Abstract:
A dynamic cyclic nucleation transport (D-CNX) process can be used to wet process an object, such as cleaning or etching. In the D-CNX process, the chamber volume is cyclically enlarged and reduced, effectively reducing and increasing the chamber pressure, respectively. During the pressure reduction phase, bubbles can be generated, which can be terminated or travel to the liquid surface during the pressure increment phase. The generation and termination of bubbles can clean or etch the object, even in hard to reach places.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/635,287, filed on Apr. 18, 2012, entitled “Dynamic chamber for cycle nucleation technology”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Parts or devices with complex shapes pose a special challenge for cleaning due to small openings, internal dead spaces, blind holes and other hard to access places within the part. Traditional sprays and sonic agitation cannot access these areas effectively and even if they could it would be difficult or impossible to remove loosened debris and contaminated cleaning solutions from these parts. Even complex manifold flow connections cannot effectively flush contamination from trapped areas and dead spaces within some parts. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In some embodiments, a dynamic cyclic nucleation transport (D-CNX) process is disclosed, including cyclically changing the volume of a process chamber, for example, through a piston or bellows. A D-CNX process and system can include a dynamic chamber volume that can instantly change from vacuum to pressure conditions and eliminates vacuum pumps. The potential benefits of the D-CNX process can include faster than using vacuum pumps to create pressure differences, no net evaporative cooling loss as a result of vapors being drawn from the solution and through the vacuum pump with every CNX cycle; chemistry mixture remains constant due to the fact that volatile components will be re-condensed with every CNX cycle rather than be removed through the vacuum pump; no vacuum pump is required, along with associated pipes, valves, surge tanks and isolation tanks; potentially flammable vapors (if present) are not concentrated and exposed to atmosphere through vacuum pumps; greater efficiency (&lt;½ the power) due to the ability to recapture potential energy during the re-compression cycle; and continuous recycling and filtering of fluid through the process chamber with each CNX cycle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate exemplary regimes of dynamic chamber operation according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate an exemplary dynamic chamber using bellows according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate an exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate various movement mechanisms for moving a piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  illustrates a CNX system according to some embodiments. An object  840  is submerged in a liquid  812  in a chamber. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary flow chart for a cleaning process according to some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The development of Cycle Nucleation Transport (CNX) technology represented a breakthrough in addressing the aforementioned problem. With CNX it was possible to grow and collapse vapor bubbles in a vacuum environment which would displace fluids and dislodge contamination from hidden surfaces independent of boundary layers and geometries which would otherwise block any cleaning agitation or displacement. A key attribute of CNX is that all surfaces see the same pressure in a pressure controlled environment. Therefore, vapor bubbles will be created at any surface, whether hidden from direct view or not. As long as the pressure is held below the fluid vapor pressure, nucleation continues unabated and displacement currents continue to flow. Upon re-pressurization the vapor bubbles collapse and bring both fresh fluid and kinetic energy to the surface. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying an object using cyclic CNX technology with a dynamic chamber concept. Dynamic chamber processing can significantly simplify the cleaning and drying equipment, for example, by eliminating vacuum pumps or power during the cyclic process. In addition, the consumables can be recoverable, for example, vapor byproducts from the dynamic chamber can be captured instead of released to the environment. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses a dynamic chamber cyclic cleaning process, comprising cyclically changing the volume of a process chamber, for example, through a piston or bellows. In some embodiments, high temperatures, e.g., from a saturated or superheated liquid, can be used, which provides additional benefits of more efficient cleaning and cheaper liquid medium. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses Dynamic Chamber CNX (D-CNX) process, which comprises a dynamic chamber volume that can instantly change from vacuum to pressure conditions and eliminates vacuum pumps. The potential benefits of the present D-CNX technology can include: D-CNX cycles 10-20 times faster than CNX using vacuum pumps and valves to create pressure differences; no net evaporative cooling loss as a result of vapors being drawn from the solution and through the vacuum pump with every CNX cycle; chemistry mixture remains constant due to the fact that volatile components will be re-condensed with every CNX cycle rather than be removed through the vacuum pump; no vacuum pump is required, along with associated pipes, valves, surge tanks and isolation tanks; potentially flammable vapors (if present) are not concentrated and exposed to