阅读说明：本技术 清洗系统及其使用方法 (Cleaning system and method of use ) 是由 O·普拉卡什 S·特里帕蒂 M·萨胡 K·坎德哈撒米 C·L·库佩尔 于 2021-06-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及清洗系统及其使用方法。本公开提供一种清洗系统,该清洗系统包括第一子室、与第一子室相邻的第二子室、以及与第二子室相邻的第三子室。第一分隔件位于第一子室与第二子室之间。第二分隔件位于第二子室与第三子室之间。真空系统联接到第三子室,以在第三子室中生成小于第一子室的压力的真空压力,以创建压差来引起从第一子室通过位于第二子室中的部件的内部通道到第三子室的第一清洗剂的加压流。过滤系统联接到第一子室和第三子室,以去除和过滤来自第三子室的第一清洗剂,并且将该第一清洗剂返回到第一子室。(The present disclosure relates to cleaning systems and methods of use thereof. The present disclosure provides a cleaning system that includes a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber adjacent to the first sub-chamber, and a third sub-chamber adjacent to the second sub-chamber. The first partition is located between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber. A second partition is located between the second subchamber and the third subchamber. A vacuum system is coupled to the third sub-chamber to generate a vacuum pressure in the third sub-chamber that is less than the pressure of the first sub-chamber to create a pressure differential to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber to the third sub-chamber through the internal passage of the component located in the second sub-chamber. A filtration system is coupled to the first and third subchambers to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third subchamber and return the first cleaning agent to the first subchamber.)

1. A washing system (300), the washing system (300) comprising:

a cleaning chamber (302), the cleaning chamber (302) comprising:

a first sub-chamber (310), the first sub-chamber (310) configured to hold a first cleaning agent;

a second sub-chamber (308), the second sub-chamber (308) adjacent to the first sub-chamber (310);

a first divider (314), the first divider (314) located between the first sub-chamber (310) and the second sub-chamber (308), the first divider (314) having a first aperture (342) formed therein;

a third sub-chamber (306), the third sub-chamber (306) being adjacent to the second sub-chamber (308) and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and

a second divider (312), the second divider (312) located between the second sub-chamber (308) and the third sub-chamber (306), the second divider (312) having a second aperture (344) formed therein, the first aperture (342) and the second aperture (314) configured to form a fluid path through the second sub-chamber (308);

a vacuum system (304), the vacuum system (304) coupled to the third sub-chamber (306), the vacuum system (304) configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber (306) that is less than a pressure of the first sub-chamber (310) to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber (310) to the third sub-chamber (306); and

a filtration system (334), the filtration system (334) coupled to the first sub-chamber (310) and the third sub-chamber (306), the filtration system (334) configured to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber (306) and return the first cleaning agent to the first sub-chamber (310).

2. The washing system (300) of claim 1, said washing system (300) further comprising:

a first coupling mechanism (322), the first coupling mechanism (322) removably coupled to the first divider (314) via the first aperture (342); and

a second coupling mechanism (318), the second coupling mechanism (318) removably coupled to the second divider (312) via the second aperture (344).

3. The washing system (300) of claim 2, said washing system (300) further comprising:

a component (316), the component (316) located in the second sub-chamber (308), the component (316) having:

a first end (324) of the component (316), the first end (324) being removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism (322);

a second end (320) of the component (316), the second end (320) being removably coupled to the second coupling mechanism (318);

an outer surface (352); and

an inner surface (360), the inner surface (360) defining at least one interior channel (350) extending from the first end (324) of the component (316) to the second end (320) of the component (316).

4. The washing system (300) of any of claims 1-3, the washing system (300) further comprising: a first container (340), the first container (340) coupled to the first sub-chamber (310), the first container (340) having the first cleaning agent therein and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber (310).

5. The washing system (300) of any of claims 1-3, the washing system (300) further comprising: a second container (338), the second container (338) coupled to the second subchamber (308), the second container (338) having a second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second subchamber (308).

6. A washing system (500), the washing system (500) comprising:

a plurality of cleaning chambers (518), each cleaning chamber of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518) comprising:

a first sub-chamber (506), the first sub-chamber (506) configured to hold a first cleaning agent;

an agitator (516), the agitator (516) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506), the agitator (516) configured to initiate and maintain a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent;

a second sub-chamber (504), the second sub-chamber (504) being adjacent to the first sub-chamber (506);

a first divider (522), the first divider (522) located between the first sub-chamber (506) and the second sub-chamber (504), the first divider (522) having a plurality of first apertures formed therein;

a third sub-chamber (502), the third sub-chamber (502) being adjacent to the second sub-chamber (504) and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and

a second divider (520), the second divider (520) located between the second subchamber (504) and the third subchamber (502), the second divider having a plurality of second apertures (618) formed therein, each of the plurality of first apertures and each of the plurality of second apertures configured to form a fluid path through the second subchamber;

a vacuum system (536), the vacuum system (536) coupled with the third sub-chamber (502) of each of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518), the vacuum system (536) configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber (502), the pressure of the third sub-chamber (502) being less than a pressure of the first sub-chamber (506) to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber (506) to the third sub-chamber (502); and

a filtration system (534), the filtration system (534) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506) and the third sub-chamber (502) of each of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518), the filtration system (534) configured to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber (502) of each cleaning chamber and return the filtered first cleaning agent to the first sub-chamber (506) of each cleaning chamber.

7. The washing system (500) of claim 6, the washing system (500) further comprising:

a first coupling mechanism (614A-614F), the first coupling mechanism (614A-614F) removably coupled to the first divider (522) via a first through-hole of a plurality of first through-holes (616); and

a second coupling mechanism (612A-612F), the second coupling mechanism (612A-612F) removably coupled to the second divider (520) via a second through-hole of the plurality of second through-holes (618).

8. The washing system (500) of claim 7, the washing system (500) further comprising:

a component (606A-606F), said component (606A-606F) located in said second sub-chamber (504) of at least one of said plurality of wash chambers (518), said component (606A-606F) having:

a first end (610A-610F) of the component (606A-606F), the first end (610A-610F) being removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism (614A-614F);

a second end (608A-608F) of the component (606A-606F), the second end (608A-608F) being removably coupled to the second coupling mechanism (612A-612F);

an outer surface (352); and

an inner surface (360), the inner surface (360) defining at least one internal channel (350) extending from the first end (610A-610F) to the second end (608A-608F) of the component (606A-606F).

9. The washing system (500) of any of claims 6-8, the washing system (500) further comprising: a first container (514), the first container (514) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506) of each cleaning chamber, the first container (514) comprising the first cleaning agent and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber (506).

10. The washing system (500) of any of claims 6-8, the washing system (500) further comprising: a second container (510), the second container (510) coupled to the second subchamber (504) of each cleaning chamber, the second container (510) comprising a second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second subchamber (504).

11. A method of using a cleaning system, the method comprising the steps of:

(104) executing a cleaning program, wherein the cleaning program comprises:

(202) initiating a first pressure cycle of the cleaning sequence with a first cleaning agent in a first sub-chamber of a cleaning chamber, the first sub-chamber having a first pressure;

during a first pressure cycle (214), (204) activating a vacuum system coupled to a third sub-chamber of the cleaning chamber to establish a second pressure in the third sub-chamber, the second pressure being less than the first pressure, the third sub-chamber being separated from the first sub-chamber by a second sub-chamber,

wherein the second subchamber has a component therein having an outer surface and an inner surface defining at least one internal passage, and

wherein the component is removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via a first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via a second coupling mechanism;

during the first pressure cycle (214), in response to the second pressure being less than the first pressure, (206) creating a first pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove a plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component; and

during the first pressure cycle (214), (212) deactivating the vacuum system, wherein the first pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent is absent from the second subchamber when the vacuum system is deactivated.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

performing a first filtering cycle (210), the first filtering cycle being included in the washing program and comprising:

(208) transferring the first purging agent from the third subchamber to a filtration system coupled to the third subchamber and the first subchamber, wherein the filtration system removes the plurality of contaminants from the first purging agent to form a filtered first purging agent; and

(208) delivering the filtered first wash agent to the first subchamber via the filtration system.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: after the first filtration cycle, the first filtration cycle is repeated,

during a second pressure cycle (214), (202) creating a rotational speed of the filtered first wash agent when the first sub-chamber is at the first pressure;

during the second pressure cycle (214), (204) activating the vacuum system to establish a third pressure in the third sub-chamber while the component is removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via the first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via the second coupling mechanism, the third pressure being less than the first pressure; and

during the second pressure cycle (214), in response to the third pressure being less than the first pressure, (206) forming a second flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove the plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the steps of:

during execution of the cleaning procedure, (106) placing a second cleaning agent in the second sub-chamber to remove contaminants from the exterior surface of the component.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the steps of:

(202) agitating the first cleaning agent during the first pressure cycle to establish a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent, wherein the first pressurized flow formed by the first cleaning agent having the rotational speed is a vortex.

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to cleaning passageways of industrial equipment and internal passageways of parts and assemblies that can be manufactured using industrial equipment.

