I A space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus. The present invention proposes an apparatus and method of using ultrasonics to clean the internal surface of wine barrels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 In a co-pending application entitled "An apparatus and method of ultrasonic cleaning" the Applicant provided a novel way of cleaning the inside of containers, in particular wine barrels, using ultrasonics. The reusing of wooden wine and liquor barrels is common practice within the wine industry. Reusing barrels is one of the ways that wineries can reduce their 10 overheads. Care however must be taken in the use of older barrels, since the interior can harbour bacteria and yeasts that may contaminate the wine to be placed in a recycled barrel. Such contamination cost the wine industry vast amounts of money each year in spoilt wine. Traditionally mechanical cleaning of barrels was undertaken. This involved 15 either the disintegration of the barrel into its constituent wooden staves or the removal of one end of the barrel. The interior wooden surface of the barrel was then shaving and the barrel reconstructed. A method, which is popular today, involves inserting a high-pressure water or steam lance through the bunghole of a barrel and cleaning of the interior surface with 20 a jet of steam or water. The detritus is removed from the barrel by the use of a pump or by inverting the barrel and allowing the detritus to drain out. As taught in the co-pending application "An apparatus and method of ultrasonic cleaning", a barrel may be cleaned using an ultrasonic transducer inserted through the bunghole. Cleaning occurs when the microscopic cavitation bubbles, 25 produced by the vibrations, collapsing and releasing shock waves. The energy released by these shockwaves acts to dislodge detritus material on the surface thereby cleaning the object. To effectively clean the barrel all the interior surfaces must be immersed under the water during the cleaning cycle. This can either be accomplished by completely filling the barrel with water or by rotating a partially filled 30 barrel to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned.
2 Whilst partial filling of the barrel with cleaning fluid, such as water, is attractive, care must be taken when positioning the transducer to ensure that the cavitational energy is as homogenous as possible throughout the barrel volume. This requires an accurate positioning of the transducer within the barrel regardless of the rotational 5 position of the barrel. In addition, in some instances, the transducer may need to assume various longitudinal shapes to accommodate the internal shape of the barrel. The applicant is unaware of any current ultrasonic transducers that achieve any one of these results. It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an ultrasonic 10 transducer that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned problems or provides the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention, there is proposed a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a barrel, of the type having restricted 15 access, including: at least two ultrasonic transducers adapted to be positioned within the barrel, wherein the transducers are attached and able to pivot in relation to each other; and an ultrasonic generator. Preferably the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes an intermediate flange 20 which ensures that the ultrasonic apparatus does not dislodge during the cleaning operation. The ultrasonic transducers are able to pivot more than 90 degrees in relation to one another and are preferably attached to a single ultrasonic generator. In a further form of the invention, there is proposed a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus for cleaning a barrel, of the type having restricted 25 access, including: at least two ultrasonic transducers adapted to be positioned within the barrel, wherein the transducers are attached and able to pivot in relation to each other; an ultrasonic generator; and an elevation means by which the transducers are prevented from resting against the 30 internal surface of the barrel during cleaning. Preferably the elevation means is a flotation device such as an inflatable compartment that is able to be inserted into the barrel in a deflated arrangement and 3 then inflated once within the barrel. Alternatively the elevation means can be a magnetic field device which ensures that the transducers are prevented from resting against the sides of the barrel. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus may include an ultrasonic activity sensor 5 adapted to indicate the amount of ultrasonic activity within the barrel. In this way it can be determined when particular segments of the barrel are likely to have been effectively cleaned. In yet a further form of the invention, there is proposed a method for cleaning of a barrel, of the type having restricted access, using a space adaptable ultrasonic 10 cleaning apparatus, including the steps of: filling said barrel, at least in part, with a cooling means; immersing an ultrasonic transducer into the cooling means; operating said transducer to induce ultrasonic cavitation within the cooling means thereby cleaning the internal surface of the barrel. 