ULTRASOUND TREATMENT DEVICE FOR TREATING A COMPONENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an ultrasonic treatment device for treating at least one component immersed in a liquid treatment medium by means of pressure wave-induced cavitation according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising at least one receiving trough containing a liquid treatment medium, which includes at least one inner surface bounding the liquid treatment medium and an outer surface arranged on the opposite side, and into which the at least one component can be immersed in the liquid treatment medium, with ultrasonic generating means arranged in operative connection to at least one sound-emitting surface, with electrical control means for supplying and / or controlling the ultrasonic generating means to generate pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium,to treat at least one component immersed in the liquid treatment medium by means of pressure wave-induced cavitation and with a sensor element for at least indirectly detecting the cavitations induced in the liquid treatment medium.

[0002] Ultrasonic treatment devices that enable the mechanical cleaning and / or surface treatment of a component immersed in a liquid treatment medium based on ultrasound-induced cavitation are well known. The known treatment devices comprise a receiving tank containing a liquid bath of a liquid treatment medium, wherein the at least one component to be treated can be immersed manually or automatically by means of a handling device into the liquid bath. After the at least one component is completely immersed in the liquid treatment medium, ultrasonic generating means are activated by electrical control means and controlled in such a way that ultrasonic waves propagate in the liquid treatment medium.The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator propagate through the liquid treatment medium as pressure waves, resulting in frequency-dependent overpressure and underpressure zones. This leads to the formation of gas bubbles and cavities in the liquid treatment medium, a process known as cavitation, which can be used for cleaning and / or surface treatment of the component. Ultrasonic waves with a frequency range between 20 kHz and 1 MHz are suitable for efficient treatment.

[0003] Cavitation can be transient or stable, with the transitions between the two being gradual. Transient, or hard, cavitation occurs when the static pressure in the low-pressure areas falls below the vaporization pressure of the liquid treatment medium. This results in the formation of transient gas bubbles with a high erosive effect, which then implode abruptly in the subsequent rising pressure phase, potentially generating pressure surges of up to 1000 bar. Furthermore, local flows, known as jets, are also generated with such energy that even metallic components can be eroded.

[0004] The treatment process of the component can be further influenced by the composition of the liquid treatment medium. In addition to water as the base liquid, other active ingredients, such as a chemically active cleaning and / or treatment substance, can also be added.

[0005] Furthermore, the formation of cavitations depends on both the temperature and the gas content of the liquid treatment medium. Since excessive cavitation can negatively affect the component being treated and / or the receiving tank, a controlled treatment process is necessary.

[0006] Prior art methods for determining the intensity of cavitation during a treatment process are generally known and based on a secondary effect. These methods, particularly in a preliminary test run, determine the mechanical damage by summing the effects over time on an aluminum foil clamped in a frame. However, this method is complex, especially due to the additional test run, allows only a rough characterization of the treatment process, and also leads to contamination of the liquid treatment medium. Furthermore, such summation measurement methods cannot be used to directly influence the treatment process.

[0007] Alternatively, it is also known from the prior art to manually detect the ultrasound waves (pressure waves) propagating in the liquid treatment medium by acoustic measurement using a portable hydrophone or equivalent sensor element, which allows for the indirect determination of the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium. During the treatment process, the portable hydrophone is moved to different positions in the receiving bath by appropriately trained personnel to detect the generated pressure waves in the liquid treatment medium, thus allowing conclusions to be drawn about the intensity of the cavitation. A disadvantage of this manual measurement method, which captures the primary effect, is the measurement inaccuracies resulting from the manual positioning of the hydrophone in the treatment bath.Furthermore, the receiving tray is not freely accessible in many ultrasound treatment devices known from the prior art, which makes such a procedure difficult or completely impossible.

[0008] WO 2018 / 093 958 A1 teaches a method for removing material residues from an object produced using a 3D printing process by means of ultrasound. The vibration excitation of the component to be cleaned is monitored by sensors, and the emitted or coupled ultrasonic vibrations are adjusted in amplitude and frequency depending on the excitation, such that a resonant vibration of the component is achieved.