atmosphere through vacuum pumps; greater efficiency (&lt;½ the power) due to the ability to recapture potential energy during the re-compression cycle; and continuous recycling and filtering of fluid through the process chamber with each CNX cycle 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate exemplary regimes of dynamic chamber operation according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 1A , a dynamic chamber  100  comprises volume changing capability, such as having a movable wall  130 . The dynamic chamber  100  can be filled with a liquid  110 , with an object  140  submerged in the liquid. During the cyclic movements  120  of the wall  130 , the pressure in the chamber  100  changes from high to low, terminating and generating bubbles at the object surfaces. For example, when the chamber wall  130  is extended, e.g., enlarging the volume of the chamber  100 , vacuum is generated in the chamber, lowering the pressure and causing the liquid to boil. When the liquid boils, bubbles are generated. When the chamber wall  130  is contracted, e.g., reducing the volume of the chamber  100 , the liquid is pressurized, causing the liquid to stop boiling. When the liquid stops boiling, bubbles are terminated, which can provide energy to the adhered particles, dislodging the particles from the object and releasing the particles to the liquid. An optional heater  170  can be included to heat the liquid, enlarging the process window, e.g., making the liquid boil and stop boiling with smaller change of pressure. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  show the chamber volume reducing and enlarging, respectively. In  FIG. 1B , force  122  is applied to the chamber wall, moving the chamber wall to position  132 , reducing the volume of the chamber. For example, the volume is reduced so that there is no gaseous portion in the chamber, only the liquid portion  112 . Under the high pressure, the liquid does not boil, and the bubbles are terminated. In  FIG. 1C , force  124  is applied to the chamber wall, moving the chamber wall to position  134 , enlarging the volume of the chamber. For example, the volume is enlarged to generate a vacuum portion  114  above the liquid portion  112 . Under the low pressure, the liquid can start boiling, generating bubbles  116  on the surfaces of the object  140 . The cyclic movements of the chamber wall can generate a cyclic nucleation and termination of the bubbles, cleaning the object surfaces. 
         [0021]    The present dynamic chamber cycle nucleation technology can provide significant benefits, including simplifying equipment, expanded temperature ranges, e.g., higher temperatures are associated with faster reaction rates which increases part processing speed and cleaning effectiveness; greater use of pure water and steam at elevated temperatures to clean without the use of dangerous, expensive, or environmentally unfriendly chemicals; more efficient drying, which can be aided by the elevated temperatures as well as the ability for expanding vapor bubbles to rapidly displace trapped liquid on the surfaces of a part; elimination of vacuum pumps since pressure can be released to atmospheric pressure; usage of DI water, which at high temperature and pressure can offer superior cleaning and degreasing without solvents; simple design; and in-situ drying using saturated or superheated steam. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate an exemplary dynamic chamber using bellows according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 2A , an object  240  is submerged in a liquid  212  in a chamber  200 . The container is preferably totally filled with the liquid  212 , without any head space of vapor. A relief valve  250  can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any gaseous elements in the chamber  200 . A bellows  232  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber  200 . As shown, a force  222  is pushing on the bellows, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the liquid comprises water, for example, water or water solutions with dissolved chemicals such as cleaning chemical. In some embodiments, the temperature of the water solutions can be above 100° C., such as between 100 and 200° C. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 2B , a force  224  is pulling on the bellows, enlarging the volume of the chamber  200 . Vacuum head space  214  appears on top of the liquid portion  212 , together with bubbles  216  on the surfaces of the object  240 , and also on the chamber surface. 
         [0025]    When the volume of the chamber is reduced, for example, by pushing the bellows with force  222 , the bubbles are terminated, cleaning the object surfaces. 
         [0026]    The process can be repeated until the object is cleaned, or when it is no longer optimized, for example, then the liquid is filled with the particles released from the object surface. The liquid can be replaced with a fresh liquid, and the cyclic cleaning process can re-start. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate an exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 3A , an object  340  is submerged in a liquid  312  in a chamber  300 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  312 , without any head space of vapor. An optional relief valve can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  332  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  322  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 3B , a force  324  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the chamber. Vacuum head space  314  appears on top of the liquid portion  312 , together with bubbles  316  on the surfaces of the object  340 , and also on the chamber surface. 
