Bulk ultrasonic degreasing, cleaning, and drying method

• US 6,279,584 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Veridiam, Inc.
• Original Assignee: CRS Incorporated (Carpenter Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Huffman, Stanley S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/677,004
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 134/1, 134/61, 134/66, 134/76, 134/77, 134/83, 134/89, 134/90, 134/105, 134/107, 134/108, 134/184, 134/186, 134/2, 134/4, 134/13, 134/26, 134/30, 134/34, 134/38, 134/40
• US Class Current: 134/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/08 the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect substances used, see the relevant classes
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for removing a coating from an elongated metal part or a bundle of such parts is described. The disclosed system includes a soaking vessel that contains a solution suitable for degreasing the metal part and softening the coating thereon. An ultrasonic cleaning vessel containing an aqueous cleaning solution cleans the coating off of the metal part by ultrasonic agitation. The system further includes at least one rinsing vessel for rinsing the cleaning solution of the cleaned part, and a drying vessel for rapidly and thoroughly drying the part after it has been rinsed. In the disclosed process, the elongated metal part, or a bundle of such parts, is/are soaked in a solution that is maintained at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to soften the coating. The elongated metal part is then subjected to ultrasonic agitation in an aqueous cleaning solution bath at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to loosen and dislodge the coating from the elongated metal part. The elongated metal part is then rinsed to remove any residue and rapidly dried.

Claims

1. A method of removing a coating from the surface of an elongated metal part comprising the steps of:

soaking the elongated metal part in a soaking solution contained in a soaking vessel, said soaking solution being maintained at an elevated temperature and for a time sufficient to soften the coating;

immersing the elongated metal part in an aqueous cleaning solution bath at an elevated temperature, said aqueous cleaning solution bath being contained in a cleaning vessel;

agitating the aqueous cleaning solution bath for a time sufficient to loosen the coating from the elongated metal part;

rinsing the elongated metal part to remove any residue; and

then

drying the elongated metal part.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of agitating the aqueous cleaning solution bath comprises the step of applying ultrasonic waves to the aqueous cleaning solution bath.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of rinsing the elongated metal part comprises the steps of:

spraying the elongated metal part as it is removed from the aqueous cleaning solution bath; and

immersing the elongated metal part in a rinsing liquid that is heated to an elevated temperature, said rinsing liquid being contained in a rinsing vessel.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of rinsing the elongated metal part comprises the steps of:

spraying the elongated metal part as it is removed from the aqueous cleaning solution bath;

immersing the elongated metal part in a first rinsing liquid that is heated to a first elevated temperature said rinsing liquid being contained in a first rinsing vessel; and

immersing the elongated metal part in a second rinsing liquid that is heated to a second elevated temperature, said rinsing liquid being contained in a second rinsing vessel.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of drying the elongated metal part comprises the steps of:

placing the elongated metal part in a drying vessel;

closing the drying vessel;

heating the elongated metal part and rinsing liquid remaining thereon to an elevated temperature;

opening the drying vessel; and

blowing air through the drying vessel over the elongated metal at a velocity and volume sufficient to vaporize the rinsing liquid, whereby the elongated metal is simultaneously dried and cooled.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of heating the elongated metal part and residual rinsing liquid thereon comprises the step of injecting steam into the drying vessel.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of soaking the elongated metal part comprises the steps of:

removing the soaking solution from the soaking vessel such that loosened soil and particles of the coating suspended in the soaking solution are also removed from the soaking vessel;

removing the loosened soil and coating particles from the soaking solution to provide clean soaking solution; and

injecting the clean soaking solution into the soaking vessel, whereby the soaking solution is recycled.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the step of removing the loosened soil and coating particles from the soaking solution comprises the steps of:

transferring the soaking solution removed from the soaking vessel to a holding vessel; and

passing the soaking solution from the holding tank through a filter.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of immersing the elongated metal part in the aqueous cleaning solution bath comprises the steps of:

removing aqueous cleaning solution from the cleaning vessel whereby loosened soil and particles of the coating suspended in the cleaning solution are also removed from the cleaning vessel;

removing the loosened soil and coating particles from the cleaning solution whereby purified cleaning solution is provided; and

injecting the purified cleaning solution into the cleaning vessel, whereby the cleaning solution is recycled.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of removing the loosened soil and coating particles from the cleaning solution comprises the steps of:

transferring the cleaning solution removed from the cleaning vessel to a holding vessel; and

then

passing the cleaning solution from the holding tank through a filter.