[0009] DE 103 41 274 A1 relates to a method and a device for the design of an ultrasonic cleaning system, wherein it is provided that a measuring probe is positioned and / or can be positioned within a cleaning bath in the area of ​​the respective measuring point via a positioning device.

[0010] DE 10 2013 014 539 A1 discloses a device for measuring cavitation in a liquid medium using two sound pressure sensors that detect collapsing cavitation bubbles with varying intensity depending on the distance to the sensors.

[0011] US patent 4,442,852 A discloses a cleaning bath with a sound transducer on a bottom side of the cleaning bath, wherein recesses in the bottom side promote the propagation of ultrasonic waves within the cleaning bath.

[0012] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the invention aims to improve a generic ultrasonic treatment device with regard to control and regulation in order to optimize the treatment process of a component.

[0013] With regard to the ultrasound treatment device, the problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The scope of the invention includes all combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims, and / or the figures.

[0015] The invention is based on the idea of ​​arranging a sensor element designed for at least indirect detection of cavitations in a liquid treatment medium in a fixed position relative to the receiving tray containing the liquid treatment medium and / or to ultrasound generating means and / or to at least one sound-emitting surface in operative communication with the ultrasound generating means, in order to at least indirectly detect the cavitation during a treatment process of a component to be treated (item to be treated) for surface treatment and / or cleaning.

[0016] In a preferred design, the sensor element is designed as a hydrophone to detect the alternating pressure (pressure waves) of the sound waves propagating in the treatment bath at a fixed and / or constant position in the receiving tray.

[0017] In this context, a further development involves utilizing a piezoelectric effect in the sensor element to convert the pressure waves of the sound field within the liquid treatment medium into an equivalent electrical voltage, which can then be measured. Alternatively, the sensor element can also be designed as a fiber-optic hydrophone, whereby the refractive index of the fiber is pressure-dependent, thus enabling the pressure within the liquid treatment medium to be measured using the sensor element.

[0018] Alternatively, an embodiment is also advantageous in which the sensor element detects cavitation noise in the liquid treatment medium. This method takes advantage of the fact that, after cavitation forms in the liquid treatment medium, i.e., immediately before the collapse (implosion) of the gas bubbles, an increased subharmonic develops, which can be measured. This effect also allows for the measurement of cavitation, although a detailed statement about the intensity of the cavitation is not possible.

[0019] In summary, the invention provides for an ultrasonic treatment device comprising a receiving trough containing a liquid treatment medium and equipped with a stationary sensor element. The sensor element is arranged in a fixed position in or on the receiving trough and / or is fixed relative to the ultrasonic generating means and / or the sound-emitting surface in order to detect, at least indirectly, the cavitations forming in the liquid treatment medium due to the generated ultrasonic waves. This has the advantage that the cavitations forming in the liquid treatment medium can always be detected, at least indirectly, at the same position by the sensor element during the treatment process. Furthermore, the measurement process can be carried out continuously during the treatment process, in order to directly influence the generated cavitations.

[0020] According to the invention, the sensor element is formed as an integral part of the receiving tray by means of a hard and / or low-damping connection. According to the invention, this connection is designed as an opening or recess provided in the receiving tray, wherein the sensor element is partially received by the receiving tray, i.e., only an end face of the sensor element comes into contact with the liquid treatment medium.

[0021] According to the invention, an embodiment in which the sensor element comprises a sound-receiving surface that is at least partially formed by the receiving basin is also advantageous in this context. This enables a simple, robust, and reliable implementation of the stationary sensor element. Furthermore, the recess and / or the opening reduces the mechanical stress on the sensor element due to induced cavitation and / or the chemical stress from the liquid treatment medium, since, according to the invention, only one end face of the sensor element comes into direct contact with the liquid treatment medium. This further prevents and / or at least delays damage or failure of the sensor element that would negatively affect the measurement result.