Background

Various types of industrial equipment may be employed to manufacture and assemble parts across multiple industries. Such industrial equipment may include an engineered component having one or more internal channels. Likewise, a part manufactured or otherwise manufactured by the industrial device may also include one or more internal passages. The internal passages of the various components and parts manufactured and assembled using industrial equipment may accumulate a buildup of contaminants within the internal passages thereof. Removing the build-up in these internal channels can be challenging given the location of the build-up. In addition, the cleaning process used to remove the build-up leaves residues that can be hazardous to future uses of the industrial equipment and various components. Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved method of cleaning internal passages.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a cleaning system. In one aspect, the cleaning system includes a cleaning chamber comprising: a first subchamber configured to hold a first cleaning agent; a second subchamber adjacent to the first subchamber; and a first partition between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, the first partition having a first hole formed therein. The cleaning chamber further comprises: a third subchamber adjacent to the second subchamber and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and a second divider located between the second sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber, the second divider having a second aperture formed therein, the first aperture and the second aperture configured to form a fluid path through the second sub-chamber. The cleaning system further comprises: a vacuum system coupled to the third sub-chamber, the vacuum system configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber that is less than a pressure of the first sub-chamber to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber to the third sub-chamber; and a filtration system coupled to the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber, the filtration system configured to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber and return the first cleaning agent to the first sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a first coupling mechanism removably coupled to the first divider via a first through-hole of the first plurality of through-holes; and a second coupling mechanism removably coupled to the second divider via a second through-hole of the plurality of second through-holes.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a component located in the second subchamber, the component having: a first end of the component removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism; a second end of the component removably coupled to a second coupling mechanism; an outer surface; and an inner surface defining at least one interior passage extending from the first end of the member to the second end of the member.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: each of the first and second coupling mechanisms comprises at least one of a press-fit mechanism, a clamp, an adhesive, a magnetic chuck, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a temperature controller coupled to the first sub-chamber, the temperature controller configured to regulate a temperature of the first sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a first container coupled to the first sub-chamber, the first container having a first cleaning agent therein and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a second container coupled to the second subchamber, the second container having a second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second subchamber.

The present disclosure provides a cleaning system. In one aspect, the cleaning system includes a plurality of cleaning chambers. Each of the plurality of cleaning chambers includes: a first subchamber configured to hold a first cleaning agent; an agitator coupled to the first sub-chamber, the agitator configured to initiate and maintain a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent; a second sub-chamber adjacent to the first sub-chamber; a first partition between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, the first partition having a plurality of first holes formed therein; a third subchamber adjacent to the second subchamber and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and a second divider located between the second sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber, the second divider having a plurality of second apertures formed therein, each of the plurality of first apertures and each of the plurality of second apertures configured to form a fluid path through the second sub-chamber. The cleaning system further comprises: a vacuum system coupled to the third sub-chamber of each of the plurality of cleaning chambers, the vacuum system configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber, the pressure of the third sub-chamber being less than the pressure of the first sub-chamber to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber to the third sub-chamber; and a filtration system coupled to the first and third sub-chambers of each of the plurality of wash chambers, the filtration system configured to remove and filter the first wash agent from the third sub-chamber of each wash chamber and return the filtered first wash agent to the first sub-chamber of each wash chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a first coupling mechanism removably coupled to the first divider via a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures; and a second coupling mechanism removably coupled to the second divider via a second aperture of the plurality of second apertures.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a component located in the second sub-chamber of at least one of the plurality of cleaning chambers. The component has: a first end of the component removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism; a second end of the component removably coupled to the second coupling mechanism; an outer surface; and an inner surface defining at least one interior passage extending from the first end of the member to the second end of the member.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a first container coupled to the first sub-chamber of each cleaning chamber, the first container comprising a first cleaning agent and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: a second container coupled to the second sub-chamber of each cleaning chamber, the second container comprising a second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example washing systems above or below, the washing system further comprises: at least one pressure sensor coupled to the first sub-chamber, the second sub-chamber, or the third sub-chamber.

The present disclosure provides a method of using a cleaning system. In one aspect, the method of using a washing system comprises: a cleaning procedure is performed. The cleaning procedure comprises the following steps: creating, starting a first pressure cycle of a cleaning program, a first cleaning agent in a first sub-chamber of a cleaning chamber, the first sub-chamber having a first pressure; during the first pressure cycle, activating a vacuum system coupled to a third sub-chamber of the cleaning chamber to establish a second pressure in the third sub-chamber, the second pressure being less than the first pressure, the third sub-chamber being separated from the first sub-chamber by a second sub-chamber, the second sub-chamber having a component located therein, the component having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining at least one internal passage, and the component being removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via a first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via a second coupling mechanism; forming a first pressurized flow of a first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove the plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component in response to the second pressure being less than the first pressure during the first pressure cycle; and deactivating the vacuum system during the first pressure cycle. When the vacuum system is deactivated, the first pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent is not present in the second sub-chamber.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the exemplary cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: a first filtering cycle is performed, which is included in the washing program. The first filtration cycle comprises: the first cleaning agent is delivered from the third subchamber to a filtration system coupled to the third subchamber and the first subchamber. The filtration system removing a plurality of contaminants from the first cleaning agent to form a filtered first cleaning agent; and delivering the filtered first cleaning agent to the first subchamber via the filtration system.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using a cleaning system further comprises a cleaning procedure comprising: multiple filtration cycles are performed during the pressure cycle before the vacuum system is deactivated.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: after the first filtration cycle, during a second pressure cycle, when the first sub-chamber is at the first pressure, creating a rotational speed of the filtered first wash agent; during a second pressure cycle, activating the vacuum system to establish a third pressure in the third sub-chamber while the component is removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via the first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via the second coupling mechanism, the third pressure being less than the first pressure; and during a second pressure cycle, in response to the third pressure being less than the first pressure, forming a second flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove the plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: during the cleaning procedure, a second cleaning agent is placed in the second subchamber to remove contaminants from the exterior surface of the component.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: the first pressure is about atmospheric pressure and the second pressure is about 0.01 pascal (Pa) to about 1 Pa.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the exemplary cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: a first cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of: surfactant, degreasing liquid, degreasing gas, ambient air, nitrogen, CO₂And combinations thereof.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the exemplary cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: a first cleaning agent comprising a plurality of particles having an average diameter of about 0.5mm to about 3 mm.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of: polymer particles, ceramic particles, glass particles, and combinations thereof.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: the first pressurized stream is a linear stream.

In one aspect, in combination with any of the example cleaning methods above or below, the method of using the cleaning system further comprises: during the first pressure cycle, the first cleaning agent is agitated to establish a rotational velocity of the first cleaning agent, wherein the first pressurized flow formed by the first cleaning agent having the rotational velocity is a vortex.

Drawings

So that the manner in which the above recited features can be understood in detail, a more particular description may be had by reference to example aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which are briefly summarized above.

Fig. 1 depicts an example of a flow chart of a method of using a washing system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 depicts another example of a flow chart of a method of using a washing system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts a washing system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 depicts an example vacuum system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a washing system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a portion of a washing system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to purging systems and methods that use pressure differentials to create one or more pressurized streams. The internal passages may be included in components used in various types of industrial equipment, or on parts and assemblies (collectively referred to herein as "components") manufactured using industrial equipment or manufactured using other methods and equipment. As discussed herein, an "industrial device" may be various types of machinery used to manufacture, assemble, clean, inspect, and otherwise manufacture a component (e.g., an aerospace component). The components may include mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical components. Components such as pipes, hoses, conduits, fittings and other connections and channels may each include one or more internal channels. The internal passages of the components may accumulate a buildup of contaminants that may present a challenge to cleaning. The contaminants discussed herein may be solid, liquid, or colloidal, and may include various processing agents used on industrial equipment (e.g., degreasers or other solvents), as well as dirt, dust, animal life (e.g., insects), plant life, metal debris resulting from machining, or other Foreign Object Debris (FOD) or undesirable elements that may negatively impact component function via clogging or contamination.

Current methods of cleaning internal passages may not be sufficient because internal passages may have small, thin, or narrow cross-sections; different cross-sectional sizes and geometries; twisted, kinked, wrapped or other unique geometric shapes; and/or corners. Current cleaning methods are cumbersome and time consuming due to the combination of contaminant build-up and internal channel geometry. In addition, currently employed cleaning methods leave contaminants that are not removed and may also leave cleaning agents that are used as part of the cleaning process.

Thus, the systems and methods discussed herein may be used to clean components having one or more internal passages of different cross-sectional shapes and geometries without leaving residue. The systems and methods discussed herein use increased force generated by creating and controlling a pressurized flow in response to a pressure differential between two environments. The pressurized flow may be directed through one or more internal channels in multiple iterations. As discussed herein, a "pressurized flow" is a flow of one or more materials that is generated along a path establishment based on at least one pressure differential between a first environment (e.g., a subchamber) and a second environment (e.g., a different subchamber). The one or more materials may include a cleaning agent. Pressurized streams may be used to transport fluids and solids, or mixtures of multiple types of cleaning agents, along a path that may include one or more internal channels of a component. As used herein, "fluid" may include materials in liquid or gas phase (including bubbles). The cleaning agent may be a single phase medium or a multi-phase medium in various configurations. The single phase medium may be one of the following: liquid (e.g. water (H)₂O) cleaning agent), gasA body, a solvent, or a solid (e.g., particulate matter that may be used alone to remove contaminants from the internal passage). The multi-phase medium may include 1) water and solvent vapor, 2) solvent liquid and solvent vapor, 3) water, solvent, and a plurality of particles, or any combination thereof. In some examples, multiple bubbles may be introduced into a single phase purge or a multi-phase purge. In other examples, colloids or dispersion mixtures (heterogeneous media) may be used as cleaning agents.

