BEARING CLEANING

Similar to the initial formation of vapor bubbles in a boiling liquid, Vacuum Cycling Nucleation (VCN) bubbles preferentially nucleate in confined geometries, such as crevices within the vessel where localized boiling initiates. These vapor bubbles displace the surrounding fluid and entrained contaminants, while collapsing bubbles induce a localized influx of fresh fluid. The fluid matrix experiences dynamic pressure fluctuations throughout the chamber during the vacuum cycle.

Analogous to the instantaneous pressure change sensed by the hydraulic fluid in a vehicle’s braking system upon actuation, the fluid within sealed channels or tubing undergoes phase change to vapor when the pressure drops below the vapor pressure threshold. Even micro-scale voids can serve as preferential pathways for contaminated fluid escape during the cleaning process. When the vacuum is released or halted, it allows for re-entry of clean fluid into the targeted region, thereby sustaining the cleaning cycle.

The video demonstrates how the VCN process effectively accesses difficult-to-clean regions. Oils and greases that may be resistant to conventional cleaning techniques such as spraying or ultrasonication are thoroughly processed by the VCN method, which treats both internal and external surfaces uniformly. Bearing grease cannot hide.