[0022] In an embodiment not covered by the invention, the sensor element is materially bonded to the outside of the receiving tray, thereby enabling a damping-free coupling of the sensor element via at least a portion of the receiving tray. This material-bonded bonding can be achieved by an adhesive and / or vulcanized connection. Alternatively, a connection of equivalent effect is also advantageous if a certain hardness and / or strength is achieved in the cured state to enable a damping-free or at least low-damping coupling of the sensor element to the receiving tray.A key advantage in this context is that the sensor element does not come into contact with the liquid treatment medium. This completely prevents damage to or negative impact on the sensor element caused by the liquid treatment medium or by cavitation generated within it. A suitably designed sensor element enables reliable and cost-effective implementation, as the influence of the liquid treatment medium and / or ultrasound-induced cavitation does not need to be considered when selecting materials. Furthermore, there is no risk of leakage in the receiving tray at a penetration point intended for the sensor element, particularly through a porous sealing element, which would result in a loss of the liquid treatment medium.

[0023] In a further development, the sensor element is provided to include piezoelectric means, and it is preferred that the piezoelectric means are designed to be oscillating for detecting the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium. A piezoelectric effect can be used to convert the alternating pressure generated in the liquid treatment medium by the pressure waves into an equivalent alternating electrical voltage, which can then be measured and evaluated. This enables a cost-effective implementation of the sensor element with low maintenance requirements.In this context, it is further preferred if the sensor element includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample the analog output signal generated by the sensor element, in particular an output voltage signal, and convert it into a digital measured value, thereby enabling reliable transmission of the digital measured value to a communication partner at the end. Furthermore, it is advantageous to implement the ADC in a standardized component package, which allows for low acquisition costs, as established and proven technology can be used. Moreover, communication lines for transmitting digitized signals are significantly more robust against interfering interference (especially electromagnetic fields), thus reducing the error and failure rate.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the ultrasound generating means and the sensor element are formed by a single functional unit. Such an integrated design is made possible by a clocked operation of the functional unit with two operating modes, wherein in a first operating mode ultrasound waves are generated and transmitted to the liquid treatment medium via a designated (sound-emitting) surface, and in a second operating mode ultrasound waves in the liquid treatment medium are detected by means of the same (sound-receiving) surface, which are then evaluated using suitable measurement techniques.

[0025] During operation of the ultrasonic treatment device, both operating modes can be activated alternately, and a corresponding time weighting between the two modes can be advantageously taken into account as needed. This allows for cost advantages, particularly through a reduced number of individual components. Furthermore, this leads to reduced assembly effort. In this context, it is especially advantageous if the functional unit is materially bonded to the outside of the receiving tray, whereby the sound-emitting or sound-absorbing surface is formed at least partially by the receiving tray.

[0026] Further development envisages that the ultrasonic treatment device include at least two sensor elements in order to determine, at least indirectly, the sound-induced cavitations in the liquid treatment medium at two spaced-apart positions in the treatment bath. Suitable evaluation allows for higher measurement resolution, since the at least two sensor elements also enable area and / or volume measurements.

[0027] Further development envisages that the sensor element or the two sensor elements are connected to evaluation means by means of data transmission means in order to evaluate the data determined by means of the sensor elements, to draw conclusions about the pressure waves forming in the liquid treatment medium or to determine the (ultrasound-)induced cavitations.

[0028] Further development envisages that the ultrasonic treatment device includes control means that are operatively connected to the evaluation means via data transmission. Since the control means are designed to actuate and / or influence the electrical control means, the pressure waves or sound-induced cavitations forming in the liquid treatment medium can be directly influenced. In other words, this creates a closed control loop in which the (mechanical) treatment process carried out by means of the induced cavitations can be continuously monitored and directly influenced.

[0029] It is possible to influence the treatment process by means of certain control variables, such as the frequency of the ultrasound waves generated by the ultrasound generating means, their amplitude and / or frequency modulation, or also by means of the temperature of the liquid treatment medium, the chemical composition of the liquid treatment medium and / or by means of the gas content in the liquid treatment medium.

