System and Method for Surface Cleaning

• US 20150239021A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Ponomarev, Sergey G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,688,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0288 Ultra or megasonic jets
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/12 by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware using sonic or ultrasonic waves A47L15/13; of natural teeth, of prostheses using ultrasonic techniques similar to those used for natural teeth A61C17/20; application of ultrasonic vibrations to chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general B01J19/10
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 5/04 Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action B08B9/035 takes precedence; suction cleaners A47L
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/026 Using sound waves
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/028 Using ultrasounds
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/04 by a combination of operations

Abstract

A system for cleaning an object may include an acoustic device configured to deliver acoustic waves to the object, a cleaning medium dispenser configured to deliver a cleaning medium to a surface of the object, a rinsing medium dispenser configured to deliver a rinsing medium to the surface, a vacuum configured to deliver a vacuum airflow proximate the surface, wherein the acoustic waves generate acoustic vibrations in the object to dislodge debris from the surface, acoustically treat the cleaning medium and the rinsing medium, and atomize the cleaning medium, the debris collected by the cleaning medium and the rinsing medium.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning an object comprising a surface, said system comprising:

an acoustic device configured to deliver acoustic waves to said object;

a fluid dispenser configured to deliver a fluid to said surface;

a vacuum configured to deliver a vacuum airflow proximate said surface,

wherein said acoustic waves dislodge debris from said surface, acoustically treat said fluid, and atomize said fluid and said debris collected by said fluid.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said acoustic waves comprise at least one of longitudinal waves, shear waves, surface waves and plate waves.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a cleaning medium and a rinsing medium.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein a position of said acoustic device, a position of said fluid dispenser and a position of said vacuum are adjustable with respect to said surface.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid dispenser comprises:

a cleaning medium dispenser configured to deliver a cleaning medium to said surface; and

a rinsing medium dispenser configured to deliver a rinsing medium to said surface.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said cleaning medium dispenser, said rinsing medium dispenser and said vacuum are mounted to a cleaning head.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said cleaning head is mounted to a robotic assembly, and wherein said robotic assembly positions said cleaning head with respect to said surface.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said acoustic device comprises at least one of a sonic transducer and an ultrasonic transducer.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of acoustic devices arranged as an array of acoustic devices, wherein said array of acoustic devices is air coupled to said object.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said array of acoustic devices delivers focused acoustic waves to said surface, and wherein interference of said focused acoustic waves defines an acoustic wave interference zone on said surface.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said array of acoustic devices comprises at least one of a parametric array and a phased array.

2-3. -3. (canceled)

10-14. -14. (canceled)

19-20. -20. (canceled)

26-30. -30. (canceled)

31. A method for cleaning an object comprising a surface, said method comprising:

delivering acoustic waves to said object to dislodge debris from said surface;

delivering a cleaning medium to said surface to collect dislodged debris;

delivering said acoustic waves to said object to acoustically treat and atomize said cleaning medium and said dislodged debris;

applying a vacuum airflow to collect atomized cleaning medium and dislodged debris;

delivering a rinsing medium to said surface;

delivering said acoustic waves to said object to acoustically treat and atomize said rinsing medium; and

applying said vacuum airflow to collect atomized rinsing medium.

33. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

mounting said object to a holding fixture; and

delivering said acoustic waves to at least one of said holding fixture and said object to generate acoustic vibrations in said object.

35. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

focusing said acoustic waves on a cleaning zone on said surface; and

generating a pattern of acoustic vibrations in said object.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said step of generating said pattern of said acoustic vibrations comprises defining an acoustic interference zone on at least a portion of said surface through interference of said acoustic waves.

32. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

37-40. -40. (canceled)