Christopher R Platt

US Patent:

48327530, May 23, 1989

Filed:

May 21, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/053202

Inventors:

Roger L. Cherry - West Linn OR
Joseph J. Burke - Portland OR
Christopher W. Platt - Portland OR
Craig H. Cowles - Tigard OR

Assignee:

Tempress Measurement & Control Corporation - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

B05B 500

US Classification:

134 2218

Abstract:

A system for high purity cleaning of components includes a cleaning chamber which is maintained at a pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure. A gas-glide transporter extends through the cleaning chamber and includes a pair of slightly tilted elongate tubes having a plurality of tiny holes therein. The tubes communicate with a source of filtered pressurized nitrogen. A tray for carrying components to be cleaned is adapted to fit on the tubes and slide down the transporter on a frictionless cushion of nitrogen. Components are cleaned of very small particles by using a high pressure spray of individual droplets of solvent which knock the particles off the component to be cleaned. The particles, solvent and solvent vapor are swept away from the component being cleaned by a stream of dry, filtered air. The cleaning chamber group includes a control panel which controls solvent supply and recovery modules. The cleaning chamber group is modular so that it may be placed in a Class 100 environment.