US3308048A - Electrolytic cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

ATI'ORNEY E. C. OLSON ELECTROLYTIC CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 25, 1962 w r v 1 \J. Ir w 1.; a H a m/ all 4a.:. 1 FIN/" 2 h Ti iv Q \\\\N 2 K I o llrrflfl m\l 8 2a.! i w 1 b 5 a a a I? 1 L March 7, 1967 United States Patent Of 3,308,048 ELECTROLYTIC CLEANING DEVICE Everette C. Olson, 1482 College Hill Drive,

Columbus, Ohio 43209 Filed July 25, 1962, Ser. No. 212,301 2 Claims. (Cl. 204-272) This invention relates in general to an electro-chemical process for the creation of reagents in a liquid composition and particularly to the utilization of such a process for cleaning foreign deposits from metallic objects.

The present invention in its more general aspect finds utility in the creation of reagents. The particular interest and unique utility of the process is in the cleaning of carbon and chamber combustion deposits from metallic objects. It is to be understood, however, the invention is not limited to a specific workpiece or object to be cleaned and the deposits may have been made or produced naturally, accidentally, or intentionally. The word cleaning as used hereinafter is defined, therefore, as the act of removing adhering matter from an object without particular regard to the nature of the matter or the composition of the object. This will include the removal of dirt, scale, rust, oxides and deposits formed during chemical or physico-chemical actions.

The present invention is an improvement on and relates to my co-pending application, S.N. 171,172, filed February 5, 1962, now Patent No. 3,234,047, for method and means for cleaning metal parts. In that application there is disclosed a new and improved cleaning method that finds special utility in the cleaning of gasoline combustion chamber deposits from the spark plug. More specifically, the invention generally comprises immersing the spark plug or object in a caustic bath, and applying an electrical current to the bath to impart a pulsating motion to the liquid. Also, the liquid becomes heated in the transformation and circulation. The pulsating movement of the heated liquid through and around the object to be cleaned is extremely effective in removing all the foreign deposits from the entire surface of the object.

Although the method disclosed in my co-pending application was fully operable, as intended, certain undesirable results did occur with respect to the design of the components and particularly the combustion chamber.

The present invention discloses a new and improved electro-chemical transducer for use in the process. This new element improves the action, increases its efficiency and most significantly increases the capacity of the process.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electro-chemical process for the removal of foreign matter from a workpiece without damage thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new combustion chamber in a liquid bath.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cleansing device that employs a liquid bath that has a pulsating circulatory motion imparted thereto and is heated to enhance the circulatory action of the liquid.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cleansing device that is relatively simple in operation and does not require trained or skilled operators.

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cleansing'device that is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and utilizes mostly conventional components.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in cross-section;

3,308,048 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 FIG. 2 is a preferred construction of the electrode taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an alternative construction of the electrode taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally comprising a container 20. The support 22 includes a housing 30 with a plurality of receptacles 25a-25n therein for receiving the workpieces or objects to be cleaned as explained hereinafter. Within the container is a conducting fluid 11 that is circulated through the combustion chamber 30, through the receptacles and around the objects 10. To cause the continuous circulatory movement of the fluids, centerpiece 40 further includes electrical means for interjecting an electrical current to the fluid in the chamber. This current, through violent chemical action, i.e., violent agitation, causes a pulsating wave to be imparted to the conducting fluid together with a heating action. The pulsating and heating action on the fluid causes the fluid to circulate in a continuous motion, as indicated by the arrow flow pattern, around the object 10 to be cleaned.