         [0029]    When the volume of the chamber is reduced, for example, by pushing the piston with force  322 , the bubbles are terminated, cleaning the object surfaces. 
         [0030]    The process can be repeated until the object is cleaned, or when it is no longer optimized, for example, then the liquid is filled with the particles released from the object surface. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 4A , an object  440  is submerged in a liquid  412  in a chamber  400 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  412 , without any head space of vapor. An optional relief valve can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  432  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  422  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. A chamber  460  is coupled to the opposite side of the piston, containing liquid  464  with a head space  462  opened to atmosphere. The liquid  464  can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, since the liquid  464  can balance the liquid  412 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4B , a force  424  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the process chamber. Vacuum head space  414  appears on top of the liquid portion  412 , together with bubbles  416  on the surfaces of the object  440 , and also on the chamber surface. The liquid  464  rises in chamber  460 , reducing the head space  462 . 
         [0033]    When the volume of the chamber is reduced, for example, by pushing the piston with force  422 , the bubbles are terminated, cleaning the object surfaces. 
         [0034]    The process can be repeated until the object is cleaned, or when it is no longer optimized, for example, then the liquid is filled with the particles released from the object surface. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 5A , an object  540  is submerged in a liquid  512  in a chamber  500 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  512 , without any head space of vapor. A relief valve, such as check valve  550 , can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any excess liquid or gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  532  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  522  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. A chamber  560  is coupled to the opposite side of the piston, containing liquid with a head space coupled to the relief valve  550 . The liquid can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, together with replenishing the liquid in the process chamber. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 5B , a force  524  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the process chamber. Vacuum head space  514  appears on top of the liquid portion  512 , together with bubbles  516  on the surfaces of the object  540 , and also on the chamber surface. The liquid  564  rises in chamber  560 . 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 5C , a force  526  is further pulling on the piston, passing a conduit  568  of the chamber  560 , releasing some liquid from chamber  560  to the process chamber. The liquid in the chamber can increase, and thus during the pushing of the piston, excess liquid can return to the chamber  560 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate various movement mechanisms for moving a piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. The mechanisms can be used for moving other components, such as moving a bellows or a chamber wall of the dynamic chamber. In  FIG. 6A , a dynamic chamber  610  comprises a piston  630  for changing the volume. The piston  630  is coupled to a crank shaft system  600 , which comprises a rotating motor drive  610 , moving shaft  614 . In  FIG. 6B , a crank shaft system  602  comprises a rotating motor drive  620 , moving shaft  622  which is coupled to a sliding bearing  624 . In  FIG. 6C , a scissor system  604  comprises a rotating motor drive  640 , moving shaft  642  which is coupled to scissor arms  646 . The scissor arms are coupled to a support  647  and a sliding bearing  644 . The sliding bearing  644  is supported by support  648 . A crank shaft  641  can be used to rotate the system  640 . Other mechanisms can be used, such as linear drive motor, drive cylinders, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, and rotational reciprocation using crankshaft with connecting rod and flywheel. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 7A , an object  740  is submerged in a liquid  712  in a chamber  700 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  712 , without any head space of vapor. However, the chamber can be almost filled, with the piston retracted to enlarge the volume of the chamber. Thus when the piston is extended, e.g., reducing the chamber volume, the gaseous portion can be expelled, forming a totally filled chamber. A relief valve, such as check valve  750 , can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any excess liquid or gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  732  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  722  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, and optionally terminating any bubbles. The other end of the relief valve  750  can be coupled to a reservoir, which can be coupled to the opposite side of the piston. The liquid can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, together with replenishing the liquid in the process chamber. A conduit can be coupled to the chamber through a valve element  766 . A drain valve  727  can be use to drain the liquid from the chamber. 
