Dynamotive, LLC

H.p.g. Research Ltd.

Richard R Timewell

Klaus Heinrich Oehr

Harvey Donahue

Ronald Kim

Brenda Hoy

Reinhold C Roth

Muhammed M Al-Jiboory

A manufactured metal member, such as a wire, having a magnetite oxide film thereon, is subjected to mechanical stress to produce cracking of the magnetite film approximately to the surface of the metal member. The metal member is then moved through an electrolysis cell bath in which the metal member forms the anode thereof, and vertically positioned steel bars form the cathode. A pulsating DC current is applied to the anode and the cathode. The current flows to the surface of the metal member via the cracks in the oxide, maintaining the metal member anode in a state of depassivation and loosening the bond between the oxide film and the metal member. The loosened magnetite is then readily cleaned off the metal member. A thermal stressing step may also be used prior to the mechanical stressing.

Method for removal of certain oxide films from metal surfaces

An ultrasonic agitator (10) for generating turbulence in the vicinity of elongated metal workpieces (12) such as newly formed strands of wire. The system includes a bath (14) that is filled with a cleaning solution (16). The workpiece is introduced into the bath so as to move along a predetermined path of travel. One or more transducers (20, 24) are disposed in the bath to produce ultrasonic waves in the cleaning solution. The transducers are further configured and spaced so that the focal points of the vibrations substantially coincide with the path of travel with the workpiece. The transducers are driven by a signal generator (28) that causes the transducers to vibrate at a frequency between 0.5 and 3.0 MHz. The vibrations of the transducers produce ultrasonic waves that can be used to scrub off contaminants from the surface of the workpiece.

Ultrasonic agitator

A manufactured metal member, such as a wire, having a magnetite oxide film thereon, is first subjected to stress to produce cracking of the magnetite film approximately to the surface of the metal member. The metal member is then moved through an electrolysis cell bath in which the metal member forms the anode thereof, and vertically positioned steel bars form the cathode. A pulsating DC current is applied to the anode and the cathode. The current flows to the surface of the metal member via the cracks in the oxide, maintaining the metal member anode in a state of depassivation and loosening the bond between the oxide film and the metal member. The loosened magnetite is then readily cleaned off the metal member.

Metal electrodes (17,20) defining a cathode and anode are positioned in an electrolyte (28) so as to comprise an electrolysis cell (18). An electrical conditioning circuit (10) includes means for generating a pulsating DC voltage signal, which is connected to the metal electrodes (17,20). Particular characteristics of the pulsating signal, including in particular peak pulse voltage and duty cycle, have selected values such that hydrogen is produced from one electrode (17) and the other electrode (20) is maintained substantially in a state of depassivation, such that any oxide, scale or other inorganic compound pre-existing on the other electrode is removed and further such that the other electrode remains substantially clean.

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Vancouver, Canada

Richard R Timewell