Referring specifically to the drawing, container 20 may be of the polyethylene plastic or other plastic material; alternatively, container 20 may be of glass or of asphalt base. Within the container 20, the fluid may be potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, in a concentrated saturated alkaline solution. Also within the container 20, and immersed in the caustic solution, is the support piece 22. This support piece is preferably of ceramic, but may be rubber or other material. In the upper portion of the support 22 there is positioned a receptacle 30 for holding the object 10 to be cleaned in the caustic solution. The size and shape of the receptacle is, of course, dependent upon the size, shape and number of objects to be cleaned at any given time. In the preferred embodiment of the FIG. 1, plurality holders 25a-2Sn are shown to receive the objects, such as plug 10, to be cleaned. The receptacle is therefore made of a general shape to support, in an upright position, the workpiece.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown, in more particular detail, the electro-chemical transducer comprising the center section and end section 41. Electrode 50 is a sturdy electrical conductor adapted at its upper end to receive one line 81 of an alternating current source 80. The lower end of electrode 50 is terminated in a cup-shaped metallic end member 53, having a relatively sharp upper edge 47 of the upright side 45. Insulating material 43 positions the end of the electrode 50 in the end member 53. The upper end of the insulating material 43 is extended to form the dielectric baffle 40. Spatially positioned around the upright side of the end member 53, is a cylindrical metallic member 57. To insure the proper spacing of elements, a dielectric material 51 is provided. Completing the electrochemical transducer is the outer wall 41. This wall 41 is also a metallic cylindrical member and spatially positioned on the outside of the metallic cylinder 57. To insure a fluid flow path and yet maintain electrical contact betweeen the metallic cylinders 41 and 57, metal spacers, in this instance a metal spring 49, is utilized.

In operation of the combustion chamber shown in the FIG. 2, one side of an alternating electrical source 80 via lead 81 and choke 83 is connected to the electrode and the other side of the source via lead 82 is connected to the outer wall 41. Choke 83 is a current limiting element during warm-up of the fluid and further acts to magnify the voltage imparted to the electrode. In this way a relation between electrical field strength, temperature and the concentration of the reactant is established by the transducer and 45. This electrical field causes a combustion, i.e., violent agitation, in the fluid in the re- .gion of the strongest electrical field, in this embodiment the exposed upper edge 47 of wall 45 and the upper edge 59 of cylinder 57. The combustion, in turn, causes the fluid in the area A to sputter and become violently heated. When the fluid in this localized area arrives at a state where combustion can no longer occur, the combustible components in the fluid are consumed and the combustion ceases. The combustion, however, will have caused the fluid to become agitated and heated, giving rise to a thermal current causing the resultant localized explosion to propagate into the neighboring region of weaker field. In essence, this action washes away the non-combustible fluid and introduces, through the closed fluid loop, cool combustible fluid. With the new fluid now surrounding the exposed areas, combustion again occurs. This cycle of combustion and non-combustion occurs repetitively at a frequency less than the power line frequency.

The fluid being subjected to pulsating agitation in the combustion chamber is forced up between the two cylinders 41 and 57 along the walls of the dielectric baflie 40 through the workpiece receptacles 25a-25n supported and extending through the member 30 and down the walls of the container and then back into the combustion chamher.

To be noted specifically is the arrangement of components in the combustion chamber to insure the proper fluid circulatory path. The two cylinders 41 and 57 drop lower into the liquid composition than the center electrode 50. In this way, the cool liquid is continuously introduced into the combustion area. To provide a strong fluid flow, in the nature of a jet, the dielectric baffle 40 extends from the point of combustion upwards to the support 30. To assist in the jet action, the cylinder 41 extends upwards of the cylinder 57. That is, the inner cylinder 41 is terminated at the same point as the inner electrode member 47. At the ends of these two electrodes, combustion occurs causing a shock wave to be set up. The two wallsthe dielectric baflle 40 and the cylinder 57 guide the fluid flow upwards.

The configuration described above gives a complete circulatory action throughout the chamber. It has been found in some instances, such as with the application of the system to small components, that a quick response to the violent chemical action is desired. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment wherein the dielectric baffle has been altered and the outer wall eliminated. In this way, the fluid path is controlled and the immediate combustion creates a very small circulatory movement in the immediate vicinity of the ends 73 and 79 of the electrodes 74 and 78. With increased usage of the chamber, complete circulatory action will, of course, result.