         [0040]    An optional ultrasonic element  729  can couple to the chamber, for example, to provide excitation energy to the object  740 . The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low, for example, frequencies between 20 kHz to 400 kHz. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low enough not to generate any bobbles in the liquid or on the object. The ultrasonic element can be used for vibrating the object or the liquid surrounding the object, so that bubbles formed on the object can be detached. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 7B , a force  724  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the process chamber. Valve  766  can be open, for example, either by actively opening the valve or be actuated by the pulling action of the piston. Liquid can flow to the chamber during the chamber volume enlargement. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7C , a force  726  is further pulling on the piston. The rate of liquid flow  768  can be less than the rate of chamber volume enlargement, thus vacuum head space can be formed. Vacuum head space can appear on top of the liquid portion, together with bubbles  716  on the surfaces of the object  740 , and also on the chamber surface. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 7D , the ultrasonic element can apply energy to the liquid and object, releasing  746  the bubbles to the vacuum head space. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic element can be turn on during the enlargement of the chamber volume, in assisting the release of the bubbles. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic element can be turn on at all times. Since the power and frequency of the ultrasonic element is low, there can be no damage to the object. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of a process fluid supply reservoir or reservoirs which can deliver temperature controlled liquid to the chamber. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, external excitation energy can be added to the process fluid, for example, to assist with the bubble termination or detachment from the object surface. For example, low power and low frequency ultrasonic system can be use in the CNX chamber. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic system can be low, since they are not designed to generate bubbles in the liquid. The ultrasonic system can be designed to agitate the liquid and/or the object, for example, to shake the bubbles that already formed during the low pressure cycle (or the volume expansion cycle). For example, the frequency of the ultrasonic can be less than 1 MHz, such as between 20 kHz and 400 kHz. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates a CNX system according to some embodiments. An object  840  is submerged in a liquid  812  in a chamber. The chamber can be filled with the liquid  812 , without any head space of vapor. A relief valve, such as check valve  850 , can be connected to a top portion of the chamber, which can release any excess liquid or gaseous elements in the chamber to the reservoir  860 . A piston  832  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. The reservoir can be coupled to the opposite side of the piston. The liquid can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, together with replenishing the liquid in the process chamber. A conduit can be coupled to the chamber through a control element  866 , which can control the amount of liquid flowing to the chamber during the volume expansion cycle. For example, a small size conduit, e.g., a quarter inch diameter line, can provide a much lower flow rate as compared to the chamber volume expansion rate exerted by the piston, e.g., a four inch diameter piston. A drain valve  827  can be use to drain the liquid from the chamber. 
         [0047]    An optional heater  869  can be coupled to the liquid line, for example, to heat the liquid coming to the chamber. The heater and the heated liquid line can be configured to provide thermal energy to the object, and not to the chamber wall or to the piston. Since bubbles can be formed at high temperature fluid, heated object would generate bubbles for cleaning, instead of bubbles generated at the chamber wall. 
         [0048]    An optional chemical delivery system can be used to add additional chemicals to the chamber. Metering element  859  can deliver proper amount of chemical liquid to the chamber per cycle. The amount can be determined by setting element  857 . In some embodiments, chemical reservoir  858  can fill the metering element  859 , which is set by setting element  857 . During the volume expansion cycle, the chemical liquid is pulled from the meter element, until the ball  856  blocks the flow. 
         [0049]    An optional ultrasonic element  829  can couple to the chamber, for example, to provide excitation energy to the object  840 . The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low, for example, frequencies between 20 kHz to 400 kHz. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low enough not to generate any bobbles in the liquid or on the object. The ultrasonic element can be used for vibrating the object or the liquid surrounding the object, so that bubbles formed on the object can be detached. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, an exemplary process can include the following steps. The process chamber, containing parts to be processed, is filled with a liquid. The dynamic chamber mechanism, e.g., the piston, begins to pressurize and depressurize the fluid in the process chamber. When the chamber volume is reduced, liquid is pressurized and excess liquid and/or gas byproducts are expelled through the pressure relief valve at the top portion of the chamber which can be set to a predetermined pressure. Expelled liquid can be returned to the fluid supply reservoir and gas byproducts can be vented away. 
         [0051]    When the chamber volume is increased, pressure drops at or below the vapor pressure of one or more components in the process fluid—this begins the vapor nucleation cycle. If reaction gas byproducts are produced, this step also rapidly expands the gas bubbles as well, which adds to the displacement process. This mechanism is called “Gas Expansion Displacement” (GED). Before reducing the chamber volume again, a metered amount of process fluid at a controlled temperature can be added to the chamber. This supplies the continuous recycling of process fluid. 