[0030] The control means are further developed such that, depending on the measured values ​​acquired by the sensor elements and / or the measurement data determined therefrom and / or user interaction, at least one process can be triggered and / or influenced and / or terminated. Within the scope of the invention, a process is understood in particular to mean the generation of cavitation with a specific intensity. Alternatively, a process can also be realized by the insertion and / or removal of the component to be treated from the liquid treatment medium by an automated handling device (robot arm). Furthermore, a treatment phase in which the frequency of the generated ultrasound waves is varied over a defined range can also be understood as a process.

[0031] In a further development of the invention, the control means are designed to control peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are preferably a speed-controlled feed pump for conveying the liquid treatment medium, and more preferably a cooling and / or heating device for temperature-controlling the liquid treatment medium. Furthermore, the peripheral devices can also be implemented as a handling device designed for immersing and removing at least one component from the treatment bath. In a further development, the peripheral devices can also be implemented as automatically operated cover devices for the receiving tank to close the receiving tank before the start of a treatment process.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic treatment device for recording and storing operating parameters comprises a logging unit with storage means, which is operatively connected to all sensor elements and / or to the ultrasonic generating means and / or to the peripheral means. This enables a comprehensive and customizable evaluation process of the treatment procedure in order to provide for further optimizations. Furthermore, the storage means enable comprehensive documentation of a treatment procedure, which serves as proof of quality in industrial cleaning or allows for subsequent analysis of the treatment procedure, in particular to identify the cause of certain problems and / or effects.

[0033] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a housing element made of stainless steel and / or ceramic. Such a material selection offers the advantage that not only is low-damping coupling achievable due to the high material hardness of the housing element, but also that the housing element is robust against the potentially chemically active liquid treatment medium and / or against mechanical stress from cavitations induced in the liquid treatment medium. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the housing element includes level sensing means for measuring the fill level of the liquid treatment medium in the receiving trough and / or state sensing means for measuring the temperature and / or electrical conductivity of the liquid treatment medium.This advantageous design of the stationary sensor element allows for further optimization of the component's treatment through the additional measured values ​​acquired.

[0034] It is particularly preferred if the receiving tank of the ultrasonic treatment device has a covering material, and it is further preferred if the closed and / or open state of the covering material can be detected by means of a sensor unit. This prevents, firstly, the unintentional removal and / or addition of the component to be treated into the treatment bath. Furthermore, the covering material also provides a safety precaution, as it prevents the component from being removed from the liquid treatment medium without authorization before the completion of a full treatment process.

[0035] In a further development according to the invention, the stationary sensor element and / or the evaluation means for acquiring and processing calibration data comprise calibration means. In this context, it is further provided that the calibration data are determined by a measurement carried out in the liquid treatment medium using a mobile hydrophone or equivalent sensor element, wherein the transmission of the acquired measured values ​​to the calibration means is enabled by means of communication, in particular wired communication means. Alternatively, it is also advantageous if the acquired measured values ​​and / or the calibration data derived therefrom are manually transmitted by measurement personnel to the calibration means for the calibration of the stationary sensor element, in particular via provided input and / or connection means.

[0036] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

[0037] They show in: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the ultrasound treatment device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another ultrasound treatment device according to the invention comprising ultrasound generating means and a specially designed sensor element arranged stationary relative to the receiving trough for the indirect detection of the sound-induced cavitations, and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further development of the ultrasound treatment device according to the invention, wherein the sensor element and the ultrasound generating means are realized as an integral functional unit in a monolithic component body.

