Method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring temperature differences within a cavitation chamber

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a temperature difference between two regions within a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation chamber is partially filled with cavitation fluid, thereby forming a cavitation fluid free surface which divides the chamber into a first region located above the cavitation fluid free surface and a second region located below the cavitation fluid free surface. The region above the cavitation fluid free surface is heated in order to form the desired temperature difference, heat being provided by a resistive heater or other means. In addition to heating the region above the cavitation fluid free surface, the region below the cavitation fluid free surface can be cooled, for example utilizing a refrigerated container, refrigeration coils, a thermoelectric cooler, or other means. A temperature monitor can be thermally coupled to the first region, the second region, or both.

1 . A cavitation system comprising: 
 a cavitation chamber;    means for heating a first region of said cavitation chamber to a first temperature, wherein during operation of said cavitation system said first region is located above a cavitation fluid free surface, and wherein said first temperature is greater than a second temperature corresponding to the temperature of a cavitation fluid contained within said cavitation chamber during operation of said cavitation system; and    at least one cavitation driver coupled to said cavitation chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is mounted in proximity to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to said first region.  
   
   
       3 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is bonded to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to said first region.  
   
   
       4 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is mounted within a portion of a wall of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said wall is adjacent to said first region.  
   
   
       5 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is comprised of at least one resistive heater.  
   
   
       6 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , wherein said first temperature is at least 10° C. higher than said second temperature.  
   
   
       7 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for cooling said cavitation fluid contained within said cavitation chamber during operation of said cavitation system to said second temperature.  
   
   
       8 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is mounted in proximity to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid free surface.  
   
   
       9 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is bonded to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid free surface.  
   
   
       10 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is mounted within a portion of a wall of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said wall is adjacent to a second region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid free surface.  
   
   
       11 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is comprised of at least one thermoelectric cooler.  
   
   
       12 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is comprised of a refrigeration coil.  
   
   
       13 . The cavitation system of  claim 7 , wherein said cooling means is comprised of a refrigerated container, and wherein said cavitation chamber is housed within said refrigerated container.  
   
   
       14 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature monitor thermally coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to said first region.  
   
   
       15 . The cavitation system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised of a thermocouple.  
   
   
       16 . The cavitation system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised of a thermistor.  
   
   
       17 . The cavitation system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is mounted within said portion of said exterior surface of said cavitation chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature monitor thermally coupled to a portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid free surface.  
   
   
       19 . The cavitation system of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised of a thermocouple.  
   
   
       20 . The cavitation system of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is comprised of a thermistor.  
   
   
       21 . The cavitation system of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one temperature monitor is mounted within said portion of said exterior surface of said cavitation chamber.  
   
   
       22 . The cavitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first temperature monitor thermally coupled to a first portion of an exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said first portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to said first region; and    a second temperature monitor thermally coupled to a second portion of said exterior surface of said cavitation chamber, wherein said second portion of said exterior surface is adjacent to a second region of said cavitation chamber containing said cavitation fluid during operation of said cavitation system and located below said cavitation fluid free surface.    
   
   
       23 . A method of creating a temperature difference within a cavitation chamber, the method comprising the steps of: 
 partially filling the cavitation chamber with a cavitation fluid, wherein said partial filling step creates a cavitation fluid free surface within the cavitation chamber;    degassing said cavitation fluid within said cavitation chamber;    heating a first region of said cavitation chamber to a first temperature, wherein said first region is located above said cavitation fluid free surface, and wherein said first temperature is greater than a second temperature corresponding to the temperature of said cavitation fluid contained within said cavitation chamber; and    cavitating said cavitation fluid within said cavitation chamber.    
   
   
       24 . The cavitation system of  claim 23 , wherein the temperature difference created by said heating step is at least 10° C. between said first region and said second region.  
   
   
       25 . The cavitation system of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of cooling said second region.  
   
   
       26 . The cavitation system of  claim 25 , wherein the temperature difference created by said heating and cooling steps is at least 10° C. between said first region and said second region.