         [0052]    After the resupply fluid is added, the chamber volume is again reduced which re-pressurizes the chamber and fluid. This can collapse the vapor bubbles and shrink any remaining gas byproduct bubbles. The maximum pressure reached during this step can be controlled and limited by the pressure relief valve as in the step above. The pressure cycles created by the dynamic chamber volume mechanism continues until the process is complete. The process chamber then can be drained of process fluid. 
         [0053]    The above steps may be repeated with other process fluids as required by the processing sequence. Finally, after the final drain, a dry step may be added which introduces temperature controlled gas or air into the chamber to assist in drying the part(s). Upon completion, processed part(s) may be unloaded from the process chamber. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of a process fluid filled chamber equipped with a mechanical mechanism which can rapidly change the volume of the chamber. The chamber is designed to be completely filled with process fluid leaving no voids for trapped gas. This is referred to as zero head space. The chamber can also withstand pressure changes from vacuum to 2 or more atmospheres. The chamber can have one or more doors allowing parts to be placed inside. The chamber can be able to change volume 1-15% or more by a mechanically controlled device at a rate of 1-10 times per second or more. (Total volume change times frequency should approximately equal 10-100% chamber volume every second). Dynamic mechanism can have sub-sonic velocity and be placed low in the chamber and/or kept cooler than the chamber operating chamber, e.g., forming cold piston and not heating the piston, to prevent cavitation at the moving surface. The chamber can be able to drain completely. The chamber can exhaust excess fluid and non-condensable gas byproducts through a pressure relief valve at the top of the chamber. The chamber can introduce fresh fluid back into the chamber as required. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of one or more process fluid reservoirs, each capable of delivering process fluid to the process chamber at a specified temperature. Temperature control may be accomplished by the use of an on-board inline heat exchanger with in-line filtration if necessary. The bulk of the fluid in the reservoir may also be chilled to allow condensing of any volatile components as they are returned to the reservoir from the process chamber. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses a mechanical mechanism for dynamically changing chamber volume, which can comprise one or more of the following features: piston and cylinder with process fluid seal, bellows system—no seal required, linear activation drive mechanism with scissor mechanism with drive cylinder actuator, direct pneumatic cylinder (single or dual action), direct hydraulic cylinder (single or dual action), linear drive motor, crankshaft and connecting rod with rotating motor drive. The dynamic chamber can also comprise potential energy recovery to conserve energy: Spring, pneumatic, or kinetic energy system (e.g. flywheel) to capture potential energy and reduce forces required by energy source to move piston or bellows. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 9A , an object  940  is submerged in a liquid  912  in a chamber  900 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  912 , without any head space of vapor. A relief valve, such as check valve  950 , can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any excess liquid or gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  932  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  922  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. A chamber  960  is coupled to the opposite side of the piston, containing liquid with a head space coupled to the relief valve  950 . The liquid can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, together with replenishing the liquid in the process chamber. 
         [0058]    An optional ultrasonic element  929  can couple to the chamber, for example, to provide excitation energy to the object  940 . The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low, for example, frequencies between 20 kHz to 400 kHz. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low enough not to generate any bobbles in the liquid or on the object. The ultrasonic element can be used for vibrating the object or the liquid surrounding the object, so that bubbles formed on the object can be detached. 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 9B , a force  924  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the process chamber. Vacuum head space  914  appears on top of the liquid portion  912 , together with bubbles  916  on the surfaces of the object  940 , and also on the chamber surface. The liquid  964  rises in chamber  960 . Some liquid can flow from chamber  960  to the process chamber  900 . The flow through the conduit  968  can be configured to be much less than the volume enlargement, thus vacuum head space  914  can appear. The flow  968  can be configured to deliver the liquid to the chamber, for example, to a vicinity of the object. An optional heater (not shown) can be coupled to the conduit to heat the liquid flow in the conduit  968  before reaching the chamber  900 . 
