined with other non-electrostatic liquid layer thinning techniques or degassing techniques to further facilitate removal of bubbles from the liquid in preparation of further processing of the liquid. The liquid layer may be stationary or flowing with respect to the application of charge particles.

Abstract: A method is taught for removing bubbles from a coating solution prior to a coating operation. The method comprises debubbling the coating solution in a tank open to atmosphere to remove bubbles having a diameter in the range of from about 200 to 300 &mgr;m and greater therefrom; flowing the coating solution from the tank to a bubble elimination tube; debubbling the coating solution in the bubble elimination tube to remove bubbles from the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 200 &mgr;m, the bubble elimination tube preferably including at least one ultrasonic horn; flowing the coating solution from the bubble elimination tube through an end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator, the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator removing remaining bubbles in the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 30 &mgr;m; and delivering the coating solution from the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator to the downstream coating operation.

Abstract: A debubbling apparatus for removing gaseous bubbles entrained in a liquid is taught which has improved dearation capacity. The debubbling apparatus includes a vessel including a liquid inlet, at least one well extending from the vessel, the at least one well having a liquid outlet, and an ultrasonic transducer horn residing in the at least one well, the at least one well and the ultrasonic transducer horn residing therein being positioned at an angle in the range of from about 20° to about 45° with respect to vertical. With the ultrasonic horn and well so angled, bubbles in the liquid in the at least one well are subjected to a buoyancy force, a drag force, and an acoustic wave force which yields a resultant force that drives the bubbles toward an upper wall section of the at least one well.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for defoaming aqueous or non-aqueous foams comprising placing a sonicator probe directly into said foam and thereafter sonicating said foam in pulse mode at a sonication energy of at least about 25 watts/cm2 for a time required to collapse the foam.

Abstract: A method is taught for removing bubbles from a coating solution prior to a coating operation. The method comprises debubbling the coating solution in a tank open to atmosphere to remove bubbles having a diameter in the range of from about 200 to 300 &mgr;m and greater therefrom; flowing the coating solution from the tank to a bubble elimination tube; debubbling the coating solution in the bubble elimination tube to remove bubbles from the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 200 &mgr;m, the bubble elimination tube preferably including at least one ultrasonic horn; flowing the coating solution from the bubble elimination tube through an end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator, the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator removing remaining bubbles in the coating solution having a diameter greater than about 30 &mgr;m; and delivering the coating solution from the end cap round ultrasonic bubble eliminator to the downstream coating operation.

Abstract: A method is taught for debubbling a liquid composition containing entrained gas bubbles that increases the effectiveness of ultrasonic debubbling apparatus employed. The method comprises the steps of immersing an ultrasonic horn in water, the horn being contained within a vessel and coupled to a pair of transducers; adjusting an RF generator connected to the pair of transducers to produce a signal at or near a parallel resonance frequency of the pair of transducers; fixing the RF generator at a constant voltage level; and flowing the liquid composition to be debubbled through the vessel with the RF generator operating at constant voltage level and at a variable operating power level that varies with the viscosity of the liquid composition.

Abstract: A method is taught for debubbling a liquid composition containing entrained gas bubbles that increases the effectiveness of ultrasonic debubbling apparatus employed. The method comprises the steps of immersing an ultrasonic horn in water, the horn being contained within a vessel and coupled to a pair of transducers; adjusting an RF generator connected to the pair of transducers to produce a signal at or near a parallel resonance frequency of the pair of transducers; fixing the RF generator at a constant voltage level; and flowing the liquid composition to be debubbled through the vessel with the RF generator operating at constant voltage level and at a variable operating power level that varies with the viscosity of the liquid composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for decontaminating contaminated matter, such as an object or substance, with ultrasonic transient cavitation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container for containing a contaminated object, a pressure source for pressurizing the container to a predetermined pressure, a vibration source operably connected to the container, and a cleaning solution comprising a predetermined concentration of a volatile substance. The presence of the volatile substance in the cleaning solution, along with the pressurization and vibration thereof, enhances the effect of ultrasonic transient cavitation and improves decontamination of the contaminated matter.

Abstract: Gas bubbles in a moving fluid are collected in a chamber alongside the conduit carrying the fluid. In a preferred embodiment, an ultrasonic transducer cooperates with a reflector to create a standing ultrasonic wave pattern that is oriented at an acute angle to the horizontal axis of fluid flow. Bubbles gather at the troughs between the waves and then move between the pressure waves in the downstream direction to be collected in the chamber. Bouyant forces aid the movement of the bubbles in an upward direction. A gas permeable window at the top of the chamber allows removal of the collected bubbles.

Abstract: A system is provided to coalesce bubbles in the wake of a structure that rces the surface of the water. Acoustic sources mounted to the structure produce a plurality of plane waves above and below the surface of the water. The plane waves intersect to create a plurality of standing wave fields both above and below the surface of the water. The standing wave fields operate on bubbles in the wake to coalesce same.

