A method of detecting an effluent level in an aircraft lavatory holding tank and a device for practicing the method. The device uses electrodynamic forces of different values generated by an electro-impulse solenoid to determine whether a detector is contaminated, to dislodge contaminants, and to measure the fluid level in the holding tank when the detector is clean enough to produce an accurate reading.

Self cleaning liquid level detector

A system for monitoring relative density of bubbles or particles suspended in a fluid comprises a light transmitter (42) and light sensor (46) and an electro-acoustic transducer (70) for cleaning light passing surfaces (48,52) in contact with said fluid. The system may be used in conjunction with use of a coolant fluid (15) in a method for casting metal ingots (16). Also provided is a method and apparatus for continuously monitoring the cooling capacity of a liquid coolant (15) containing gas bubbles. The apparatus includes a measuring means (40) for measuring the number density of the bubbles to infer the heat transfer characteristics of the liquid coolant, a control means (39) for varying the amount of gas in the liquid coolant so that the number density is within a predetermined range and an electro-acoustic transducer (70) in fluid contact with the liquid coolant (15) capable of generating waves of sufficient intensity to cause cavitation in the liquid coolant in the area of the measuring means. In a preferred embodiment the electro-acoustic transducer (70) is an ultrasonic horn.

Method and apparatus for controlling the heat transfer of liquid coolant in continuous casting

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for integrating optical interfacial elements with a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical interfacial elements may be integrated with a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the optical interfacial elements and/or combining optical and acoustic measurements made by the integrated system for analysis purposes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the optical interfacial elements may be integrated with the acoustic horn.

High power acoustic resonator with integrated optical interfacial elements

A cleaning device for a probe needle of a probe card rarely causing abrasion and deformation of the tip of a probe needle and capable of improving a probe needle life as well as a washing liquid used therefor are obtained. The tip of a probe needle of a probe card is immersed in a washing liquid for a probe needle of a probe card which includes an aqueous solution containing phosphoric acid or an aqueous solution containing chromic acid anhydride and phosphoric acid. While the tip of the probe needle is immersed in the washing liquid, the washing liquid is vibrated by a vibration generating member.

Cleaning device for probe needle of probe card and washing liquid used therefor

A stripping analysis method comprises a preelectrolysis step during which liquid to be analyzed is introduced into a measurement cell at a pulsating rate, a working electrode is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency, and the voltage potential between the working electrode and a reference electrode is adjusted to a level which allows the substances to be determined to be deposited on the working electrode. After the preelectrolysis step is a stripping step during which the voltage potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is scanned through the potential range where the substances to be determined are dissolved back to the liquid and current is measured while the liquid in the measurement cell remains essentially undisturbed. The method also comprises an elimination step during which the voltage potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is adjusted to a level at which the working electrode is regenerated. The products of the measurement step are removed from the cell by vibrating the working electrode at an ultrasonic frequency and thereby disturbing the liquid in the cell, and introducing liquid into the cell at a non-pulsating rate and thereby displacing liquid from the cell.

Voltammetric method of measuring

A method for cleaning the sensing probes in a water quality momitoring apparatus, when the probes become coated with a build-up of slime, algae or particulate matter, which comprises the steps of continuously removing particulate matter from the body of the liquid, moving a part of the body of liquid into a confined zone surrounding the probe and applying ultrasonic energy to the confined liquid to remove deposits of foreign matter from the surface of the probe and the liquid confining surface areas.

Jerome J. Kurland

Papers

Automatic cleaning of sensing probes