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, 20 Figure 1 is a side cut away view of a wine barrel illustrating a first embodiment of a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus; Figure 2 is a side cut away view of the wine barrel of Figure 1, illustrating a second embodiment of a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus; 25 Figure 3 is a side cut away view of the wine barrel of Figure 1, illustrating a third embodiment of a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus including flotation devices; Figure 4 is a side cut away view of the wine barrel of Figure 1, illustrating a fourth embodiment of a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 30 including flotation devices; 4 Figure 5 is a side cut away view of the wine barrel of Figure 1, illustrating a fifth embodiment of a space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus including an elevation device in the form of a series of magnets; and Figure 6 is an end plan view of the wine barrel of Figure 1, resting on top of a 5 set of rollers. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described 10 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Figure 1 illustrates, in a first embodiment, the space adaptable ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 10 includes a series of ultrasonic transducers 12, 14, and 16, 15 which are connected and able to rotate around pivot points 18 and 20. The ultrasonic transducers 12, 14, and 16 are connected with wires 22 to a generator (not shown) that produces an ultrasonic signal. The wires 22 pass through an intermediate flange 24 that is located within the aperture or bunghole 26 of a wine barrel 28 of the type which includes wooden staves 30 and metal rings 32. The intermediate flange 24 20 does not have to produce a perfect seal within the bunghole 26 since the cleaning is only a short-term process and little water will be lost. However, the flange 24 must be secure enough that when the barrel 28 is rotated or moved the ultrasonic apparatus 10 is not dislodged from the bunghole 26. The cleaning of wine and liquor barrels poses significant problems since the 25 aperture 26 through which the interior of the barrel 28 is accessed is limited in size. Various methods have been proposed to facilitate the cleaning of the interior surface without having to dismantle the barrel. However, as far as the applicant is aware ultrasonics has not yet been used for the cleaning of such containers. The configuration of the present invention with ultrasonic transducers 12, 14, 30 and 16, which are able to pivot in relation to one another, enables the apparatus to be manipulated to fit through the bung hole 26 of the wine barrel 28. The average diameter of the bunghole of wine barrels is between 49-50 mm at the outside surface of the barrel and 47-48 mm at the interior surface. Therefore, the diameter of the 5 transducers 12, 14, and 16 must be less than the smallest diameter of the bung hole 26. As the reader would now understand the diameter of the ultrasonic transducers 12, 14, and 16 are constrained by the size of the bunghole 26 of the barrel 28. However, it should be understood by the reader that if the bunghole was of a larger 5 diameter then the ultrasonic transducers could correspondingly be of a larger size. Once located within the interior of the barrel 28 the transducers 12 and 14 are positioned in the vertical plane and transducer 16 is positioned in the horizontal plane. The reason for this configuration is so that the transducers are located in close proximity to the wooden staves 30 of the wine barrel 28. Once in place the generator 10 (not shown) produces an ultrasonic signal which is emitted by transducers 12, 14 and 16 located within the barrel 28. The ultrasonic cleaning process works by the action of microscopic cavities collapsing and releasing shock waves. Sending sound at high frequencies into a body of liquid, which is in contact with the surface to be cleaned, forms microscopic cavities. In the present example the microscopic cavities form 15 within the barrel 28 on the surface of the wooden staves 30. The shock waves produced by the collapse of the microscopic cavities loosen the wine residue, tartrates, and the like. This detritus can then be drained by the use of a pump (not shown) or by inverting the barrel and allowing the detritus to drain out through the bunghole 26. 20 As the reader would now appreciate, reducing the distance between the transducers 12, 14 and 16 and the surface of the wooden staves 30 increases the efficiency of the cleaning process, thereby reducing time and operational costs. The barrel 28 can be half filled 34 with a cooling media 36 as illustrated in Figure 1, but the reader should understand that the present invention can be used with any quantity of 25 cooling media 36. It should further be understood by the reader that the present invention is not limited to transducers that uses a cooling means 36. New ultrasonic transducers that produce high ultrasonic power densities, without the need for additional cooling media 36 can also be used. In a second embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, the space adaptable 30 ultrasonic apparatus 10 includes a series of transducers 12, 14, 38 and 40, which are able to rotate around pivot points 18, 20 and 44. The transducers 12, 14, 38 and 40 are connected with wires 22 to a generator (not shown) that produces the ultrasonic signal. The wires 22 pass through an