System for ultrasonic wave type bubble removal

• US 4,205,966 A
• Filed: 11/02/1978
• Issued: 06/03/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Horikawa, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiesa, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US05/956,941
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 55/15, 55/277, 55/36, 55/38-43, 55/46, 55/49, 55/80, 210/19
• US Class Current: 95/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0078 by vibration

Abstract

An ultrasonic wave type bubble removing system for removing bubbles from a first liquid from which bubbles should be removed, by imparting ultrasonic wave vibration to the first liquid. A part of a liquid conduit is provided in an ultrasonic wave liquid tank which has an ultrasonic wave oscillator and is filled with an ultrasonic wave propagating liquid. An absolute pressure of 1.3 Kg/cm² or higher is maintained applied inside the liquid conduit. Ultrasonic wave vibration generated by the ultrasonic wave oscillator is imparted to the first liquid which is continuously delivered without causing a vapor-liquid interface in the liquid pipe, to dissolve the bubbles in the first liquid and to prevent deposition of bubbles under the atmospheric pressure.

Claims

1. A method of ultrasonic wave type bubble removing for removing bubbles from a first liquid by imparting ultrasonic wave vibration to said first liquid, comprising the steps of:

disposing a part of a liquid conduit in an ultrasonic wave liquid tank which is provided with an ultrasonic wave oscillator and is filled with an ultrasonic wave propagating liquid;

delivering said first liquid through said part of said conduit without a vapor-liquid interface in said conduit and while maintaining an absolute pressure of 1.3 Kg/cm² or higher inside side liquid conduit; and

generating ultrasonic wave vibration by said ultrasonic wave oscillator and imparting said vibration to said first liquid in said liquid pipe to dissolve the bubbles in said first liquid and prevent deposition of bubbles under the atmospheric pressure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

heating said first liquid to a first temperature higher than a second temperature thereof obtained when used; and

decreasing the temperature of said first liquid during said delivering step so that a solubility sufficient for preventing deposition of bubbles under the atmospheric pressure can be obtained.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional step of maintaining the temperature of said first liquid in said conduit by heat exchange with said ultrasonic wave propagating liquid in said liquid tank.

4. The method as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 comprising the additional step of coating said first liquid on a substrate.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of

disposing a second liquid conduit in said liquid tank,

delivering a second liquid through said second conduit in said tank without a vapor-liquid interface in said second conduit, and

imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said second liquid to dissolve any bubbles therein.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first liquid is the same as said second liquid.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second liquid is different from said first liquid.

8. In an ultrasonic wave type bubble removing device for removing bubbles from a first liquid by imparting ultrasonic wave vibration to said first liquid, the improvement comprising;

(a) a tank for preparing and storing said first liquid;

(b) a liquid conduit having its one end coupled to said tank and its other end communicating with a liquid delivering section under the atmospheric pressure;

(c) pressurizing and liquid delivering means for continuously delivering said first liquid through said liquid conduit while maintaining an absolute pressure of 1.3 Kg/cm² or higher inside said liquid pipe; and

(d) an ultrasonic wave liquid tank provided with an ultrasonic wave oscillator and containing an ultrasonic wave propagating liquid and through which a part of said liquid conduit passes.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said device further comprises a heat exchanger disposed downstream of said tank for decreasing a temperture of said first liquid continuously delivered under pressure so as to obtain a solubility sufficient for preventing deposition of bubbles under the atmospheric pressure.

10. A device as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein said liquid conduit passes through said liquid tank in a substantially horizontal manner.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 comprising a plurality of liquid conduits passing through said liquid tank in a substantially horizontal manner.

12. A device as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein said liquid conduit is disposed in said tank in a generally helical manner, said conduit being arranged to enter said tank near the bottom thereof and the helical portion disposed to ascend in said tank.

13. A device as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein said liquid conduit is shaped in a zig-zag manner during the portion passing through said liquid tank.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of zig-zag shaped conduits passing through said liquid tank.