[0038] Identical elements and elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0039] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an ultrasonic treatment device 1 designed according to the invention for treating at least one component 3 immersed in a liquid treatment medium 2, which is not in the Fig. 1The illustrated ultrasonic treatment device 1 comprises a receiving tray 4, which receives a treatment bath consisting of a liquid treatment medium 2. The receiving tray 4 has an inner surface 5 that defines the liquid treatment medium 2 and an outer surface 6 located on the side facing away from the inner surface. Furthermore, the ultrasonic treatment device 1 comprises two-part ultrasonic generating means 7, which are arranged in the bottom region of the receiving tray 4 and on a side surface of the receiving tray 4, which is why they are shown in the perspective view in the Fig. 1 are concealed by the cladding elements and are therefore only schematically represented by dashed lines in the Fig. 1The ultrasound generating means 7 are each in operative communication with a sound-radiating surface 8 and can be supplied and controlled by electrical control means 9 such that ultrasound waves propagate as pressure waves in the liquid treatment medium 2. The pressure waves create areas in which the static pressure of the liquid treatment medium 2 is undershot, which leads to the formation of cavitation. This cavitation implodes under the influence of the rising pressure, thereby enabling the mechanical cleaning and / or surface treatment of the at least one component 3 immersed in the liquid treatment medium 2.

[0040] Furthermore, the ultrasonic treatment device 1 comprises a sensor element 10 for at least indirectly detecting the cavitations induced in the liquid treatment medium 2 by means of the two-part sound-generating means 7, wherein, according to the invention, the sensor element 10, comprising a housing element 17 made of steel and / or ceramic, is arranged in a fixed position relative to the receiving tray 4 by means of a low-damping connection 11. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic generating means 7, and thus also the sensor element 10, are also arranged in a fixed position relative to the two sound-emitting surfaces 8 and the receiving tray 4. The sensor element 10 further comprises calibration means 25, including storage means, for influencing the measured values ​​acquired by the sensor element 10 based on calibration data stored in the storage means by measurement personnel, which enables an improvement in the measurement.

[0041] During operation, at least one component 3 to be treated is first immersed in the treatment bath until it is completely surrounded by the liquid treatment medium 2. This can be done manually or using a handling device not shown graphically.

[0042] After the complete immersion of at least one component 3, the receiving tray 4 is closed by means of provided covering means 23, which prevents unauthorized removal of at least one component 3 during an active treatment process.

[0043] To start the treatment process, the electrical control means 9 are energized and thus activated in order to generate ultrasonic waves by means of the ultrasonic generating means 7. These ultrasonic waves can be coupled into the liquid treatment medium 2 via the sound-emitting surface 8. The generated ultrasonic waves penetrate the liquid treatment medium 2 in the form of pressure waves, resulting in the formation of areas with different pressure conditions. In the areas of low pressure, gas bubbles, known as cavitation, can form. These bubbles implode as a result of the rising pressure, generating considerable force. This effect enables the mechanical treatment of the at least one component 3, as it allows dirt particles and / or film residues to be removed from the surface of the at least one component 3.

[0044] The sensor element 10, which according to the invention is fixed to the receiving trough 4, allows the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium 2 to be continuously detected, thereby enabling conclusions to be drawn about the number and intensity of the cavitations forming. This makes it possible to monitor the generated cavitations during the treatment process. Furthermore, this has the advantage that damage to the at least one component 3 due to excessive cavitation intensity can be prevented.

[0045] In the Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of another ultrasonic treatment device 1. The receiving tray 4, containing the liquid treatment medium 2, defines the treatment bath with its inner surface 5. The component 3 to be treated is completely immersed in the treatment bath, thus being fully enclosed by the liquid treatment medium 2. The ultrasonic generating elements 7 are arranged on the underside of the receiving tray 4 and are operatively connected to a sound-emitting surface 8. The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating elements 7 via the electrical control means 9 are coupled into the liquid treatment medium 2 through the ultrasonic generating elements 7.

[0046] Furthermore, the Fig. 2The covering means 23 are used to completely or partially close the receiving trough 4. The sensor element 10 is bonded to the outer surface 6 of the receiving trough 4 on one side surface. The sensor element 10 comprises piezoelectric means 12, which are designed to detect the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium 2 and convert them into a voltage signal that can be evaluated. The voltage signal can be read out at a designated tap 13 by means of data transmission means 14. In this context, it is advantageous if the sensor element 10 includes an analog-to-digital converter 15, thereby enabling digital data transmission via the means of data transmission 14.This offers the advantage that measured values ​​acquired by the sensor element 10 can be digitized and transferred to the evaluation unit 18 in order to detect and / or determine the pressure waves and thus also the induced cavitations that form in the liquid treatment medium 2. A logging unit 22 is assigned to the evaluation unit 18, which includes storage media 21 and thus enables the acquired measured values ​​to be securely stored for documentation and evaluation purposes. Furthermore, it is also possible to store data acquired and determined by the evaluation unit 18 in the logging unit 22 using storage media 21 for verification purposes and / or to make this data available via a suitable interface.