intermediate flange 24 located within the bunghole 26 of the wine barrel 28. By having two transducers 38 and 40 positioned in 6 the horizontal plane, rather than a single transducer 16, it may be easier to manipulate the ultrasonic apparatus 10 when inserting it through the bunghole 26. Maintaining the transducer in a particular location within the wine barrel 28 can assist to increase the efficiency of the ultrasonic apparatus 10. If the transducers rest 5 on the surface of the staves 30 the efficiency of the ultrasonic cleaning is reduced by imperfections and distortions on the interior surface of the wooden staves 30. For the best results in ultrasonic cleaning the transducers should be slightly separated from the surface being cleaned. To alleviate these potential problems an elevation means can be used to prevent the transducers from resting against the staves 30 of the wine 10 barrel 28. In a third embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3, inflatable balloons 42 and 44 can be attached to one end of the transducers 12 and 14. These balloons 42 and 44 are inserted into the wine barrel 28 through the bunghole 26 in a deflated arrangement. Once within the wine barrel 28 the balloons 42 and 44 are inflated and 15 act to support the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40. By floating on the surface 34 of the cooling media 36 the balloons support the vertical transducers 12 and 14 in a generally vertical position and ensure that the transducers do not rest on the staves 30 of the wine barrel 28. As the reader would now appreciate elevating the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40 from the staves 30 of the wine barrel 28 can assist in 20 increasing the efficiency of the ultrasonic cleaning process. In a fourth embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, a membrane 46 can be used to prevent the transducers from resting on the wooden staves 30 of the wine barrel 28. The membrane 46 is attached between the free ends of transducers 12 and 14. The membrane 46 can be inflated or it may be possible to have a non-inflatable 25 impermeable membrane that is supported on the surface of the water 36. Of course, the relative cross-sectional size of the membrane must be such to enable it to be inserted through the bunghole 26. In a fifth embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, magnets can be used to elevate the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40 off the wooden staves 30 of the wine barrel 30 28. Each of the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40 are fitted with magnets 48. A series of magnets 50, 52, 54 and 56 are then positioned on the outside of the wine barrel 28 corresponding to each of the magnets 48 on the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40. These exterior magnets 50, 52, 54, and 56 are of a reverse polarity to those magnets 48 fixed to the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40. This means that the transducers 12, 7 14, 38, and 40 are repelled by the corresponding exterior magnets 50, 52, 54, and 56 and thereby are elevated off the staves 30 of the wine barrel 28. If magnets are used as the elevation means then the pivot points 18, 20 and 44 must be constructed so that they maintain a particular shape once inside the 5 barrel. The repelling action of the magnets mean that the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40 are inclined to repel as far away from their corresponding magnet as possible. However, the transducers 12, 14, 38, and 40 at pivot points 18 and 20 must be maintained at 90 degrees and the transducers 38 and 40 must be maintained relatively horizontally if the ultrasonic cleaning process is to be accomplished with the 10 greatest efficiency. As the reader will now appreciate maintaining the transducers in a particular configuration is important if the efficiency of the ultrasonic cleaning process is to be guaranteed. It is envisaged that the wine barrel 28, as illustrated in Figure 5, is half filled 34 with a cooling media 36. Therefore, at any one time the ultrasonic cleaning is only 15 occurring on the interior surface of half of the wooden staves 30. It is consequently necessary to rotate the wine barrel 28 so that all the staves 30 of the barrel 28 come into contact with the water 36 and thereby are cleaned by the ultrasonic activity. The rotation of the wine barrel 28 may be achieved using well known techniques in the wine industry that are currently used in manipulating wine barrels 28. As illustrated in 20 Figure 6, rollers 58 and 60 mounted on frame 62 can be used to rotate the wine barrel 28. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the use of rollers 58 and 60. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus may also include an ultrasonic activity sensor (not shown) adapted to indicate the amount of ultrasonic activity within the 25 barrel. In this way the user will know when particular staves 30 are likely to have been effectively cleaned. The use of a sensor would be particularly useful in determining how fast the barrel 28 should be rotated. Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown 30 and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.
8 In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention. 5 Dated this Thursday, August 28, 2008 Soniclean Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys LESICAR PERRIN 10