Abstract: In an apparatus for defoaming liquid with ultrasonic wave in order to eliminate foam or bubble from the liquid, provided with an ultrasonic wave liquid tank, a defoaming tank, and an ultrasonic oscillator for irradiating ultrasonic wave through the ultrasonic wave transmitting liquid to the defoaming tank; at least a part of the defoaming tank is immersed in the ultrasonic wave transmitting liquid in the ultrasonic wave liquid tank, and a degree of unsaturation of dissolved air in the ultrasonic wave transmitting liquid under defoaming operation is not lower than 10%.

Abstract: A method for wetting a filter element by a high viscosity liquid and an apparatus for practicing such method are provided. In the method, a sealable container that is equipped with a vibration device and is capable of holding a pressurized liquid therein is used. The vibration device creates a vibration in the pressurized liquid such that trapped air bubbles in the filter element are separated from the filter element and are exhausted. The method and apparatus can be used for pre-wetting any filter element in any type of liquid, either of the high viscosity type or of the low viscosity type, even though it is particularly suitable for wetting a filter element by a high viscosity liquid and removing trapped air bubbles in the filter element.

Abstract: Debubbling apparatus may have many uses, for example, in the manufacture of photographic materials where bubbles are to be removed from liquid photographic emulsion prior to application of such emulsion to a supporting substrate, in the food processing industries or in confectionery manufacture where air bubbles are undesirable because they may harbour germs, or in blood transfusion apparatus where air bubbles present a potentially lethal hazard. Described herein is a debubbling apparatus which comprises a vessel having an outlet and an inlet spaced from one another longitudinally of the vessel, means for imparting rotational movement, about a longitudinal axis of the vessel to liquid passed through said vessel from said inlet to said outlet, and means for transmitting a beam of ultrasound along the axis of said vessel in the direction towards said inlet, from a location closer to said outlet than to said inlet.

Abstract: A sample handling system provides an evenly-suspended, small volume, bubble-free sample to an analyzer such as a light scattering particle size analyzer. A flow of suspension is forced through an elongate channel below the surface of the liquid in the channel, along a downwardly sloping path, into impact with an end wall, and through an abrupt downward turn. Controlled turbulence created in the flow disperses particles and releases bubbles from the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing bubbles from a discrete sample of a temperature-sensitive liquid, particularly a photographic emulsion. A container having a bottom and side walls defines a sample area containing the liquid to be sampled and is made of a substantially acoustically transparent material. The container is removably mounted to a receptacle such that the bottom and at least a portion of the side walls are immersed in a fluid bath. The fluid bath is heated to maintain the liquid at a predetermined temperature greater than ambient temperature. An ultrasonic device spaced from the container directs ultrasonic waves through the fluid toward the bottom of the container to degas the liquid.

Abstract: Gas which is contaminated with liquid and/or solid is purified using a vertically oriented Venturi column in conjunction with a sound field. At the throat of the Venturi column, a scrubbing liquid is atomized and injected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow of the contaminated gas. A sound field is generated at the throat in order to cause the contaminate to shift relative to the vesicles of the scrubbing liquid.

Abstract: A method of degassing utilizing a degassing faucet having a first portion which includes a liquid inlet with a first cross-sectional area and a liquid outlet with a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area, the liquid outlet being disposed adjacent a conduit portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the second cross-sectional area and the degassing faucet having a second portion with an impact surface.

Abstract: There is presented a sonic apparatus for degassing liquids. The apparatus cludes a vessel for receiving and releasably retaining an open-top container and adapted to be closed with the container therein, transducer suspension structure positioned in the vessel, an ultrasonic transducer suspended from the structure and disposed in the container spaced from the walls and bottom of the container and beneath the surface of a liquid contained therein. The apparatus further includes a signal generator outside of the vessel for transmitting power to the transducer, and a vacuum pump for maintaining the vessel interior at a vacuum.

Abstract: A generator for driving an ultrasonic transducer for use in ultrasonic cleaning. The generator is based on a voltage controlled oscillator which drives an output circuit which includes the ultrasonic transducer. The output circuit has a resonant frequency, and a resonance follower produces a control voltage which tunes the voltage controlled oscillator to the resonant frequency. Operating in conjunction with the automatic tuning elements is a constant power control which allows the user to set a desired power level, and monitors the actual output power by means of an output wattmeter circuit, to cause the actual output power to match the level selected by the user. The constant output power circuit is effective even during resonance tracking of the system, or during frequency modulation of the ultrasonic output energy.

Abstract: The invention is a sampling device (4) and method used to remove bubble free samples from a bubble laden liquid. The device includes a power supply (10), a transducer (6) and a sampling probe (5). The power supply (10) converts normal line voltage to 20 kHz electrical energy. This high frequency electrical energy is converted to mechanical vibrations via the piezoelectric transducer (6). These mechanical vibrations propagate down the sampling probe (5) and emanate from the tip of the probe in the form of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves emanating from the probe tip serve to push away air bubbles from the vicinity of the tip. This allows the removal of a bubble free sample from the bubble laden liquid for further analysis.