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US 5,117,882 AGranted
Microbubble-generating and dispensing devices and methods
AssigneeCorwin R. Horton
InventorUlf H. Stanford
Life of this patent
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AssigneeCorwin R. Horton
InventorUlf H. Stanford
Estimating the term…
Methods and devices for generating gas bubbles including a microbubble generating cell having a microporous mat permeable to gas appied thereagainst under pressure which has a ultrasonic energy generator such as a piezoelectric transducer in wave energy communication therewith for promoting flow and impeding fouling thereof. Such mat is comprised of compressed corrosion-resistant metal fibers of a diameter of between 2 and 80 microns, has a density of less than 70% of the density of the fibers and an average pore diameter of between 5 and 100 microns. Such methods and devices are associated with a vessel and/or a foil for a vessel for generating and dispensing microbubbles along the hull surfaces to reduce friction and turbulence on the wetted surface. The foil is positioned forward of vessel bowpeak with its trailing edge confronting same and has a microbubble dispenser for dispensing microbubbles in the path of the hull of the vessel.
A vessel of improved performance capability having at least one hull and a foil forward of at least a portion of the bowpeak of said hull below the waterline thereof and positioned with its trailing edge spaced forward of and confronting said bowpeak portion, said foil being elongated generally in the direction along said bowpeak portion, in proportion to the width of the foil in the fore-and-aft direction, and being elongated in the fore-to-aft direction, in proportion to the thickness of the foil transverse to the fore-to-aft direction, and means located at said foil for generating and dispensing microbubbles into the path of the bow of the hull, said means for generating and dispensing microbubbles comprising at least one cell for generating gas microbubbles underwater, said cell having an outer wall exposed to contact with water when submerged, a chamber in said cell adapted for receiving gas under pressure, a microporous mat forming at least a portion of said outer wall with the inner side of said mat in gas flow communication with said chamber, said mat comprising compressed, non-woven metal fibers bonded at crossing points, the average pore diameter of the pores through said mat being between about 5 and 100 microns and the density of said mat being below 70 percent of the density of said fibers, and wave generating means located adjacent said mat on the pressurized side thereof, said wave generating means comprising a piezoelectric transducer capable of generating wave energy having a frequency of between ten to ninety kilohertz.
A cell for generating gas microbubbles underwater, said cell having an outer wall exposed to contact with water when submerged, a chamber in said cell adapted for receiving gas under pressure, means for supplying a gas under pressure into said chamber, a microporous mat forming at least a portion of said outer wall with the inner side of said mat in gas flow commnunication with said chamber and, in wave energy impinging relationship to said mat, means for generating wave energy having a frequency of at least one kilohertz.
A method of generating microbubbles in a body of water which comprises placing in direct contact with said water one side of a microporous mat capable of producing microbubbles in said water when gas under pressure is applied to the other side thereof, impinging upon said mat wave energy having a frequency of between ten and ninety kilohertz while gas under pressure is applied to said other side.
A cell for generating gas microbubbles underwater, said cell having an outer wall exposed to contact with water when submerged, a chamber in said cell adapted for receiving gas under pressure, and a microporous mat forming at least a portion of said outer wall with the inner side of said mat in gas flow communication with said chamber, said mat comprising compressed, non-woven metal fibers bonded at crossing points, the average pore diameter of the pores through said mat being between about 5 and 100 microns and the density of said mat being below 70 percent of the density of said fibers, and, in wave energy impinging relationship to said mat, means for generating wave energy having a frequency of at least one kilohertz.
A method of generating microbubbles in a body of water which comprises placing in direct contact with said water one side of a mat of compressed, non-woven metal fibers bonded at crossing points, the average pore diameter of the pores through said mat being between about 5 and 100 microns and the density of said mat being below 70 percent of the density of said fibers, applying gas under pressure to the other side of said mat and impinging upon said mat wave energy having a frequency of between ten and ninety kilohertz while said gas under pressure is applied to said other side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.