         [0060]    In  FIG. 9C , a force  926  continues pulling on the piston. The resulting reduced pressure in the chamber  900  draws in liquid from the chamber  960  through a restricted conduit  968 . This liquid provides the recirculation of liquid between chamber  900  and chamber  960 . 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, an additional chemistry may be drawn into the process chamber during each low pressure or volume expansion cycle. The chemical may be one that reacts with either the bulk process fluid or with the object or part that is being treated in the chamber. The excess volume that is metered into the chamber during each expansion cycle will cause excess liquid or liquid and gas to be expelled through the pressure relief valve during the compression cycle. Metering a reactive chemistry into the chamber has a number of key benefits: 
         [0062]    1. Allows controlled entry of highly reactive chemicals which either could not be pre-mixed in bulk quantity, 
         [0063]    2. Provides efficient use of chemical reactions—especially for chemical mixes that self-react and decay over time, 
         [0064]    3. Many of the reactive chemicals will cause gas byproducts which produce a mechanism of GED, which can be a very effective transport mechanism as gas bubbles grow and shrink with changing volume and pressure. 
         [0065]    Some examples of metering chemistry applications include adding KOH into a hydrogen peroxide solution to aid in bioburden removal in medical device cleaning. The resulting exothermic reaction would be difficult to manage if mixed together in bulk. Hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid can produce a reactive and short lived bath called “Piranha etch” that would be longer lasting and more efficient in an injection CNX chamber. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate another exemplary dynamic chamber using piston according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 10A , an object  1040  is submerged in a liquid  1012  in a chamber  1000 . The chamber is preferably totally filled with the liquid  1012 , without any head space of vapor. A relief valve, such as check valve  1050 , can be connected to a top portion of the container, which can release any excess liquid or gaseous elements in the chamber. A piston  1032  is coupled to a chamber wall, which can move under a force to reduce or enlarge the volume of the chamber. As shown, a force  1022  is pushing on the piston, pressurizing the liquid, terminating any bubbles. A chamber  1060  is coupled to the opposite side of the piston, containing liquid with a head space coupled to the relief valve  1050 . The liquid can reduce the potential leakage of liquid across the piston, together with replenishing the liquid in the process chamber. 
         [0067]    A chemical reservoir  1070  containing chemical  1080  can be added to the chamber  1000  through check valve  1091 . 
         [0068]    An optional ultrasonic element  1029  can couple to the chamber, for example, to provide excitation energy to the object  1040 . The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low, for example, frequencies between 20 kHz to 400 kHz. The power and frequency of the ultrasonic element can be low enough not to generate any bobbles in the liquid or on the object. The ultrasonic element can be used for vibrating the object or the liquid surrounding the object, so that bubbles formed on the object can be detached. 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 10B , a force  1024  is pulling on the piston, enlarging the volume of the process chamber. Vacuum head space  1014  appears on top of the liquid portion  1012 , together with bubbles  1016  on the surfaces of the object  1040 , and also on the chamber surface. The liquid  1064  rises in chamber  1060 . Some liquid can flow from chamber  1060  to the process chamber  1000 . The flow through the conduit  1068  can be configured to be much less than the volume enlargement, thus vacuum head space  1014  can appear. The flow in conduit  1068  can be configured to deliver the liquid to the chamber, for example, to a vicinity of the object. An optional heater can be coupled to the conduit to heat the liquid flow  1068  before reaching the chamber  1000 . 
         [0070]    In  FIG. 10C , a force  1026  continues pulling on the piston. The resulting reduced pressure in the system draws in recirculating liquid through conduit  1068 , and it also brings chemical liquid  1080 , stored in chamber  1070 , through a restricted conduit  1090 . A check valve  1091  can ensure no reverse flow during piston compressive cycle per  FIG. 10A . 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of a process fluid supply reservoir or reservoirs delivers temperature-controlled liquid to the process chamber. In some embodiments, an exemplary process can include the following steps. The process chamber, containing parts to be processed, is filled completely with a liquid. The dynamic chamber mechanism begins to pressurize and depressurize the fluid in the process chamber. When the chamber volume is reduced, liquid is pressurized and excess liquid and/or gas byproducts are expelled through the pressure relief valve at the top of the chamber which is set to a pre-determined pressure. Expelled liquid is returned to the fluid supply reservoir and gas byproducts are vented away. When the chamber volume is increased, pressure drops at or below the vapor pressure of one or more components in the process fluid—this begins the vapor nucleation cycle. If reaction gas byproducts are produced, this step also rapidly expands the gas bubbles as well, which adds to the displacement process. Before reducing the chamber volume again, a metered amount of process fluid at a controlled temperature can be added to the chamber. This supplies the continuous recycling of process fluid. After the resupply fluid is added, the chamber volume is again reduced which re-pressurizes the chamber and fluid. This collapses the vapor bubbles and shrinks any remaining gas byproduct bubbles. The maximum pressure reached during this step can be controlled and limited by the pressure relief valve as in the step above. The pressure cycles created by the dynamic chamber volume mechanism continues until the process is complete. The process chamber is drained of process fluid. 
