IP Library Granted Patent US 11,193,513
Granted Patent B2
US 11,193,513 · App. 16/515,885 · Granted Dec 7, 2021

Efficient mechanical generation of cavitation in liquids

Inventors: David Staack (College Station, TX); Xin Tang (College Station, TX)
Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
F15D1/007
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,193,513
App. No.
16/515,885
Granted
Dec 7, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a cavitation generation device that includes a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and a propus socket having a channel. The propus socket is rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, and the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position. The cavitation generation device can also include a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inducing a cavitation including biasing a dactyl plunger via a torsion spring, and rotating the dactyl plunger, by action of the torsion spring, into a propus socket. The propus socket includes a nozzle-shaped channel. The method further includes ejecting a socket cavity volume through the nozzle-shaped channel thereby inducing a cavitation event.

Claims (35)

1. A cavitation generation device comprising:

a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position;

a propus socket comprising a channel, the propus socket rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, wherein the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position;

a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket;

a dactyl gear operatively coupled to the dactyl plunger;

a pinion gear disposed on a drive shaft, the pinion gear being rotatably engaged with the dactyl gear;

a motor operatively coupled to a gearbox, the gearbox being operatively coupled to the drive shaft so as to impart rotational motion to the drive shaft and the pinion gear; and

wherein rotation of the pinion gear induces periodic actuation of the dactyl gear and the dactyl plunger.

2. The cavitation generation device of claim 1 , comprising:

a base having a first end opposite a second end;

the first end extending upward perpendicular from the base and the second end extending upward perpendicular from the base, wherein the first end extends higher than the second end; and

a bearing mount coupled to the second end, the bearing mount comprising a flanged ball bearing assembly, wherein the dactyl plunger is rotatable about the axis formed by the flanged ball bearing assembly.

3. The cavitation generation device of claim 2 , comprising a clutch attached to an upper portion of the first end.

4. The cavitation generation device of claim 1 , comprising:

a first pulley and a second pulley, the first pulley rotatably coupled to the gearbox; and

the drive shaft received in a central axis of the second pulley, the second pulley being rotatable about a same axis as the pinion gear.

5. The cavitation generation device of claim 1 , wherein the channel is a nozzle-shaped channel.

6. The cavitation generation device of claim 1 , comprising an angle between a channel direction and a rotational plane of the dactyl plunger.

7. The cavitation generation device of claim 6 , wherein the angle is 25°.

8. The cavitation generation device of claim 1 , comprising a propus socket cavity volume ejectable through the channel.

9. A cavitation generation device comprising:

a base having a first end opposite a second end;

the first end extending upward perpendicular from the base and the second end extending upward perpendicular from the base, wherein the first end extends higher than the second end;

a bearing mount coupled to the second end, the bearing mount comprising a flanged ball bearing assembly;

a dactyl plunger rotatable about the flanged ball bearing assembly between an open position and a closed position;

a propus socket comprising a channel, the propus socket rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, wherein the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position;

a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket;

a dactyl gear operatively coupled to the dactyl plunger;

a pinion gear disposed on a drive shaft, the pinion gear being rotatably engaged with the dactyl gear;

a motor operatively coupled to a gearbox, the gearbox being operatively coupled to the drive shaft so as to impart rotational motion to the drive shaft and the pinion gear; and

wherein rotation of the pinion gear induces periodic actuation of the dactyl gear and the dactyl plunger.

10. The cavitation generation device of claim 9 , wherein the channel is a nozzle-shaped channel.

11. The cavitation generation device of claim 9 , comprising an angle between a channel direction and a rotational plane of the dactyl plunger.

12. The cavitation generation device of claim 11 , wherein the angle is 25°.

13. The cavitation generation device of claim 9 , comprising a propus socket cavity volume ejectable through the channel.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2019
From: STAACK, DAVID; TANG, XIN
To: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Reel/Frame 050948/0801 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Nov 7, 2019
From: TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 050966/0093 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62699841 · Jul 18, 2018
Related Publication 20200040921A1 · Feb 6, 2020