Impulse Devices, Inc.

Dario Felipe Gaitan

Ross Alan Tessien

Daniel A Phillips

Robert A Hiller

Lawrence A Crum

David G Beck

Corey Scott

Ernest E Flores

Systems and methods for achieving cavitation at high static pressures which may be used in acoustic applications and research such as in liquid metal resonators. Novel preparation and electroplating methods are disclosed to improve boundary layer conditions. A chemical cleaning loop for containment and treatment for oxide removal and to develop a dynamic system for chemically treating liquid metal disposed in a liquid metal loop is also described. A liquid metal handling loop for containment and treatment is provided to maintain cleanliness of bulk liquid metal.

System and method for causing cavitation in a liquid metal

Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

Acoustical treatment of polymeric fibers and small particles and apparatus therefor

A method and apparatus of circulating cavitation fluid within a cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The system provides a means of circulating the cavitation fluid through a cavitation chamber, before or during cavitation chamber operation, as well as a means of draining and filling the chamber with minimal, if any, exposure of the cavitation fluid to the outside environment. The apparatus includes a network of conduits coupling the cavitation chamber to a cavitation fluid reservoir and at least one external fluid pump. Preferably the cavitation fluid reservoir serves the dual function of fluid reservoir and degassing chamber. Manipulation of various valves within the conduit network allows the cavitation fluid to either be pumped from the reservoir into the cavitation chamber or from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir. During cavitation chamber operation, the same pump and conduit network can be used to continuously or intermittently circulate the cavitation fluid through the degassing system. A vacuum pump coupled to the degassing system can operate continuously or intermittently during system degassing. In another aspect, the cavitation fluid circulation system includes a bubble trap immediately following the fluid pump, thus providing a means of capturing bubbles generated during the pumping operation. In yet another aspect, the cavitation fluid circulation system includes a filter, preferably for removing contaminants that could disrupt the cavitation process. In yet another aspect, the cavitation fluid circulation system includes a heat exchange system, thus allowing the temperature of the cavitation fluid to be controlled.

Cavitation fluid circulatory system for a cavitation chamber

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. Once formed, the cavities are cavitated, thereby releasing dissolved gases within the fluid which can then be removed using the circulatory system and the attached vacuum system.

Degassing procedure for a cavitation chamber

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. Once formed, the cavities are cavitated, thereby releasing dissolved gases within the fluid which can then be removed using the circulatory system and the attached vacuum system.

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber is non-flat and has a spherical curvature less than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. In at least one embodiment, a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly and/or the driver assembly and the exterior surface of the cavitation chamber.

Acoustic driver assembly for a spherical cavitation chamber

A method of constructing a port assembly for use with a single piece cavitation chamber, typically a spherical chamber, is provided. The port assembly includes a cone-shaped port, a cone-shaped mounting ring and a central member mounted within the mounting ring. The mounting ring is located within the chamber prior to the final assembly of the chamber itself, i.e., at a time in which the chamber is comprised of multiple pieces. After the final assembly of the chamber is complete, a central member such as a window, plug, gas feed-thru, liquid feed-thru, mechanical feed-thru or sensor assembly is placed within the chamber. The mounting ring is then pulled into place within the cone-shaped port, followed by the central member. To expedite assembly, specialized tools can be used to pull the mounting ring and the central member into place.

Method of constructing a port assembly in a spherical cavitation chamber

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature greater than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. The area of the contact ring is increased in one embodiment by chamfering a portion of the head mass such that the chamfered surface has the same curvature as the external surface of the chamber. In at least one embodiment, a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly and/or the driver assembly and the exterior surface of the cavitation chamber.

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The head mass of the driver assembly is permanently attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber via brazing or diffusion bonding. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum coupling efficiency between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. In at least one embodiment a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly.

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature less than the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing a ring of contact between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. In at least one embodiment, a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly and/or the driver assembly and the exterior surface of the cavitation chamber.

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is permanently attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber via brazing or diffusion bonding. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is adjacent to the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum coupling efficiency between the acoustic driver and the cavitation chamber. In at least one embodiment a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly.

An acoustic driver assembly for use with a spherical cavitation chamber is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass, coupled together with a centrally located threaded means (e.g., all thread, bolt, etc.). The driver assembly is either attached to the exterior surface of the spherical cavitation chamber with the same threaded means, a different threaded means, or a more permanent coupling means such as brazing, diffusion bonding or epoxy. In at least one embodiment, the transducer is comprised of a pair of piezo-electric transducers, preferably with the adjacent surfaces of the piezo-electric transducers having the same polarity. The surface of the head mass that is in contact with the external surface of the chamber has a spherical curvature equivalent to the spherical curvature of the external surface of the chamber, thus providing maximum surface contact between the driver assembly and the chamber. In at least one embodiment, a void filling material is interposed between one or more pairs of adjacent surfaces of the driver assembly and/or the driver assembly and the exterior surface of the cavitation chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Nevada City, CA, United States of America

Dario Felipe Gaitan