[0047] In the Fig. 3 A schematic representation of another preferred ultrasound treatment device 1 is shown. The one in the Fig. 3The illustrated ultrasound treatment device 1 comprises a receiving tray 4 for receiving a treatment bath made of the liquid treatment medium 2, into which at least one component 3 can be immersed.

[0048] Furthermore, the information in the Fig. 3 The illustrated embodiment of the ultrasonic treatment device 1 comprises ultrasonic generating means 7, which are arranged in the bottom region of the receiving trough 4 and are operatively connected to a sound-radiating surface 8, which is connected to the receiving trough 4 via a bonded connection with low attenuation. Furthermore, each ultrasonic generating means 7 is assigned an electrical control means 9 such that the generated ultrasonic waves propagate in the liquid treatment medium 2 in the form of pressure waves.

[0049] Furthermore, in the Fig. 3In the illustrated embodiment of the ultrasonic treatment device 1, the sensor element 10 and the ultrasonic generating means 7 are designed as a functional unit 16. Thus, the ultrasonic treatment device 1 has two sensor elements 10, which leads to a significant improvement in the acquisition and evaluation of the measured values ​​acquired by the sensor elements 10 for the determination of cavitation.

[0050] The two functional units 16 allow for a significant reduction in the number of component parts of the ultrasound treatment device 1 according to the invention. This is made possible by the fact that the functional unit 16 has two operating modes. In the first operating mode, the functional unit 16 operates in accordance with the ultrasound generating means 7, whereby ultrasound waves can be generated by the piezo-electronic means 12 arranged in the functional unit 16. These ultrasound waves can be coupled into the liquid treatment medium 2 and propagate there as pressure waves to cause the formation of cavitations for the treatment process to be carried out.

[0051] In the second operating mode of the functional unit 16, the sound-emitting surface 8 is not actively excited to generate ultrasound; instead, the sound-emitting surface 8 is repurposed as a sound-receiving surface in order to detect and measure the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium 2 using the piezoelectric means 12. For this purpose, evaluation means 18 are provided, which are connected to the two functional units 16 via independently designed data transmission means 14.

[0052] Furthermore, the information contained in the Fig. 3 The illustrated ultrasound treatment device 1 includes control means 19, which are in operative communication with the evaluation means 18, whereby it is possible to influence the electrical control means 9 by means of the control means 19 in such a way that the ultrasound waves generated by means of the ultrasound generating means 7 can be influenced.

[0053] This allows for the, in the Fig. 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the treatment process is monitored and optimized, whereby the generation of the ultrasound waves can be influenced in such a way as to enable an optimal treatment process. Furthermore, the control means 19 are designed to start and / or monitor further processes, particularly depending on the measured values ​​acquired by the sensor elements 10 and / or user interaction, thereby further improving the treatment process and also ensuring the best possible monitoring.

[0054] Finally, the control means 19 are designed to control additional peripheral means 20, for example, a speed-controlled pump and / or a heating and / or cooling unit for the liquid treatment medium. Alternatively, the cover means 23 can be secured against unauthorized operation by a locking unit operated by the control means 19. Furthermore, the cover means 23 are designed to include a sensor unit 24 that allows the open and / or closed state of the receiving tank 4 to be measured and monitored. This enables comprehensive documentation of the treatment process using the logging means 22, which allows the recorded measured values ​​and the determined data to be securely stored in the storage means 19.

