Method of assembling multiple port assemblies in a spherical cavitation chamber

Abstract

A method of assembling multiple port assemblies in a single cavitation chamber, typically a spherical chamber, is provided. The method is comprised of the steps of boring a first cone-shaped port in a cavitation chamber wall of one piece of the cavitation chamber; locating a mounting ring with a cone-shaped external surface corresponding to the first cone-shaped port within the cavitation chamber prior to assembling the multiple pieces that comprise the cavitation chamber; assembling the multiple cavitation chamber pieces together to form the cavitation chamber; boring a second, smaller cone-shaped port in the cavitation chamber wall; inserting a first cone-shaped member corresponding to the second, smaller cone-shaped port into the cavitation chamber through the first, larger cone-shaped port; positioning the first cone-shaped member in the second, smaller cone-shaped port; inserting a second cone-shaped member corresponding to the internal cone-shaped surface of the mounting ring through the first, larger cone-shaped port; positioning the mounting ring within the first, larger cone-shaped port; and positioning the second member into the mounting ring. The second, smaller cone-shaped port can be bored before or after cavitation chamber assembly. The smallest diameter of the first port is larger than the largest diameter of either member, thus insuring that the members can be inserted into the cavitation chamber through the port. The first and second members can be windows, plugs, gas feed-throughs, liquid feed-throughs, mechanical feed-throughs, sensors, sensor couplers, or transducer couplers. To aid the assembly process, specialized tools can be used to position the first and second members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 926,602, filed Aug. 25, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to sonoluminescence and, more particularly, to a method of constructing a port assembly in a sonoluminescence cavitation chamber. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Sonoluminescence is a well-known phenomena discovered in the 1930's in which light is generated when a liquid is cavitated. Although a variety of techniques for cavitating the liquid are known (e.g., spark discharge, laser pulse, flowing the liquid through a Venturi tube), one of the most common techniques is through the application of high intensity sound waves. [0004] In essence, the cavitation process consists of three stages; bubble formation, growth and subsequent collapse. The bubble or bubbles cavitated during this process absorb the applied energy, for example sound energy, and then release the en...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for assembling multiple port assemblies in a single cavitation chamber. The method involves boring two cone-shaped ports in the cavitation chamber wall, locating a mounting ring with a cone-shaped external surface within the chamber prior to assembly, and assembling the multiple cavitation chamber pieces together. The method also involves inserting two cone-shaped members into the cavitation chamber through the larger cone-shaped port, positioning the mounting ring within the larger cone-shaped port, and positioning the second member into the mounting ring. The method can be used with various types of port assemblies such as windows, plugs, gas feed-throughs, liquid feed-throughs, mechanical feed-throughs, sensors, sensor couplers, or transducer couplers. The use of specialized tools and malleable materials can facilitate the assembly process. The technical effects of the invention include improved assembly efficiency and reliability of the cavitation chamber.

Problems solved by technology

Although it is generally recognized that during the collapse of a cavitating bubble extremely high temperature plasmas are developed, leading to the observed sonoluminescence effect, many aspects of the phenomena have not yet been characterized.

Similarly, although the specification discloses the use of a tube to distribute H-isotopes into the host material during cavitation, the specification does not disclose how the tube is to be sealed as it passes through the chamber / housing walls.

The disclosed chamber includes multiple transparent ports, for example made of germanium or sodium chloride, but does not disclose how the ports are fabricated or installed within the chamber.

Such a chamber, however, provides a challenge as to port mounting, especially if the smooth inside surface and the high pressure aspects of the chamber are to be maintained.

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