The pressurized flow may be configured in various ways, including linear flow or swirl. The "linear" flow may be a flow of cleaning agent substantially along the central axis of the internal passage of the component. In contrast, as used herein, a "vortex" is a pressurized flow of cleaning agent having a rotational velocity. As used herein, "rotational speed" of a medium, such as a cleaning agent, is used to mean that the cleaning agent has a circumferential velocity such that a pressure differential creates a helical flow through one or more fluid paths. Thus, the vortex flow may comprise a pressurized flow of cleaning agent along a helical flow path through the internal passage. The vortex travels along a central axis of the internal passage of the component while rotating at an angle relative to the central axis. In this example, the swirling cleaning agent has a rotational speed that is maintained or increased as the cleaning agent is transported along the internal passage. In some examples, the cleaning agent may be rotated at an angle of 30 ° (degrees), 60 °, or 90 ° with respect to the central axis of the internal passage. For example, the cleaning methods discussed herein may be used to clean tubular structures having multiple bends because the pressurized flow can be directed through complex components relatively easily compared to current cleaning methods. Furthermore, the pressurized flow of cleaning agent does not leave residues that could lead to fire hazards, equipment contamination, and/or other performance issues once the component is put back into service after cleaning. The systems and methods discussed herein may be used to control the formation and direction of a pressurized flow via a pressure differential between a first environment and a second environment to remove contaminants without leaving undesirable residues. Thus, the systems and methods discussed herein result in higher cleaning rates and improved cleaning efficiencies compared to current cleaning methods.

The cleaning systems discussed herein have at least one cleaning chamber divided into a plurality of sub-chambers, the combination of which may be referred to as a "sub-chamber stack," as discussed in detail below. In one example, the components are coupled to the wash chamber using a plurality of coupling mechanisms. As discussed herein, a "coupling mechanism" is a device configured to secure two or more elements of a system to one another. The cleaning chamber is configured in such a way that two or more sub-chambers are each configured for individual pressure control. In some examples, the two or more sub-chambers are each configured for separate temperature control. The first sub-chamber of the cleaning chamber may include a plurality of cleaning agents disposed therein. Depending on the example, the cleaning agent may comprise a liquid, a gas, and/or a solid. In some examples, as discussed in the multi-phase medium example above, two or more types of cleaning agents may be placed in the first subchamber and may be used simultaneously. The first and third subchambers are separated by the second subchamber, and the combination of these three subchambers may be referred to as a "subchamber stack. The component is fluidly coupled to the first sub-chamber via a first coupling mechanism and fluidly coupled to the third sub-chamber via a second coupling mechanism. As used herein, "fluidly coupled" is used to refer to a configuration of the system in the following manner: such that two or more subchambers are connected by a path that allows gas and/or fluid to travel in, between, and/or through the subchambers.

In one example, the component includes at least one internal channel. The internal channel is fluidly coupled between the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber. The component may be removably coupled to each of the first and second coupling mechanisms. As used herein, "removably coupled" is used to refer to the coupling of two or more elements (e.g., coupling mechanisms and components) that can be subsequently uncoupled without damaging either element. The coupling of the component to the cleaning system via each of the first and second coupling mechanisms creates a path along the internal passage for the cleaning agent to travel from the first sub-chamber through the internal passage to the third sub-chamber. The component may be removably coupled to one or both of the first and second coupling mechanisms before or after the coupling mechanisms are removably coupled to the first and third sub-chambers, respectively. The component may be located in the second sub-chamber in a different manner. For example, the second sub-chamber may have a panel on one or more sides that is configured to open and close to allow components to be located therein. In another example, a first partition separating the first sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber may be configured to open, close, or otherwise move to allow components to be located in the second sub-chamber. In yet another example, a second partition separating the third sub-chamber from the second sub-chamber may be configured to open, close, or otherwise move to allow components to be located in the second sub-chamber.

In this example, the pressure of the first sub-chamber is greater than the pressure of the third sub-chamber. This pressure differential between the first and third subchambers results in the formation of a pressurized flow of cleaning agent and travels from the first subchamber to the third subchamber through the internal passage of the component. As discussed herein, a "pressure cycle" includes activating and deactivating at least one vacuum system in the cleaning system, thereby creating at least one pressurized flow of cleaning agent from the first subchamber to the third subchamber. Multiple pressurized streams may be formed during a single pressure cycle as purging agents are filtered and/or new purging agents are introduced into the purging system. When the pressure cycle is terminated, the pressurized flow is stopped. The first pressure cycle removes a first plurality of contaminants from the internal passage of the component using one or more pressurized flows as a cleaning agent is passed through the internal passage from the first subchamber to the third subchamber. Once the cleaning agent travels to the third subchamber, it may be filtered and transported from the third subchamber back to the first subchamber through the filtration system. The transport of cleaning agent that has passed through the filtration system through the components in the second sub-chamber and back to the first sub-chamber may be referred to herein as a "filtration cycle". The filtered cleaning agent may be used for a second cleaning cycle of the component or other components that are later placed in the system. In some examples, additional fresh rinse may be added to the first sub-chamber during the second or other subsequent rinse cycle. One or more filtration cycles may occur during the pressure cycle. In some examples, no filtration cycle occurs during the pressure cycle, but a waste container is used to remove used cleaning agents, as described below.

During one or more pressure cycles, a pressure differential is maintained across the subchambers to continue the pressurized flow of cleaning agent. The systems discussed herein may include programmable logic that may be configured as one or more cleaning procedures. In one example, each cleaning program includes one or more pressure cycles. The programmable logic may be executed using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). In another example, each cleaning program includes one or more pressure cycles and one or more filtration cycles that occur during the one or more pressure cycles. In yet another example, each cleaning procedure includes one or more pressure cycles and one or more filtration cycles performed during or after the one or more pressure cycles. That is, the vacuum system may or may not be activated during the filtration cycle, as the filtration system may have its own mechanism by which to remove cleaning agent from the third subchamber, thereby ensuring that cleaning agent does not fall back into the internal passage.

Method for cleaning internal passages

Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method 100 of using a washing system according to an example of the present disclosure. At operation 102 of the method 100, the component is removably positioned and coupled to the washing system. The washing system discussed in method 100 and method 200 below may be washing system 300 (fig. 3) or washing system 500 (fig. 5), discussed in detail below. Operation 102 may occur in various ways. In one example of operation 102, the component is removably coupled to one or more coupling mechanisms prior to removably coupling the coupling mechanisms to the washing system. In another example of operation 102, the coupling mechanism is removably coupled to the washing system, and then the component is removably coupled to each of the coupling mechanisms. In yet another example of operation 102, one coupling mechanism may be coupled to the component prior to coupling the component to the cleaning system, and a second coupling mechanism may be coupled to the system such that the component has been connected to the cleaning system while coupled to the second coupling mechanism. The cleaning system may have multiple access points through which components may be located in the cleaning system.

The components coupled to the cleaning system at operation 102 may accumulate a buildup of contaminants in their internal passages. In some examples, the component may also accumulate contaminants on its outer surface, which may be the same or different than the contaminants in the internal passage. Various contaminants in the interior passage and/or the exterior surface may render the component unusable or risk attempting to serve its intended purpose. In examples where the component is an aerospace component, various contaminants may render the aerospace component unsuitable for use because the contaminants may diffuse to other components in the assembly. Various contaminants may additionally or alternatively act as undesirable ignition points during use or testing of aerospace components. In examples where the component is an industrial equipment component, the various contaminants can further contaminate industrial equipment as well as components manufactured by or used with the industrial equipment or otherwise developed. Exemplary industrial equipment may include coating, casting, injection molding, cleaning, food manufacturing and packaging equipment, and inspection equipment that may utilize various fluids, gases, solids, colloidal solutions, or other process materials that may cause contamination. Furthermore, the use of industrial equipment in a manufacturing plant environment can result in contamination of the internal passages and/or external surfaces of the components.

At operation 104, a cleaning procedure is performed to remove a plurality of contaminants from the internal passage of the component. As discussed herein, the washing program executed at operation 104 may be stored on the washing system and/or on a remote server or other remote location accessible to the washing system via one or more remote technologies (e.g., cloud computing technologies). As described above, the cleaning procedure performed at operation 104 may include one or more pressure cycles and one or more filtration cycles. Operation 104 is discussed in detail in fig. 2.

At operation 106, the cleaning program optionally removes contaminants from the exterior surface of the component. In one example, operation 104 is performed concurrently with operation 106. In another example, operation 104 is performed in a manner that partially overlaps with operation 106. In yet another example, operation 104 is performed separately from operation 106 (e.g., before or after operation 106) such that the two operations do not overlap. Operation 106 may include: one or more cleaning agents are introduced into the chamber. The cleaning agent used in operation 106 may include one or more of a liquid, a gas, a particulate, or a combination thereof. The cleaning agent used in operation 106 may include a surfactant, water, ambient air, or a combination thereof. The cleaning agent used at operation 106 may be the same cleaning agent used at operation 104. In other examples, the purging agent used at operation 106 may be different from the purging agent used at operation 104. In still other examples, the cleaning agent used at operation 106 may include one or more types of other cleaning agents other than the cleaning agent used at operation 104. The cleaning agent used in operation 106 may be introduced and removed from the portion of the cleaning system in which the component is located (referred to herein as the "subchamber") in a single cycle. In other examples, the purging agent for operation 106 may be introduced in multiple purging cycles, where the purging agent is removed and filtered after each purging cycle and reintroduced to the portion of the purging system where the component is located. In some examples that may be combined with other examples herein, the purging agent for operation 106 may be introduced in multiple purging cycles, where the purging agent is removed after each purging cycle and a new purging agent is introduced for one or more subsequent purging cycles. In still other examples, the cleaning agent used in operation 106 may be a combination of filtered cleaning agent and new cleaning agent.