[0055] In summary, the ultrasound treatment device according to the invention enables the optimization of a treatment process in a surprisingly simple manner, since it can not only be continuously monitored by means of stationary measuring technology, but also directly influenced and, in particular, optimized. Furthermore, this enables, in particular, seamless monitoring with corresponding documentation of the treatment process, which, through subsequent evaluation, leads to a significant improvement of the treatment process using the ultrasound treatment device designed according to the invention. Reference symbol list

[0056] 1 Ultrasound treatment device 2 Liquid treatment medium 3 Component 4 Receiving tray 5 Inner side 6 Outer side 7 Ultrasound generating device 8 Sound-radiating surface 9 Electrical control device 10 Sensor element 11 Low-attenuation connection 12 Piezoelectric device 13 Tap 14 Data transmission device 15 A / D converter 16 Functional unit 17 Housing element 18 Evaluation device 19 Control device 20 Peripheral device 21 Storage device 22 Logging unit 23 Covering device 24 Sensor unit 25 Calibration device

Claims

1. An ultrasonic treatment device (1) for treating at least one component (3) immersed in a liquid treatment medium (2) by cavitation induced by pressure waves, the ultrasonic treatment device (1) comprising: at least one receptacle (4) containing a liquid treatment medium (2), the receptacle (4) comprising an inner side (5), which confines the liquid treatment medium (2), and an outer side (6), which is disposed on the side facing away therefrom, and serving to immerse the at least one component (3) in the liquid treatment medium (2); ultrasound generation means (7) operatively connected to at least one sound-emitting surface (8); electrical control means (9) for supplying and / or actuating the ultrasound generation means (7) to cause it to generate pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium (2) to treat the at least one component (3) immersed in the liquid treatment medium (2) by cavitation induced by the pressure waves; and a sensor element (10) for at least indirectly detecting the cavitations sonically induced in the liquid treatment medium (2), the sensor element (10) being disposed in a fixed place relative to the receptacle (4) and / or the ultrasound generation means (7) and / or the sound-emitting surface (8), characterized in that the sensor element (10) is an integral part of the receptacle (4) by being connected thereto through a hard and / or low-damping joint (11), the joint (11) being a through hole provided in the receptacle (4) or a depression, the sensor element (10) being partially housed by the receptacle (4), i.e., only an end face of the sensor element (10) coming into contact with the liquid treatment medium (2), and the sensor element (10) comprising a sound-receiving surface formed at least in part by the receptacle (4).

2. The ultrasonic treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor element (10) comprises piezo-electronic means (12), the piezo-electronic means (12) preferably being oscillatory for detecting the pressure waves propagating in the liquid treatment medium (2).

3. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at a tap (13), the sensor element (10) provides a sensor output signal, in particular a sensor output signal digitally readable by data transmission means (14), and / or the sensor element (10) comprises an AD converter (15) for digitalizing an analog measurement signal.

4. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ultrasound generation means (7) and the sensor element (10) are a functional unit (16).

5. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ultrasonic treatment device (1) comprises at least two sensor elements (10A) for at least indirectly detecting the cavitations sonically induced in the liquid treatment medium (2), the at least two sensor elements (10A) preferably being disposed in positions that are spaced apart from each other.

6. The ultrasonic treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (19) are configured to actuate peripheral means (20).

7. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ultrasonic treatment device (1) comprises a logging unit (22) comprising a storage means (21) for acquiring and storing data.

8. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sensor element (10) comprises a housing element (17) made of stainless steel and / or ceramic material, the sensor element (10) and in particular level detection means for detecting the level of the liquid treatment medium in the receptacle and / or status detection means for detecting parameters, in particular the temperature and / or the electrical conductivity of the liquid treatment medium, are disposed in the housing element (17).

9. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receptacle (4) comprises cover means (23) for fully or partially closing the receptacle (4), the closed state being digitally detectable by means of a sensor unit (24).

10. The ultrasonic treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sensor element (10) and / or the evaluating means (18) comprise calibrating means (25) for acquiring and processing calibration data of the liquid treatment medium (2), in particular calibration data acquired by means of a portable hydrophone.