In the theoretical operation of the combustion chamber of the present invention, when an electrical field is set up, an alternating electrolysis occurs. The alternating field causes alternately a breakdown and then a recombining of the components. Additionally, with the accumulation of combustible components, there is ignition by the electric field and consequently there is a localized explosion at the ends of the two electrodes. The combination of the recycling electrolysis process, with the brute force created by the explosion, plus the thermal effect, causes the fluid to be rapidly displaced. These continual explosions drive the reactive components from the region of the very strong field, and by the driving force, the components of the solution are forcibly driven apart and not permitted to recombine.

Although the combustion chamber described herein is especially suitable for chemically removing foreign matter from metallic objects, it is not intended to be so limited. The process of the present invention is also useful in creating reagents. As typical examples in a solution of sodium chloride the process can create free chlorine C1 and hypochlorous acid HOCl; in a solution of sodium hydroxide there is created hydrogen H oxygen 0 and ozone O and in a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide, there is created sodium hypochloride NaOCl and hydrogen H Similarly, most any other conducting solution of solutes and solvents will react in the process to create reagents.

Although there is described certain and specific illustrations of the invention, departures may be had thereto without departing from its true spirit and scope.

What is claimed is: I

1. A device for cleaning foreign deposits from metallic objects comprising a container adapted to retain a conducting fluid therein, a combustion region, means for supporting said objects in said container, and an electro-' chemical transducer positioned in said region, said transducer comprising a pair of coaxially positioned spaced electrodes, the first of said electrodes extending from said support and terminating in an upright enlarged cup-like end member having the rim thereof in electrical contact with said fluid and the space in said cup member being filled with a dielectric material and the second of said electrodes further comprising a cylinder spatially posi-' tioned around the outer wall of said end member and in electrical contact with said fluid, the space between said:

cylinder and the outer wall of said cup member having a dielectric material therein, the uppermost rim of said cylinder in said cup member being in alignment to define said region, means for applying a source of alternating electrical potential to said electrodes to impart a pulsating action in said fluid, and means for restricting the move ment of said fluid to force the fluid in a continuous pul-- sating movement in the spacing between said electrodes.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for re-' stricting the movement of said fluid includes a second metallic cylinder spacially positioned around the outer wall of said first cylinder and means for maintaining electrical contact between said first and said second cylinders.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,940,775 12/1933 Smith 10323 1.5 2,678,377 5/1954 Justiz 219293 2,729,737 1/1956 Choussy 219-290 2,779,695 1/1957 Brown 134-1 7 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

A. B. CURTIS, D. JORDAN, Assistant Examiners,

Claims (1)

1. A DEVICE FOR CLEANING FOREIGN DEPOSITS FROM METALLIC OBJECTS COMPRISING A CONTAINER ADAPTED TO RETAIN A CONDUCTING FLUID THEREIN, A COMBUSTION REGION, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID OBJECTS IN SAID CONTAINER, AND AN ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSDUCER POSITIONED IN SAID REGION, SAID TRANSDUCER COMPRISING A PAIR OF COAXIALLY POSITIONED SPACED ELECTRODES, THE FIRST OF SAID ELECTRODES EXTENDING FROM SAID SUPPORT AND TERMINATING IN AN UPRIGHT ENLARGED CUP-LIKE END MEMBER HAVING THE RIM THEREOF IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID FLUID AND THE SPACE IN SAID CUP MEMBER BEING FILLED WITH A DIALECTRIC MATERIAL AND THE SECOND OF SAID ELECTRODES FURTHER COMPRISING A CYLINDER SPATIALLY POSITIONED AROUND THE OUTER WALL OF SAID END MEMBER AND IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT THE OUTER WALL OF SAID CUP MEMBER HAVING A DIELECTRIC MATERIAL THEREIN, THE UPPERMOST RIM OF SAID CYLINDER IN SAID CUP MEMBER BEING IN ALIGNMENT TO DEFINE SAID REGION, MEANS FOR APPLYING A SOURCE OF ALTERNATING ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL TO SAID ELECTRODES TO IMPART A PULATING ACTION IN SAID FLUID, AND MEANS FOR RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FLUID TO FORCE THE FLUID IN A CONTINUOUS PULSATING MOVEMENT IN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID ELECTRODES.

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