At an operation 108, the component is removed from the system after removing the plurality of contaminants from the internal passage at operation 104 (and optionally, from the external surface of the component at operation 106). After the component is removed, various inspections and/or tests may be performed to ensure that contaminants have been removed from the interior channel and the exterior surface. After operation 108, the components may be reassembled to an aerospace component (or other component), or to an industrial device. In some examples, as discussed in detail below, during the method 100, when two or more internal passages of a component are to be cleaned, one or more holes of the two or more internal passages may be blocked. In this example, the first internal passage may be purged using at least operation 104 of the method 100, wherein the purging agent is passed through the first internal passage via a pressurized flow. During subsequent iterations of the method 100, different orifices may be blocked and/or unblocked in order to direct the pressurized flow through one or more different internal passages.

Fig. 2 depicts an example of a flow chart of a method 200 of using a washing system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The method 200 is an example of performing a cleaning procedure at operation 104 of FIG. 1. At operation 202 of the method 200, a first pressure cycle is initiated. The pressure cycle is indicated by 214 in fig. 2. At operation 202, a first pressure is established in a first sub-chamber. In one example, the first pressure of the first sub-chamber is about atmospheric pressure (1 atm). In other examples, the first pressure of the first sub-chamber may be from about 0.5 atmospheres to about 1.5 atmospheres. In other examples, the first pressure of the first sub-chamber may be from about 0.8 atmospheres to about 1.2 atmospheres. In one example, a first rotational speed of a first cleaning agent is optionally created at operation 202 in a first sub-chamber of the cleaning system during a first pressure cycle of the cleaning program in method 200. In one example, the agitation of the first cleaning agent may cause a plurality of bubbles in the first cleaning agent. In other examples, at operation 202, the first cleaning agent is located in the first sub-chamber, but is not agitated/rotated in the first sub-chamber, when the first sub-chamber is at the first pressure.

The first cleaning agent may comprise one or more fluids such as surfactants, degreasing liquids, degreasing gases, ambient air, nitrogen, CO₂Or a combination thereof. As used herein, a "degreasing" material (liquid or gas) is a material that is capable of removing contaminants from an internal passage. As described above, the first cleaning agent may include one or more components in a single phase configuration or a multi-phase configuration. Depending on the example, the first cleaning agent is non-carcinogenic, may be biodegradable or may be a biodegradable agentWith low levels of hydrocarbons, or no hydrocarbons. The first cleaning agent may be selected to be discarded into a waste system utilized by other systems without further treatment, without pretreatment, and without harm to aquatic life. In some examples, the first cleaning agent may be selected in a manner such that the first cleaning agent does not appear in the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restrictions of the chemical (REACH) authorization list. In other examples, the first cleaning agent may be selected and disposed of in a closed loop system in which a pre-treatment is performed prior to disposal to neutralize and/or reduce the effect of the solvent on the environment.

In some examples, the first cleaning agent may be a plurality of particles, or a multi-phase medium comprising a plurality of particles. In one example, the plurality of particles can have an average diameter of about 0.5mm to about 3.0 mm. In another example, the plurality of particles may have an average diameter of about 0.5mm to about 1.0 mm. In yet another example, the plurality of particles can have an average diameter of about 0.8mm to about 2.0 mm. As used herein, "about" may mean that the stated target measurement, minimum measurement, or maximum measurement is within +/-5% of the measurement. The plurality of particles may include one or more of polymer particles, ceramic particles, glass particles, or polymer-coated glass particles or ceramic particles. The plurality of particles may include about 1% to about 50% of the weight percent (wt.%) of the first cleaning agent. In another example, the plurality of particles may include a weight percentage of the first cleaning agent of about 2% to about 30%. In another example, the plurality of particles may include a weight percentage of the first cleaning agent of about 5% to about 20%. In yet another example, the plurality of particles may include a weight percentage of the first cleaning agent of about 10% to about 30%. The type, size, and wt.% of the particles in the cleaning agent may be selected to protect (e.g., not damage) the coating and/or texture on the interior surface of the interior channel. In one example, further at operation 202, a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent may be established. In one example, the rotational speed may be from about 1 meter/second (m/s) to about 50 m/s. In another example, the rotational speed may be from about 5m/s to about 40 m/s. In yet another example, the rotational speed may be from about 10m/s to about 30 m/s. The rotational speed may be established in either direction around the central axis of the washing system. In some examples, the rotational speed may be changed from a first direction to a second direction during execution of the washing program.

At operation 204, during the first pressure cycle, a vacuum system of the cleaning system is activated to establish a second pressure in the third sub-chamber. The vacuum system may be coupled to a third sub-chamber of the cleaning system, the third sub-chamber being separated from the first sub-chamber by a second sub-chamber having components located therein. The second pressure in the third sub-chamber is less than the first pressure in the first sub-chamber, which establishes a pressure differential between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber. In various examples, the second pressure is about 0.01 pascal (Pa) to about 1 Pa. In another example, the second pressure is about 0.01Pa to about 0.8 Pa. In another example, the second pressure is about 0.25Pa to about 1 Pa. The pressure differential between the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber facilitates formation of a first pressurized flow of a first cleaning agent at operation 206. The first pressurized flow formed at operation 206 travels through at least one internal passage of the component to remove a plurality of contaminants during the first pressure cycle. During operation 206, at least a portion of the first cleaning agent in the first sub-chamber is thereby delivered to the third sub-chamber via the pressurized flow. That is, the pressure differential between the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber, in combination with the fluid path formed by the component coupled to the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber, causes the first cleaning agent to be driven from the first sub-chamber to the third sub-chamber along the internal passage of the component, thereby removing the contaminants from the component. As discussed herein, a "fluid path" is a channel configured to allow a medium (e.g., a liquid, a gas, a solid, or a combination thereof) to fluidly travel therethrough (e.g., without impeding the medium traveling within the channel). Furthermore, the second pressure in the third sub-chamber prevents the first cleaning agent from falling back into the internal passage (which again contaminates the internal passage).

In examples where the first cleaning agent is agitated at operation 202, the agitation (e.g., the rotational speed of the first cleaning agent) is maintained at operation 204. Thus, the pressurized flow created by the pressure differential between the first and second sub-chambers may be referred to as a vortex, as described above, because the pressurized flow will have a rotational speed based on the agitation of the first cleaning agent. Each of the first sub-chamber, the second sub-chamber, and the third sub-chamber is configured to be sealed from an adjacent environment (as discussed below in fig. 3) to enable the formation of independent pressure, temperature, and chemical environments. As used herein, a "chemical environment" is a region, such as a sub-chamber, that includes ambient air and/or one or more types of cleaning agents that may have different chemical reactions and compositions.

In one example, as indicated by arrow 216, after the pressurized flow is formed at operation 206, the vacuum system may be deactivated at operation 212 to terminate the first pressure cycle. In some examples, the first cleaning agent is removed from the third sub-chamber via the waste container after removing the plurality of contaminants from the internal passage prior to deactivating the vacuum system at operation 212. In this example, a new, unused first cleaning agent may be delivered to the first subchamber at optional operation 218, and a subsequent pressure cycle may be performed (as indicated by arrow 214).

In another example, a first filtration cycle is performed at operation 208 during the pressure cycle. In this example, at operation 208, the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber is removed and conveyed through the filtration system. The filtration system is coupled to both the third sub-chamber and the first sub-chamber and is configured to remove a plurality of contaminants from the internal passage of the component and form a filtered first cleaning agent (which may also be referred to as a "recycled" first cleaning agent). The filtered first cleaning agent may be used and re-filtered in one or more filtration cycles (as indicated by arrow 210). Thus, one or more filtration cycles 210 may occur during a single pressure cycle 214. After each filtration cycle, the filtered first purging agent (alone or in combination with a new first purging agent) is used to form a subsequent pressurized stream. After one or more filtration cycles 210, the vacuum system may be deactivated at operation 212 to terminate the first pressure cycle (as indicated by arrow 216). In other examples, the filtered first cleaning agent (obtained at operation 208) may be used to combine with a new first cleaning agent introduced into the first sub-chamber at operation 218.

Thus, in the method 200, one or more pressure cycles 214 may be performed, and within each pressure cycle 214, zero, one, or more filtration cycles 210 may occur. In one example, each pressure cycle 214 forms and dissipates a pressurized flow based on the pressure differential and the rotational speed of the first cleaning agent to transport the pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent through the internal passages of the component to remove multiple contaminants. In another example, each pressure cycle 214 creates a linear flow based on a pressure differential when the rotational speed of the first cleaning agent is not established. The pressure of the first sub-chamber may be the same during and between pressure cycles 214. In other examples, the pressure of the first sub-chamber may vary among and between pressure cycles 214, or during a single pressure cycle 214 having two or more filtration cycles 210. The pressure of the third sub-chamber may be the same during and between pressure cycles 214. In other examples, the pressure of the third sub-chamber may vary among and between pressure cycles 214, or during a single pressure cycle 214 having two or more filtration cycles 210. Similarly, the rotational speed of the first cleaning agent optionally established at operation 202 may be varied during a single pressure cycle 214 comprising one or more filtration cycles 210. In other examples, the rotational speed of the first cleaning agent optionally established at operation 202 may be varied among and between two or more pressure cycles 214, each pressure cycle 214 including one or more filtration cycles 210.

In some examples, the component located in the second sub-chamber may include more than two apertures. In this example, additional orifices may be plugged prior to beginning the first pressure cycle. In other examples, additional holes may be coupled to additional internal passages of the component. The method 100 and the method 200 may be used to form a fluid path in one or more internal channels of a component by appropriately plugging and unplugging pores to remove contaminants from additional internal channels of the component. In other examples, two or more internal channels may remove multiple contaminants simultaneously, depending on the geometry of the internal channels.

Single-CHAMBER STACK (SINGLE-SUB-CHAMBER-STACK) cleaning system

Fig. 3 depicts a washing system 300 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The cleaning system 300 may be used in the methods 100 and 200 described above. A plurality of programmable logic that may be configured to execute one or more cleaning procedures by the cleaning system may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., data storage 366). The data store 366 may be local to the washing system 300 or may be remotely accessed by a plurality of hardware 368 included in the washing system 300. In other examples, the washing system 300 may be manually operated using one or more buttons, switches, or other elements to activate and activate the plurality of hardware 368.

The cleaning system 300 includes a chamber 302, the chamber 302 being divided into a plurality of sub-chambers including a first sub-chamber 310. First subchamber 310 is separated from second subchamber 308 by first divider 314. The first partition 314 is configured to isolate adjacent sub-chambers. When adjacent sub-chambers are isolated, one or more different pressure, temperature, or chemical environments may be established and maintained such that each of the first sub-chamber 310 and the second sub-chamber 308 has at least one of a different pressure, temperature, or chemical environment. The second subchamber 308 is separated from the adjacent third subchamber 306 by a second divider 312. The combination of first subchamber 310, second subchamber 308, and third subchamber 306 may be referred to as a "subchamber stack.

The first partition 314 includes at least one first hole 342, which may also be described as a first through hole. First aperture 342 may be configured to receive first coupling mechanism 322 to couple to first end 324 of member 316. First coupling mechanism 322 may be located in first aperture 342 and coupled to first aperture 342 using one or more means as discussed herein. In one example, the component 316 shown in inset 316 of fig. 3 has an outer surface 352, a first end 324 with a first end aperture 354, a second end 320 with a second end aperture 356, and an inner surface 360 defining an interior channel 350. The internal passage 350 may have varying sizes and cross-sectional shapes (including polygonal, circular, elliptical, triangular, or a combination of shapes). Depending on the example, the internal passage 350 may have various coatings, smoothness or porosity, or other features that are not damaged by the methods discussed herein.

The shape and material of the component 316 may vary, such as being a metal, alloy, polymer, ceramic, composite, or a combination of two or more materials. In various examples, the cross-sectional geometry of the internal passage 350 of the component 316 may be different. These geometries may include circles, ovals, polygons, or other geometries or combinations of geometries. In some examples, the diameter of the internal passage 350 may taper from the first end 324 to the second end 320 of the component 316, or vice versa. In other examples, the diameter and/or cross-sectional geometry may vary along the length of the component 316 in other ways. In some examples, the geometry of the component 316 may include a straight tubular structure, a helical structure having one or more turns, a curved structure having one or more curves (e.g., an "S-shaped" curve), or other geometry or combination of geometries. In still other examples, the member 316 may have more than two holes. In this example, the plurality of internal passages may be defined by two or more apertures. Some of the plurality of internal channels may be interconnected, while other internal channels may not be connected to additional internal channels. In some examples, the component 316 is not part of the washing system 300, such as when various features of the washing system 300 are tested or assembled, or when the washing system 300 is shipped.

Each of the first and second spacers 314, 312 may be formed of various materials, such as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, or combinations of materials. The second partition 312 includes a second hole 344, which may also be described as a second through hole. First and second apertures 342 and 344 are configured to form a fluid path through second subchamber 308 regardless of whether component 316 is located in the fluid path. The second aperture 344 may be configured to receive a second coupling mechanism 318, the second coupling mechanism 318 configured to couple to the second end 320 of the component 316. Second coupling mechanism 318 may be located in second aperture 344 and coupled to second aperture 344 using one or more means as discussed herein. Each of the first coupling mechanism 322 and the second coupling mechanism 318 may be configured as at least one of a press-fit mechanism, a clamp, an adhesive, or a magnetic disc, or a combination thereof relating to its ability to couple to the component 316. Thus, depending on the example, each of the first coupling mechanism 322 and the second coupling mechanism 318 may be removably coupled to the component 316 using the same mechanism or different mechanisms. Further, each of the first and second coupling mechanisms 322, 318 may be configured as a press-fit mechanism, a clamp, an adhesive, or a magnetic chuck, or a combination thereof, to couple to each of the first and second dividers 314, 312, respectively.

The component 316 is removably coupled to the second sub-chamber 308 via a first coupling mechanism 322 and a second coupling mechanism 318. This coupling may occur before or after one or both coupling mechanisms (318, 322) are coupled to the respective dividers (312, 314). The first coupling mechanism 322 is configured to form a seal with the first divider 314. The seal formed between the first divider 314 and the first coupling mechanism 322 is formed in part by the mating of the first coupling mechanism 322 in the first bore 342. Similarly, the second coupling mechanism 318 is configured to form a seal with the second divider 312. The seal formed between the second partition 312 and the first coupling mechanism 318 is formed in part by the mating of the second coupling mechanism 318 in the second bore 344. Each seal is formed in a manner such that first subchamber 310 remains isolated from second subchamber 308 and second subchamber 308 remains isolated from third subchamber 306. Similar to the first divider 314, the second divider 312 is configured to isolate adjacent sub-chambers such that each of the third sub-chamber 306 and the second sub-chamber 308 may have one or more of a different pressure, temperature, or chemical environment than the adjacent chambers. A plurality of sensors 364 may be coupled to the washing system 300. The plurality of sensors 364 may include pressure (leak) sensors, temperature sensors, or other sensors selected to further ensure that the subchambers remain isolated to at least facilitate a pressure differential for creating the pressurized flow. Depending on the example, the one or more cleaning procedures may be configured to determine whether a leak exists before, during, and after one or more pressure cycles of the cleaning system 300.

Second sub-chamber 308 may include one or more access points on one or more sides through which components 316 are located in second sub-chamber 308 and removed from second sub-chamber 308. Depending on the example, component 316 may be removed from second subchamber 308 with or without removing one or both coupling mechanisms (318, 322) from the second subchamber. Although a single component 316 is shown as being located in the second sub-chamber 308, in other examples, multiple components may be located in the second sub-chamber 308 and may be cleaned simultaneously.

In fig. 3, first end 324 and second end 320 are shown as being co-located along axis 358. In other examples, the first end 324 and the second end 320 of the member may not be positioned along a shared axis. Thus, the first coupling mechanism 322 and the second coupling mechanism 318 may be configured to be adjustable to accommodate ends of components 316 of different diameters and shapes that do not have a shared axis. In some examples that may be combined with other examples herein, first coupling mechanism 322 and second coupling mechanism 318 may be configured to be adjustable to accommodate various tube diameters. Further, each of the first and second coupling mechanisms 322, 318 may be configured to allow for quick clamping and unclamping of each of the first and second ends 324, 320.

Each of the first sub-chamber 310 and the third sub-chamber 306 are shown in fig. 3 as being substantially rectangular in shape and having substantially similar volumes. Further, the second subchamber 308 is shown as rectangular in shape and having a larger size and volume. In other examples, the shape and volume of each of first subchamber 310, second subchamber 308, and third subchamber 306 may be different. In still other examples, the second sub-chamber 308 may be configured in various ways such that it is not a fully enclosed sub-chamber. This may be a desirable configuration where the cleaning of the outer surface 352 of the component 316 is accomplished using various tools and/or cleaning agents or methods that are more easily performed in the open area or partially open area where the second sub-chamber 308 is shown in FIG. 3.

A first cleaning agent (not shown here) may be provided in the first container 340. A first container 340 is coupled to the first sub-chamber 310 to introduce a first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber 310. An agitator 330 is optionally coupled to the first subchamber 310. The agitator 330 may be a vortex generator configured to selectively establish a rotational speed 362 of the first cleaning agent in the first sub-chamber 310. In other examples, the agitator 330 may additionally or alternatively be configured to introduce a plurality of bubbles into the first cleaning agent. The agitator 330 may be configured to extend from the bottom 310B of the first sub-chamber 310 or from the top 310A of the first sub-chamber 310. Depending on the example, the agitator 330 may include one or more propellers, tubes, or other elements configured to perform an agitator function, including the agitator 330 as discussed herein and in fig. 5 below.

The first temperature controller 326 may be connected to the first container 340 and/or the first sub-chamber 310 and configured to control the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340. In one example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340 may be about 15 ℃ to about 100 ℃. In another example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340 may be about 35 ℃ to about 80 ℃. In yet another example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340 may be about 15 ℃ to about 40 ℃. In another example, the first temperature controller may alternatively or additionally be configured to control the temperature of the first sub-chamber 310. In this example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340 is substantially similar to the temperature of the first sub-chamber 310 (e.g., within 5%, 3%, or 1%, depending on the example). In another example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 340 is different (e.g., the difference is greater than 5%) from the temperature of the first sub-chamber 310.

Second container 338 may be coupled to second subchamber 308. The second container 338 contains a plurality of second cleaning agents for cleaning the exterior surface 352 of the component 316, as discussed above in the method 100. The second cleaning agent may be applied from the second container 338 as a liquid, spray, mist, or condensed vapor from a pool of boiling liquid. The second reservoir 338 may be configured to deliver a second cleaning agent to the second subchamber 308. The second temperature controller 348 may be coupled to the second sub-chamber 308 and/or the second container 338. Second temperature controller 348 may be configured to control one or both of the temperature of the plurality of second cleaning agents in second container 338 or the temperature of second sub-chamber 308. In one example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 338 may be about 15 ℃ to about 100 ℃. In another example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 338 may be about 15 ℃ to about 40 ℃. In yet another example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 338 may be about 45 ℃ to about 80 ℃. Turning to the temperature of the second sub-chamber 308, in one example, it may be about 15 ℃ to about 100 ℃. In another example, the temperature of the second sub-chamber may be about 15 ℃ to about 40 ℃. In yet another example, the temperature of the second sub-chamber may be about 35 ℃ to about 80 ℃. In one example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 338 is substantially similar to the temperature of the second sub-chamber 308 (e.g., within 5%, 3%, or 1%, depending on the example). As another example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 338 is different (e.g., the difference is greater than 5%) from the temperature of the second sub-chamber 308.

The vacuum system 304 is coupled to a third sub-chamber 306. The vacuum system 304 may be configured in various ways, as discussed in detail in fig. 4. The vacuum system 304 is configured to establish a vacuum pressure in the third sub-chamber 306. The pressure established in the third sub-chamber 306 may be less than the pressure of the first sub-chamber such that the pressure differential facilitates the formation of a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent through the component 316 in the second sub-chamber. It should be appreciated that if component 316 is not located in second sub-chamber 308, a fluid path still exists in the second sub-chamber and a pressurized flow may still be created in response to the pressure differential. In this example, the fluid path created by the pressure differential may extend along a central axis of the second subchamber 308. Thus, the resulting pressurized flow may be used to clean or coat the second sub-chamber 308. In another example when no component 316 is coupled to the cleaning system 300, agitation (e.g., rotational speed) of the first cleaning agent in the first sub-chamber 310 by the agitator 330 may be used to create a vortex to clean or coat the second sub-chamber 308.

A waste container 346 is coupled to the third sub-chamber 306 and is configured to remove the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber 306. After the pressure cycle is completed, the first cleaning agent may be removed from the third subchamber 306. In another example, the first cleaning agent may be removed from the third subchamber 306 during one or more pressure cycles. A filtration system 334 is coupled to the first subchamber 310 and the third subchamber 306. The filtration system 334 includes one or more first conduits 336A coupled to the third subchamber 306 and at least one filter 332. The waste container 346 may be configured to permanently remove the unfiltered first cleaning agent. For example, the first cleaning agent in the third subchamber 306 (which may contain contaminants removed from the internal passages of the component 316) is removed from the system 300 so that once the vacuum system 304 is deactivated, it does not fall back into the component 316 and contaminate the component 316. When the filtration system 334 is in use, the one or more first conduits 336A remove the used first cleaning agent from the third subchamber 306. The at least one filter 332 is coupled to one or more first conduits 336A and one or more second conduits 336B, the second conduits 336B being further coupled to the first subchamber 310. In some examples, multiple filters having different materials, sizes, and/or pore sizes may be used as the at least one filter 332. These materials may include various ceramics and composite materials. In one example, the used first cleaning agent is transported from the third subchamber 306 through at least one filter 332 to remove contaminants removed by the first cleaning agent from the internal passage of the component 316. The filtered first cleaning agent is then transported back to the first subchamber 310 via one or more second conduits 336B. The filtered first cleaning agent may also be referred to as a "recycled" first cleaning agent. In one example, the filtered first cleaning agent is used alone to form the pressurized stream. In another example, the filtered first cleaning agent may be used in combination with new, unused cleaning agent from the first container 340 to form one or more pressurized streams through the internal passage 350 during one or more pressure cycles.

Thus, the cleaning system 300 may be used to clean one or more internal passages 350 of the component 316. When the vacuum system 304 is activated, the cleaning system 300 may form multiple pressurized flows through the internal passage 350 of the component 316 during the pressure cycle. During each pressurized flow, a first cleaning agent is directed through the internal passage 350. Each pressure cycle may include one or more filtration cycles during which the first wash agent is transported from the third subchamber 306 through the filtration system 334 and back into the first subchamber 310. The cleaning system 300 thus removes contaminants and the first cleaning agent from the internal passage 350, thereby enabling the component 316 to be assembled back into an industrial device or aerospace component or other component.

Vacuum system

Fig. 4 depicts an example vacuum system 400 in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The example vacuum system 400 may be similar to the vacuum system 304 in fig. 3 and may be configured to establish a pressure in the third sub-chamber 306. In this example, the vacuum system 400 includes a vacuum pump 402 coupled to a buffer chamber 404. The vacuum pump 402 is configured to establish a pressure in at least one sub-chamber of the cleaning chamber 302. The pressure established by the vacuum pump 402 may be about 0.01 pascal (Pa) to about 1 Pa. The buffer chamber 404 may be configured to regulate the pressure established by the vacuum pump 402 via a valve 406 coupled to both the buffer chamber 404 and the purge chamber 302. In some examples, valve 406 may be coupled directly or indirectly to third sub-chamber 306 of wash chamber 302.

Multi-chamber stacking cleaning system

Fig. 5 depicts a washing system 500 according to aspects of the present disclosure. A plurality of programmable logic that may be configured to execute one or more washing procedures by the washing system 500 as discussed herein may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., data storage 542). The data store 542 may be local to the washing system 500 or may be remotely accessed by a plurality of hardware 544 included in the washing system 500. In other examples, the washing system 500 may be manually operated using one or more buttons, switches, or other elements to activate and enable the plurality of hardware 544.

Cleaning system 500 includes a cleaning chamber 518, cleaning chamber 518 being divided into a plurality of sub-chambers forming a stack of sub-chambers. Each subchamber stack of the cleaning system 500 is configured to hold a plurality of components. The cleaning system 500 may be configured to perform one or more cleaning procedures to remove contaminants from the internal passage from one or more components. The cleaning system 500 may also be configured to remove contaminants from the exterior surfaces of one or more components. In cleaning system 500, each of a plurality of cleaning chambers 518 includes a first sub-chamber 506, a second sub-chamber 504, and a third sub-chamber 502. The sub-chambers (506, 504, 502) may also each be divided to form a plurality of sub-chamber stacks, each configured to clean at least one component in one or more of a simultaneous, overlapping, and/or sequential manner.

In one example, the second subchamber 504 is divided into a plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F. The components may be located in one or more of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F to clean the individual components in one or more of a simultaneous, overlapping, and/or sequential manner, for example, using the methods 100 and 200 discussed above. In some examples, the cleaning system 500 may subdivide the first sub-chamber 506 into a plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. In this example, a first divider 522 separates each of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F from an adjacent second sub-chamber 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 506F. Each of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F may be separated from an adjacent first sub-chamber via a plurality of first partitions 524. Similarly, each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F is separated from an adjacent second subchamber via a plurality of second partitions 526. Each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F is separated from the corresponding third subchamber 502 by a second partition 520.

The configuration of each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E and 504F (particularly when components are located in these second subchambers) is discussed in detail below in fig. 6. In another example that may be combined with any other example herein, the third sub-chamber 502 may be divided into a plurality of third sub-chambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F using a plurality of third partitions 528. As described above, each combination of sub-chambers configured to perform a cleaning procedure on a component may be referred to herein as a "sub-chamber stack. Thus, the first sub-chamber stack of the cleaning system 500 will include 506A, 504A, and 502A, the second sub-chamber stack will include 506B, 504B, and 502B, and so on, as each sub-chamber stack includes a first sub-chamber (506X, where "X" is A, B, C, D, E or F), a second sub-chamber (504X), and a third sub-chamber (502X).

Vacuum system 536 is coupled to third sub-chamber 502 of cleaning chamber 518. Vacuum system 536 may be similar to vacuum system 400 in fig. 4. In examples where the third sub-chamber 502 is divided into the plurality of third sub-chambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F using the plurality of third partitions 528, the vacuum system 536 may be coupled to each of the plurality of third sub-chambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F. In examples where the first sub-chamber 506 is divided into a plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F, each first sub-chamber may have a corresponding agitator (516A, 516B, 516C, 516D, 516E, and 516F) optionally coupled thereto. Each respective agitator (516A, 516B, 516C, 516D, 516E, and 516F) may be configured to generate a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent. In other examples, each respective agitator (516A, 516B, 516C, 516D, 516E, and 516F) may be configured to additionally or alternatively agitate the first cleaning agent to induce a plurality of bubbles in the first cleaning agent, depending on whether linear flow or vortex flow is desired. The first container 514 may be configured to hold a supply of a first cleaning agent. The first container 514 may be coupled to one or more of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. A first cleaning agent may be introduced from the first container 514 into each of the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. The first temperature controller 512 may be coupled to a first container 514. The temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 514 may be about 15 ℃ to about 40 ℃. The first temperature controller 512 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to one or more of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F to modulate the respective temperatures.

In some examples (not shown), each of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F has a separate temperature controller coupled thereto to independently control the temperature of the first cleaning agent and/or each of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. Each temperature of the first plurality of sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F may be about 15 ℃ to about 40 ℃. Further, at least one temperature of the first plurality of sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F may be different from the temperature of other first sub-chambers of the first plurality of sub-chambers. In one example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 514 is substantially similar (e.g., within 5%, 3%, or 1%, depending on the example) to the temperature of one or more of the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. In another example, the temperature of the first cleaning agent in the first container 514 is different (e.g., the difference is greater than 5%) from the temperature of one or more of the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F.

The vacuum system 536 is configured to establish a pressure differential from the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F to the third subchamber 502 or the plurality of third subchambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F to form one or more pressurized streams of the first cleaning agent (one or more of which may be a vortex) as discussed above with respect to fig. 3. A plurality of leak, temperature, and/or other sensors 508 may be configured to the system 500 in various configurations to further ensure that the sub-chambers remain fluidly isolated to at least facilitate a pressure differential for creating the pressurized flow.

A second container 510 is coupled to each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F. Second container 510 is configured to introduce a second cleaning agent into one or more of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F to clean the exterior surfaces of components (not shown) located therein. The second cleaning agent may be applied from the second container 510 as a liquid, spray, mist, or condensed vapor from a pool of boiling liquid. In some examples, a second temperature controller 530 is coupled to the second vessel 510 and one or both of the one or more of the plurality of second sub-chambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F to regulate the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second vessel 510 or the temperature of the plurality of second sub-chambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F.

In some examples (not shown here), each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F has a separate temperature controller coupled thereto to independently control the temperature of the second cleaning agent and/or the temperature of each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F. In one example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 510 is substantially similar (e.g., within 5%, 3%, or 1%, depending on the example) to the temperature of one or more of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F. In another example, the temperature of the second cleaning agent in the second container 510 is different (e.g., the difference is greater than 5%) from the temperature of one or more of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F.

An example filter system 534 is also shown in fig. 5. The example filtration system 534 includes a first conduit 518A coupled to the third subchamber 502 and at least one filter 532. The one or more first conduits 518A remove the used first rinsing agent from the third sub-chamber 502. The at least one filter 532 is coupled to the one or more first conduits 518A and the one or more second conduits 518B. The second conduit 518B is also coupled to each of the plurality of first sub-chambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. In some examples, multiple filters having different materials, sizes, and/or pore sizes may be used as the at least one filter 532. The used first cleaning agent is passed through at least one filter 532 to remove contaminants from the first cleaning agent. The contaminants in the first cleaning agent are created by passing the first cleaning agent through internal passages of components (not shown) located in one or more of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F. The filtered first cleaning agent is delivered back to one or more of the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F via one or more second conduits 518B. The filtered first cleaning agent may also be referred to as a "recycled" first cleaning agent, and may be used alone or in combination with new, unused cleaning agent from the first vessel 514 during one or more pressure cycles. As described above, when the vacuum system 304 is activated, multiple pressurized flows may be formed during a pressure cycle.

In examples where the third sub-chamber 502 is divided into multiple third sub-chambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F, a separate filtration system 534 and/or a separate first conduit 518A may be coupled to each of the multiple third sub-chambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F. Similarly, a separate second conduit 518B may be coupled to one or more of the plurality of first subchambers 506A, 506B, 506C, 506D, 506E, and 506F. In one example, the filtration system 534 may be configured to return filtered wash agent from a third subchamber of a particular subchamber stack to the first subchamber of the same stack, e.g., from 506A to 502A. In another example, the filtration system 534 may be configured to return filtered wash agent from a third subchamber of a particular subchamber stack to a first subchamber of another different stack, e.g., from 506A to 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, or 502F. Similar to the waste container 346 in fig. 3, the waste container 540 may be coupled to one or more of the plurality of third subchambers 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D, 502E, and 502F, and the first cleaning agent may be permanently removed from the system.

In one example, one or more cleaning procedures associated with the cleaning system 500 may be performed simultaneously in each sub-chamber stack. In other examples, one or more cleaning procedures associated with the cleaning system 500 may be performed independently without overlap in each sub-chamber stack. Such independent executions may occur sequentially in various orders or combinations of orders. In still other examples, one or more cleaning procedures associated with the cleaning system 500 may be performed in an overlapping manner in which execution of a first cleaning procedure in a first sub-chamber stack overlaps with a portion of execution of a second cleaning procedure in a second sub-chamber stack.

Fig. 6 depicts a portion 600 of a washing system 500 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Portion 600 of cleaning system 500 in fig. 6 shows a plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E and 504F in more detail. In fig. 6, each of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F has a component (606A, 606B, 606C, 606D, 606E, 606F) located therein. In other examples of the system 500, fewer than all of the plurality of second subchambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F have components located therein. In some examples, none of the plurality of second sub-chambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F has components located therein and a cleaning procedure can be performed to clean the plurality of second sub-chambers 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D, 504E, and 504F.

As shown in fig. 6, each component 606A, 606B, 606C, 606D, 606E, 606F has an outer surface; a first end 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D, 610E, 610F and a second end 608A, 608C, 608D, 608E, 608F. Further, each member 606A, 606B, 606C, 606D, 606E, 606F has at least one internal passage (not shown here, but similar to internal passage 350 in fig. 3) extending therethrough from each first end 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D, 610E, 610F to each corresponding second end 608A, 608B, 608C, 608D, 608E, 608F. Each internal passage of each component 606A, 606B, 606C, 606D, 606E, 606F thus forms a path for a pressurized flow, which may be linear flow or swirl, as described above.

Each of the first ends 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D, 610E, 610F is removably coupled to a respective first coupling mechanism 614A, 614B, 614C, 614D, 614E, 614F. Similarly, each of the second ends 608A, 608B, 608C, 608D, 608E, 608F is coupled to a respective second coupling mechanism 612A, 612B, 612C, 612D, 612E, 612F. The first spacer 522 has a plurality of first through holes 616. Each first coupling mechanism 614A, 614B, 614C, 614D, 614E, 614F is at least partially disposed in a through-hole of the plurality of through-holes 616. The second spacer 520 has a plurality of second through-holes 618, with each second coupling mechanism 612A, 612B, 612C, 612D, 612E, 612F being at least partially disposed in each second through-hole 618, respectively. A first seal is formed between each first coupling mechanism 614A, 614B, 614C, 614D, 614E, 614F and the plurality of first through holes 616. Similarly, a second seal is formed between each second coupling mechanism 612A, 612B, 612C, 612D, 612E, 612F and the plurality of second through-holes 618. Thus, each of first subchamber 506, second subchamber 504, and third subchamber 502 maintains at least one of a separate and/or different pressure, temperature, and chemical environment due to the seals formed. As described above, the chemical environment of each sub-chamber may be different and may include: ambient air and/or one or more types of cleaning agents, which may have different chemical reactions and compositions. For example, each subchamber may contain a different type (composition or phase) of cleaning agent, filtered cleaning agent, or fresh cleaning agent.

Thus, the systems and methods discussed herein effectively and effectively remove contaminants from the internal passages and/or external surfaces of various types of components without leaving harmful residues. The cleaning methods discussed herein can be performed in a timely manner, faster than current cleaning methods, while achieving a level of cleanliness equal to or greater than those methods. The cleaning methods and systems discussed herein additionally clean the components discussed herein without negatively impacting the dimensional integrity or surface finish and/or coatings of the components. The component may then be returned to an industrial device or assembly, such as an aerospace assembly, and the industrial device or assembly may be run or otherwise used without being adversely affected by contaminants in the internal passages or residues left behind by cleaning agents in the internal passages.

In the present disclosure, reference is made to various aspects. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specifically described aspects. Rather, any combination of the above-described features and elements, whether related to different aspects or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the teachings provided herein. Additionally, when an element of the various aspects is described as "at least one of a and B," it will be understood that aspects are contemplated that include element a exclusively, element B exclusively, and both elements a and B. Moreover, although some aspects may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given aspect is not a limitation of the present disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features, aspects and advantages disclosed herein are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, references to "the invention" should not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and should not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects described herein may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware aspect, an entirely software aspect (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an aspect combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit," module "or" system. Furthermore, aspects described herein may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

Program code embodied on a computer readable storage medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider).

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, or out of order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Further, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses:

1. a washing system (300), the washing system (300) comprising:

a cleaning chamber (302), the cleaning chamber (302) comprising:

a first sub-chamber (310), the first sub-chamber (310) configured to hold a first cleaning agent;

a second sub-chamber (308), the second sub-chamber (308) being adjacent to the first sub-chamber (310);

a first divider (314), the first divider (314) located between the first sub-chamber (310) and the second sub-chamber (308), the first divider (314) having a first aperture (342) formed in the first divider (314);

a third sub-chamber (306), the third sub-chamber (306) being adjacent to the second sub-chamber (308) and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and

a second divider (312), the second divider (312) located between the second sub-chamber (308) and the third sub-chamber (306), the second divider (312) having a second aperture (344) formed in the second divider (312), the first aperture (342) and the second aperture (314) configured to form a fluid path through the second sub-chamber (308); and

a vacuum system (304), the vacuum system (304) coupled to the third sub-chamber (306), the vacuum system (304) configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber (306) that is less than a pressure of the first sub-chamber (310) to cause a pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber (310) to the third sub-chamber (306); and

a filtration system (334), the filtration system (334) coupled to the first sub-chamber (310) and the third sub-chamber (306), the filtration system (334) configured to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber (306) and return the first cleaning agent to the first sub-chamber (310).

2. The washing system (300) according to clause 1, the washing system (300) further comprising:

a first coupling mechanism (322), the first coupling mechanism (322) removably coupled to the first divider (314) via the first aperture (342); and

a second coupling mechanism (318), the second coupling mechanism (318) removably coupled to the second divider (312) via the second aperture (344).

3. The washing system (300) according to clause 2, the washing system (300) further comprising:

a component (316), the component (316) located in the second sub-chamber (308), the component (316) having:

a first end (324) of the component (316), the first end (324) being removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism (322);

a second end (320) of the component (316), the second end (320) being removably coupled to the second coupling mechanism (318);

an outer surface (352); and

an inner surface (360), the inner surface (360) defining at least one interior channel (350) extending from the first end (324) of the component (316) to the second end (320) of the component (316).

4. The washing system (300) of clause 2, wherein each of the first coupling mechanism (322) and the second coupling mechanism (318) comprises a press-fit mechanism, a clamp, an adhesive, a magnetic chuck, or a combination thereof.

5. The washing system (300) according to any of clauses 1-4, the washing system (300) further comprising: a temperature controller (326), the temperature controller (326) coupled to the first sub-chamber (310), the temperature controller (326) configured to regulate a temperature of the first sub-chamber (310).

6. The washing system (300) according to any of clauses 1-5, the washing system (300) further comprising: a first container (340), the first container (340) coupled to the first sub-chamber (310), the first container (340) having the first cleaning agent therein and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber (310).

7. The washing system (300) according to any of clauses 1-6, the washing system (300) further comprising: a second container (338), the second container (338) coupled to the second subchamber (308), the second container (338) having a second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second subchamber (308).

8. A washing system (500), the washing system (500) comprising:

a plurality of cleaning chambers (518), each cleaning chamber of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518) comprising:

a first sub-chamber (506), the first sub-chamber (506) configured to hold a first cleaning agent;

an agitator (516), the agitator (516) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506), the agitator (516) configured to initiate and maintain a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent;

a second sub-chamber (504), the second sub-chamber (504) being adjacent to the first sub-chamber (506);

a first divider (522), the first divider (522) located between the first sub-chamber (506) and the second sub-chamber (504), the first divider (522) having a plurality of first apertures formed therein;

a third sub-chamber (502), the third sub-chamber (502) adjacent to the second sub-chamber (504) and configured to receive the first cleaning agent; and

a second divider (520), the second divider (520) located between the second sub-chamber (504) and the third sub-chamber (502), the second divider formed with a plurality of second apertures (618), each of the plurality of first apertures and each of the plurality of second apertures configured to form a fluid path through the second sub-chamber;

a vacuum system (536), the vacuum system (536) coupled with the third sub-chamber (502) of each of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518), the vacuum system (536) configured to generate a pressure in the third sub-chamber (502), the pressure of the third sub-chamber (502) being less than a pressure of the first sub-chamber (506) to cause a pressurized flow of a first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber (506) to the third sub-chamber (502); and

a filtration system (534), the filtration system (534) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506) and the third sub-chamber (502) of each of the plurality of cleaning chambers (518), the filtration system (534) configured to remove and filter the first cleaning agent from the third sub-chamber (502) of each cleaning chamber and return the filtered first cleaning agent to the first sub-chamber (506) of each cleaning chamber.

9. The washing system (500) according to clause 8, the washing system (500) further comprising:

a first coupling mechanism (614A-614F), the first coupling mechanism (614A-614F) removably coupled to the first divider (522) via a first through-hole of a plurality of first through-holes (616); and

a second coupling mechanism (612A-612F), the second coupling mechanism (612A-612F) removably coupled to the second divider (520) via a second through-hole of the plurality of second through-holes (618).

10. The washing system (500) according to clause 9, the washing system (500) further comprising:

a component (606A-606F), said component (606A-606F) located in said second sub-chamber (504) of at least one of said plurality of wash chambers (518), said component (606A-606F) having:

a first end (610A-610F) of the component (606A-606F), the first end (610A-610F) being removably coupled to the first coupling mechanism (614A-614F);

a second end (608A-608F) of the component (606A-606F), the second end (608A-608F) being removably coupled to the second coupling mechanism (612A-612F);

an outer surface (352); and

an inner surface (360), the inner surface (360) defining at least one internal channel (350) extending from the first end (610A-610F) to the second end (608A-608F) of the component (606A-606F).

11. The washing system (500) according to any of clauses 8-10, the washing system (500) further comprising: a first container (514), the first container (514) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506) of each cleaning chamber, the first container (514) comprising the first cleaning agent and configured to deliver the first cleaning agent into the first sub-chamber (506).

12. The washing system (500) according to any of clauses 8-11, the washing system (500) further comprising: a second container (510), the second container (510) coupled to the second sub-chamber (504) of each cleaning chamber, the second container (510) comprising the second cleaning agent and configured to deliver the second cleaning agent into the second sub-chamber (504).

13. The washing system (500) according to any of clauses 8-12, the washing system (500) further comprising: at least one pressure sensor (508), the at least one pressure sensor (508) coupled to the first sub-chamber (506), the second sub-chamber (504), or the third sub-chamber (503).

14. A method of using a cleaning system, the method comprising the steps of:

(104) executing a cleaning program, wherein the cleaning program comprises:

(202) initiating a first pressure cycle of the cleaning sequence with a first cleaning agent in a first sub-chamber of a cleaning chamber, the first sub-chamber having a first pressure;

during a first pressure cycle (214), (204) activating a vacuum system coupled to a third sub-chamber of the cleaning chamber to establish a second pressure in the third sub-chamber, the second pressure being less than the first pressure, the third sub-chamber being separated from the first sub-chamber by a second sub-chamber,

wherein the second subchamber has a component therein having an outer surface and an inner surface defining at least one internal passage, and

wherein the component is removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via a first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via a second coupling mechanism;

during the first pressure cycle (214), in response to the second pressure being less than the first pressure, (206) creating a first pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove a plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component; and

during the first pressure cycle (214), (212) deactivating the vacuum system, wherein the first pressurized flow of the first cleaning agent is absent from the second subchamber when the vacuum system is deactivated.

15. The method of clause 14, further comprising the steps of:

performing a first filtering cycle (210), the first filtering cycle being included in the washing program and comprising:

(208) transferring the first purging agent from the third subchamber to a filtration system coupled to the third subchamber and the first subchamber, wherein the filtration system removes the plurality of contaminants from the first purging agent to form a filtered first purging agent; and

(208) delivering the filtered first wash agent to the first subchamber via the filtration system.

16. The method of clause 14 or 15, wherein the cleaning procedure comprises: performing a plurality of filtration cycles (210) during a pressure cycle (214) prior to deactivating the vacuum system.

17. The method of clause 14 or 15, further comprising the steps of: after the first filtration cycle, the first filtration cycle is repeated,

during a second pressure cycle (214), (202) creating a rotational speed of the filtered first wash agent when the first sub-chamber is at the first pressure;

during the second pressure cycle (214), (204) activating the vacuum system to establish a third pressure in the third sub-chamber while the component is removably coupled to the first sub-chamber via the first coupling mechanism and removably coupled to the third sub-chamber via the second coupling mechanism, the third pressure being less than the first pressure; and

during the second pressure cycle (214), in response to the third pressure being less than the first pressure, (206) forming a second flow of the first cleaning agent from the first sub-chamber through the at least one internal passage of the component to the third sub-chamber to remove the plurality of contaminants from the at least one internal passage of the component.

18. The method of any of clauses 14 to 17, further comprising the steps of:

during execution of the cleaning procedure, (106) placing a second cleaning agent in the second sub-chamber to remove contaminants from the exterior surface of the component.

19. The method of any of clauses 14 to 18, wherein the first pressure is about atmospheric pressure and the second pressure is about 0.01Pa to about 1 Pa.

20. The method of any of clauses 14-19, wherein the first cleaning agent is selected from the group consisting of: surfactant, degreasing liquid, degreasing gas, ambient air, nitrogen, CO₂And combinations thereof.

21. The method of any of clauses 14-20, wherein the first cleaning agent comprises a plurality of particles having an average diameter of about 0.5mm to 3 mm.

22. The method of clause 21, wherein the plurality of particles is selected from the group consisting of: polymer particles, ceramic particles, glass particles, and combinations thereof.

23. The method of any of clauses 14-22, wherein the first pressurized flow is a linear flow.

24. The method of any of clauses 14 to 23, further comprising the steps of: (202) agitating the first cleaning agent during the first pressure cycle to establish a rotational speed of the first cleaning agent, wherein the first pressurized flow formed by the first cleaning agent having the rotational speed is a vortex.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure, other and further aspects of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.