Fluoroether grease acoustic couplant

• US 4,929,368 A
• Filed: 07/07/1989
• Issued: 05/29/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Joseph Baumoel
• Inventors: Baumoel, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Howard, Jacqueline V.
• Application Number:
  US07/376,529
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 252/11, 252/54, 252/58, 156/333
• US Class Current: 508/181
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 107/38 containing halogen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2211/06 Perfluorinated compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/00 Organic macromolecular compounds containing halogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/02 obtained from monomers containing carbon, hydrogen and halogen only
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/04 obtained from monomers containing carbon, hydrogen, halogen and oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/06 Perfluoro polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/062 Polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/00 Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/30 Refrigerators lubricants or compressors lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/32 Wires, ropes or cables lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/34 Lubricating-sealants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/36 Release agents or mold release agents
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/38 Conveyors or chain belts
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/40 Generators or electric motors in oil or gas winning field
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/42 Flashing oils or marking oils
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/44 Super vacuum or supercritical use
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/50 Medical uses
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/662 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/02 Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators

Abstract

A couplant material for establishing a sonic path of good acoustical impedance between an ultrasonic transducer and a sonic medium. The material is capable of being easily shaped at room temperature and withstanding vibration and thermal cycling from room temperature to over 500° F. while substantially maintaining its acoustical properties and providing a minimum of irritating fumes and outgasses. A preferred couplant material is a polytetrafluoroethylene grease or perfluoropolyalkylether grease, which have been used previously as lubricants.

Claims

1. In combination;

an ultrasonic transducer, a conduit for carrying fluid which is at a temperature in excess of 500°

F., a clamping structure for clamping a surface of said transducer to the exterior surface of said conduit, and a sonic coupling fluid disposed between said surface of said transducer and said exterior surface;

said coupling fluid comprising a fluoroether grease.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fluoroether grease is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene grease and perfluoropolyalkylether grease.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluoroether grease is a polytetrafluoroethylene grease.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fluoroether grease is a perfluoropolyalkylether grease.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said perfluoropolyalkylether grease is a fluorine-end-capped homopolymer of hexafluoropropylene epoxide containing a thickening agent.