US3904392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for debubbling liquids
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1973-03-16
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1993-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A liquid such as an aqueous or non aqueous photographic solution or dispersion, for example an aqueous gelatin-silver halide emulsion, is debubbled by flowing a stream into, through and out of a debubbling chamber while maintaining a pool in the chamber. Ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the pool by energizing an ultrasonic horn positioned within the pool, and a vacuum is pulled on the chamber to assist gas disengagement and removal. In one modification the entering liquid flows down the interior walls of the chamber as a thin film which is subjected to ultrasonic vibration by external transducers. The apparatus comprises a closed container, an ultrasonic horn projecting up from the bottom in position to be immersed in the pool, the vacuum forming means connected to the container above the surface of the liquid pool. The horn''s free end surface can be smooth, or can have projections or holes for energy concentration. The horn can have one, two or more antinodes within the container, and can have lateral projections at any antinode other than at the end. Means are provided for sensing the pool level and controlling the inflow of liquid to hold the level constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack A Vaningen
- 👤 Roger H Maddocks
- 👤 Arthur L Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/005; G03C1/025; B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0073; B01D19/0078; G03C1/74; G03C2001/7437; G03C2001/744; G03C2200/00; G03C2200/09; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S159/00; Y10S159/04; Y10S159/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for debubbling a liquid comprising, in comBination, a closed container having inlet and outlet for liquid; an acoustic horn projecting up from the bottom of said container into a lower portion thereof in position to be immersed in a pool of said liquid, said horn having a non planar irregular free end surface having a plurality of projections or cavities therein located at about a first antinode of longitudinal vibration of said horn; means for energizing said horn to vibrate rapidly; and vacuum forming means in communication with an upper portion of said container at a position above the surface of such a pool of liquid for creating a vacuum therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for debubbling a liquid comprising, in comBination, a closed container having inlet and outlet for liquid; an acoustic horn projecting up from the bottom of said container into a lower portion thereof in position to be immersed in a pool of said liquid, said horn having a non planar irregular free end surface having a plurality of projections or cavities therein located at about a first antinode of longitudinal vibration of said horn; means for energizing said horn to vibrate rapidly; and vacuum forming means in communication with an upper portion of said container at a position above the surface of such a pool of liquid for creating a vacuum therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the length of said horn within said container is at least about three-fourths wavelength, and wherein said horn has an irregular peripheral surface at about a second longitudinal antinode located about one-half wavelength from said free end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for debubbling a liquid comprising, in combination, a vacuum chamber; an acoustic horn in said vacuum chamber; a pressure chamber; an acoustic horn in said pressure chamber; first conduit means for supplying such a liquid to said vacuum chamber; second conduit means connecting said vacuum chamber to said pressure chamber for delivering debubbled liquid to said pressure chamber; pump means in said second conduit means for raising the pressure of such liquid above atmospheric pressure to cause residual bubbles to dissolve; and third conduit means for removing liquid from said pressure chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for debubbling a liquid comprising, in combination, a vacuum chamber; an acoustic horn in said vacuum chamber; a pressure chamber; an acoustic horn in said pressure chamber; first conduit means for supplying such a liquid to said vacuum chamber; second conduit means connecting said vacuum chamber to said pressure chamber for delivering debubbled liquid to said pressure chamber; pump means in said second conduit means for raising the pressure of such liquid above atmospheric pressure to cause residual bubbles to dissolve; and third conduit means for removing liquid from said pressure chamber.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for debubbling a liquid comprising flowing a stream of said liquid into, through and out of a degassing chamber while maintaining a pool of said liquid in said chamber having a level spaced below the upper end of said chamber, said liquid being introduced into said chamber adjacent the top thereof and being delivered to said pool of liquid as a thin annularly distributed film; transmitting acoustic vibrations to said pool by energizing an ultrasonic horn positioned within said pool; and maintaining a subatmospheric pressure within the space in said chamber above said liquid level and withdrawing gas liberated from said liquid from said space.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for debubbling a liquid comprising flowing a stream of said liquid into, through and out of a degassing chamber while maintaining a pool of said liquid in said chamber having a level spaced below the upper end of said chamber, said liquid being introduced into said chamber adjacent the top thereof and being delivered to said pool of liquid as a thin annularly distributed film; transmitting acoustic vibrations to said pool by energizing an ultrasonic horn positioned within said pool; and maintaining a subatmospheric pressure within the space in said chamber above said liquid level and withdrawing gas liberated from said liquid from said space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 also comprising transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to said thin film as said film flows to said pool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein said liquid is a photographic emulsion.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for debubbling a liquid comprising flowing a stream of said liquid into, through and out of a vacuum degassing chamber while maintaining a vacuum in said chamber and subjecting said liquid to acoustic vibrations to free gas therefrom; then raising the pressure of said liquid leaving said vacuum degassing chamber to a superatmospheric pressure and delivering said liquid into a pressure chamber while maintaining a superatmospheric pressure therein; subjecting said liquid in said pressure chamber to acoustic vibrations and driving residual gas bubbles into solution; and discharging said liquid from said pressure chamber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for debubbling a liquid comprising flowing a stream of said liquid into, through and out of a vacuum degassing chamber while maintaining a vacuum in said chamber and subjecting said liquid to acoustic vibrations to free gas therefrom; then raising the pressure of said liquid leaving said vacuum degassing chamber to a superatmospheric pressure and delivering said liquid into a pressure chamber while maintaining a superatmospheric pressure therein; subjecting said liquid in said pressure chamber to acoustic vibrations and driving residual gas bubbles into solution; and discharging said liquid from said pressure chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |