Ultrasonic optical cleaning system

Abstract

An ultrasonic optical cleaning system is provided for cleaning and deterring the buildup of organic and inorganic particulates from the surface of glassware used in water testing instrumentation. The system includes a transducer that is attached to the surface of the glassware. A connector cap carrying a plurality of spring contacts interconnecting the transducer with an ultrasonic transducer control circuit. The control circuit operates continuously to provide an electrical signal to the transducer that vibrates the transducer and the glassware so that the glassware is cleaned of contaminates.

1 . A system for ultrasonically cleaning glassware in optical water testing equipment, said system comprising: 
 an ultrasonic transducer for securing to the glassware to be cleaned, said transducer including material that vibrates when a selected voltage is applied to said transducer;    a connector for establishing electrical contact with said transducer; and    an ultrasonic control circuit for delivering an electrical signal with the selected voltage through said connector to said transducer such that said transducer vibrates to dislodge particulate matter from the glassware and prevent particulate matter from collecting on the surface of the glassware.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  in which said transducer including a piezoelectric disk and an aluminum disk juxtaposed against and secured to said piezoelectric disk.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  in which an upper surface of said aluminum disk is attachable to the glassware, said piezoelectric disk being secured to an opposite, lower surface of said aluminum disk.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  in which said transducer is attachable to the glassware by an adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  in which said connector includes a connector cap comprising a plurality of contacts for energizing said transducer.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  in which said contacts are slidably engagable with said transducer to maintain electrical contact with said transducer when said transducer and the glassware are adjusted in the testing equipment.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  in which said contacts comprise spring contacts carried by an upper portion of said cap for electrically engaging said transducer.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  in which said springs are longitudinally retractable within said cap.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  in which said spring contacts comprise coil spring contacts.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2  in which said connector includes an outer coil spring contact that is interengagable with said aluminum disk and a second inner coil spring contact that is interengagable with said piezoelectric disk.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 5  in which said cap includes an annular wall surrounding said contacts for receiving said transducer and an attached lower end of the glassware, said wall for holding the glassware in place with said transducer engaging said contacts.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7  in which lower ends of said spring contacts are electrically connected to said ultrasonic control circuit.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  in which said control circuit includes an ultrasonic printed circuit board for operably mounting to a printed circuit board that controls operation of the water testing equipment, said control circuit for being electrically powered by an operating circuit of the test equipment.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  in which said control circuit generates signals having a series of frequencies, including the resonant frequency of said transducer and glassware to which said transducer is attached such that said transducer and glassware vibrate sufficiently to maintain the surface of the glassware substantially free of particulate build-up.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  in which said control circuit continuously and repeatedly sweeps through a predetermined series of frequencies.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  in which said selected signal includes the resonant frequency of the transducer and glassware to which said transducer is secured.