Directed flow pressure washer system, method and apparatus

Abstract

A directed flow pressure washer system for precision cleaning of one or more parts includes a gas source containing a gas, a solvent source containing a solvent, and a plurality of inlets connected to an elongated pipe tubing. The gas source is connected to a first inlet. The first inlet is configured to receive the gas therethrough, the solvent source is connected to a second inlet, and the second inlet is configured to receive the solvent therethrough. The system includes a component retainer removably attached to the elongated pipe tubing. The parts are located in the elongated pipe tubing at the distal end such that the parts are exposed to a directed variable pressure and flow rate of the gas and/or the solvent. The component retainer is configured with one or more openings at an outlet thereof to allow particles therethrough while retaining the parts during cleaning.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A directed flow pressure washer system for precision cleaning of one or more parts, comprising:
 a gas source containing a gas;   a solvent source containing a solvent;   a plurality of inlets connected to an elongated pipe tubing at a proximal end thereof via an intersection, wherein the gas source is connected to a first inlet of the plurality of inlets via a first tubing, wherein the first inlet is configured to receive the gas therethrough, wherein the solvent source is connected to a second inlet of the plurality of inlets via a second tubing, wherein the second inlet is configured to receive the solvent therethrough; and   a component retainer removably attached to the elongated pipe tubing at a distal end thereof,   wherein the one or more parts are located in the elongated pipe tubing at the distal end of the elongated pipe tubing such that the one or more parts are exposed to a directed variable pressure and flow rate of the gas and/or the solvent,   wherein the component retainer is configured with one or more openings at an outlet thereof to allow particles therethrough while retaining the one or more parts in the elongated pipe tubing during cleaning.   
     
     
         22 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein the first inlet comprises a filter configured to filter the gas to a certain micron level before the gas passes through the intersection for cleaning of the one or more parts in the elongated pipe tubing. 
     
     
         23 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein the second inlet comprises a filter configured to filter the solvent to a certain micron level before the solvent passes through the intersection for cleaning of the one or more parts in the elongated pipe tubing. 
     
     
         24 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , further comprising a detergent or surfactant source for supplying a detergent or surfactant, wherein the detergent or surfactant source is configured to be connected to a third inlet of the plurality of inlets, wherein the third inlet is configured to receive the detergent or surfactant via a third tubing. 
     
     
         25 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of inlets are controllable via a shut-off valve for each inlet such that the gas, the detergent or surfactant, and the solvent flow intermittently or simultaneously into the intersection. 
     
     
         26 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein the gas accelerates the solvent and forms pockets of gas that compresses and pushes through the one or more parts contained in the elongated pipe tubing and triggers a repeating pulse of energy during cleaning. 
     
     
         27 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein turbulence and a change from liquid to gas pushes particles in one direction during cleaning. 
     
     
         28 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein a change from gas to liquid and back to gas provides energy to dislodge particles and moves at least a portion of the particles through the one or more parts and in turn through the outlet. 
     
     
         29 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of inlets are configured with at least one valve or orifice to regulate back pressure during cleaning. 
     
     
         30 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein one or more of the plurality of inlets are configured to receive process aids during cleaning. 
     
     
         31 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen, compressed air, argon, or carbon dioxide, or other pressurized gas that does not damage the one or more parts located in the elongated pipe tubing. 
     
     
         32 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 24 , wherein the detergent or surfactant source comprises at least one of any detergent solution that does not damage the one or more parts located in the elongated pipe tubing. 
     
     
         33 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , wherein the solvent comprises at least one of ultra-pure de-ionized water, distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, mineral spirits, rust inhibitor or industrial cleaning solvent. 
     
     
         34 . The directed flow pressure washer system of  claim 21 , further comprising a sonic cavitation transducer configured to provide increased particle liberation via sonication. 
     
     
         35 . A method for precision cleaning of one or more parts, comprising:
 connecting a plurality of inlets to an elongated pipe tubing at a proximal end thereof via an intersection, wherein the plurality of inlets comprises at least a first inlet and a second inlet;   configuring the first inlet for receiving a gas therethrough;   configuring the second inlet for receiving a solvent therethrough;   providing a gas source for supplying the gas, wherein the gas source is connected to the first inlet via a first tubing;   providing a solvent source for supplying the solvent, wherein the solvent source is connected to the second inlet via a second tubing;   placing the one or more parts for cleaning inside the elongated pipe tubing at a distal end thereof;   attaching a component retainer configured with openings at an outlet thereof to the elongated pipe tubing at the distal end of the elongated pipe tubing such that the one or more parts are contained in the elongated pipe tubing and particles are allowed to pass through the openings of the outlet; and   exposing the one or more parts to a directed variable pressure and flow rate of the gas and/or the solvent, intermittently or simultaneously.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 removing the component retainer from the distal end of the elongated pipe tubing after cleaning is completed; and   removing the one or more parts from the elongated pipe tubing.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 sealing the one or more parts in the elongated pipe tubing after cleaning is completed; and   storing or packing the one or more parts.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 providing a detergent or surfactant source for supplying a detergent or surfactant, wherein the detergent or surfactant source is connected to a third inlet via a third tubing.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising configuring the plurality of inlets with at least one valve or orifice to regulate back pressure during cleaning. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the solvent is provided at a certain pressure and flow rate into the intersection with the gas, thereby forming a pressure washing chamber. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein exposing the one or more parts to the directed variable pressure and flow rate of the gas and/or the solvent comprises:
 feeding the solvent pushed with the gas at a certain pressure and flow rate into the intersection, wherein the gas triggers surges in the solvent and forms turbulence for distribution of the detergent or surfactant, and wherein the gas causes particle liberation and flow over the parts during cleaning.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein exposing the one or more parts to the directed variable pressure and flow rate of the gas and/or the solvent comprises:
 configuring the plurality of inlets to be switched from detergent to rinse to purge for an integrated cleaning method that washes, rinses, pressure washes and dries.