         [0072]    The above steps may be repeated with other process fluids as required by the processing sequence. Finally, after the final drain, a dry step may be added which introduces temperature controlled gas or air into the chamber to assist in drying the part(s). Upon completion, processed part(s) may be unloaded from the process chamber. 
         [0073]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of a process fluid filled chamber equipped with a mechanical mechanism which can rapidly change the volume of the chamber. The chamber is designed to be completely filled with process fluid leaving no voids for trapped gas. This is referred to as zero head space. The chamber can also withstand pressure changes from vacuum to 2 or more atmospheres. The chamber can have one or more doors allowing parts to be placed inside. The chamber can be able to change volume 1˜15% or more by a mechanically controlled device at a rate of 1˜10 times per second or more. (Total volume change times frequency should approximately equal 50˜100% chamber volume every second). Dynamic mechanism can have sub-sonic velocity and be placed low in the chamber to prevent cavitation at the moving surface. The chamber can be able to drain completely. The chamber can exhaust excess fluid and non-condensable gas byproducts through a pressure relief valve at the top of the chamber. The chamber can introduce fresh process fluid back into the chamber as required 
         [0074]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses the use of one or more process fluid reservoirs, each capable of delivering process fluid to the process chamber at a specified temperature. Temperature control may be accomplished by the use of an in-line heat exchanger with in-line filtration if necessary. The bulk of the fluid in the reservoir may also be chilled to allow condensing of any volatile components as they are returned to the reservoir from the process chamber. 
         [0075]    In some embodiments, the present invention discloses a mechanical mechanism for dynamically changing chamber volume, which can comprise one or more of the following features: piston and cylinder with process fluid seal, bellows system—no seal required, linear activation drive mechanism with scissor mechanism with drive cylinder actuator, direct pneumatic cylinder (single or dual action), direct hydraulic cylinder (single or dual action), linear drive motor, crankshaft and connecting rod with rotating motor drive. The dynamic chamber can also comprise potential energy recovery to conserve energy: Spring, pneumatic, or kinetic energy system (e.g. flywheel) to capture potential energy and reduce forces required by energy source to move piston or bellows. 
         [0076]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary flow chart for a cleaning process according to some embodiments. Operation  1100  provides an object in a chamber, wherein the chamber is isolated from outside ambient, wherein the chamber is filled with a liquid. Operation  1110  simultaneously enlarges the chamber volume and injects the liquid to the chamber, wherein the rate of chamber enlarging is higher than the rate of liquid injecting so that a non-liquid space is formed in the chamber. Operation  1120  simultaneously reduces the chamber volume and expels the liquid and non liquid from the chamber. Operation  1130  repeats enlarging and reducing the chamber volume. 
         [0077]    In some embodiments, the injected liquid can be less than 40% of the chamber enlargement. The chamber volume can be reduced to the chamber volume before being enlarged. The liquid can be heated before being injected to the chamber. An ultrasonic power can be applied to the liquid during the chamber volume enlargement. The power of the ultrasonic power can be less than an exited power to generate bubbles in the liquid. The frequency of the ultrasonic power can be less than an exited frequency to generate bubbles in the liquid. Further, a second liquid can be simultaneously injected to the chamber during the chamber volume enlargement, wherein the rate of chamber enlarging is higher than the total rates of liquid injecting. The second liquid can be heated before being injected to the chamber. The second liquid can be metered before being injected to the chamber.