Abstract: In a blast head for a vacuum blasting operation, abrasive particles in a stream of compressed air are directed against a work surface and removed by vacuum. Ambient air is directed into the blast head upstream of the work surface to reduce frictional forces between the blast head and the work surface due to the vacuum. The ambient air is admitted through a one-way spring biased valve. The flow of ambient air into the blast head is controllable by adjusting the spring force in the valve.

Abstract: The improved blast nozzle comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a square venturi orifice connecting the inlet and outlet portions. The inlet portion includes a square inlet for receiving the air and abrasive particle mixture with a pair of opposing flat top and bottom walls and a pair of opposing flat lateral walls. The opposing flat top and bottom walls and opposing flat lateral walls form a four sided pyramidal shape which converges to the square venturi. The outlet portion is similarly shaped and includes a pair of opposing flat top and bottom walls and a pair of opposing flat lateral walls. The opposing flat top and bottom walls and the opposing flat lateral walls form a four sided pyramidal shape also which diverges from the square venturi to a square outlet for directing the air and abrasive particle mixture. The nozzle body is typically constructed of an abrasion resistant material such as tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A shot peening method and apparatus enables low intensity peening at a velocity which is equal to or less than the minimum velocity required to assure conveyance of the media through the transport hose in pneumatic systems or the minimum velocity necessary to project a coherent shot stream in the case of wheel systems.

Abstract: A blasting nozzle assembly is used for blast cleaning internal pipe surfaces. A cylindrical sleeve has a flow channel through which blasting abrasive and a carrier fluid flow in a flow direction. A web member is integrally formed with the sleeve and extends diametrically across the flow channel. The web member has a length inside the flow channel which is about 60% to 90% of the given length of the sleeve. A stem is inserted in an opening formed in the web member such that the stem extends coaxially with the sleeve. A free end of the stem protrudes from the sleeve. A deflection tip is mounted on the free end of the stem. The deflection tip radially deflects the blasting abrasive and the carrier fluid arriving from the flow channel in the given flow direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a workpiece with abrasive CO.sub.2 snow operates with a nozzle for creating and expelling the snow. The nozzle includes an upstream section defined by a first contour for receiving CO.sub.2 in a gaseous form. The nozzle also includes a downstream section for directing the flow of the CO.sub.2 and the snow toward the workpiece, with the downstream section having a second contour optimized for supersonic flow of the CO.sub.2. The nozzle includes a throat section, interposed between the upstream and downstream sections, for changing the CO.sub.2 from the gaseous phase to an intermediate mixture of CO.sub.2 gas, liquid and snow within the downstream section at a speed of at least Mach 1.1. A turbulence cavity section is interposed between the throat section and the downstream section for inducing both turbulence within the CO.sub.2 gas flowing therethrough, thereby increasing the nucleation and agglomeration of the CO.sub.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 1 , a blast gun assembly 1 of cylindrical form comprises a plurality of disc-shaped body sections 2, 3, 5 and 10, clamped together in face-to-fact contact. The body sections 2 comprise head sections and carry air/slurry mixture discharge nozzles 14. Each pair of adjacent body sections 2 is separated by a spacer section 3. Sections 2, 3 are formed with internal holes which are aligned to form internal ducts, connected to a slurry inlet 6 and an outlet 7, an air blast 8, and water rinse/air dry supplies 9. Water rinse and/or drying air is discharged from the assembly 1 by nozzles 26.

Abstract: A blast head for a vacuum-blasting machine has a deflecting surface oriented at an angle to the direction in which particles under pressure are sent through the blast head. The blast head has an inner, blast jacket, an outer, vacuum jacket, and a blast head body connected to the vacuum jacket by a flexible bellows. The blast head body is secured to the blast jacket to permit axial movement of the blast jacket relative to the vacuum jacket.

Abstract: A convergent-divergent Single/Multiple Expansion wave contour wall and wave Reflection solid wall Nozzle (S/MERN) for use with particle blast systems is provided which includes a single contoured converging-diverging wall opposing a generally flat, solid wall disposed generally parallel to the direction of the jet flow. The transition from a circular delivery hose to the rectangular throat of the S/MERN nozzle is preferably in only one dimension, with the distance between the side support walls being substantially the same as the diameter of the delivery hose. The S/MERN nozzle relies on reflection from the flat, solid wall for Mach wave expansions, rather than reflections of opposing expansion waves as in conventional nozzles.

Abstract: An improved system for generating an abrasive fluid jet is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, abrasive is fed from a bulk hopper into an air isolator having a baffle that limits the flow of air and abrasive through the air isolator, thereby venting air from the abrasive. An on/off device having a rod coupled to a stopper is provided within the air isolator, the rod being selectively raised and lowered in a vertical direction. A discharge orifice is provided in a bottom surface of the air isolator, the stopper covering the discharge orifice when the rod is in a lowered position, thereby preventing the discharge of abrasive from the air isolator.A metering disk is provided adjacent the discharge orifice, an orifice in the metering disk being aligned with the discharge orifice, such that abrasive exiting the air isolator flows through the metering disk.

Abstract: A focusing nozzle for producing and jetting a precisely focused, sustained cohesive jet of a mixture of a fluid and abrasive material, having a long coherence length and a prolonged centerline pressure for obtaining clean, precise, sharp-edged kerfs, cuts and grooves in hard substances.

Abstract: A simple and effective means is provided to control sand blast or like particulate media flow in the cleaning and scouring of workpieces to insure substantially uniform cleaning. To this end, microwave energy is directed at the particle flow, and energy reflection therefrom effects desired opening, closing, and intermediate control of sand blast flow means, as a valve interposed in the blast conduit.

Abstract: A the high velocity flame jet apparatus includes a supersonic gun having a main combustion chamber having two parts, one of which is air cooled and the other of which is water cooled. The air cooled portion of the chamber is provided with radial air inlet holes to allow the cooling air to enter the chamber and stabilize combustion. The water cooled portion of the chamber is elongated and terminates in a bend. A powder sprayer is arranged axially in the bent end of the combustion chamber and a removable exit nozzle is coupled to the distal end of the combustion chamber. Different removable nozzles are used for abrasive treatment and coating treatment. The first portion of the combustion chamber is provided with an ignition device coupling for coupling to a removable igniter. The removable igniter is coupled to fuel and oxygen sources and supplies the ignition temperature to the combustion chamber when the apparatus is started. After the gun is ignited, the igniter is removed.

Abstract: A device for use with artistic sandblasting. The device is a hand-held gun which receives an air/abrasive mixture via a flexible tube which enters the gun through a rear end of the gun. The tube extends through the gun's rear end, between a pinch point and a curved end of an adjustable, spring biased pivotal lever provided internally in the barrel of the gun and attaches to a nozzle removably provided at the front end of the gun. When the trigger is not depressed, the curved end of the lever is biased toward the pinch point, thus squeezing the tube and cutting off flow of the air/abrasive mixture through the gun. The air/abrasive mixture flows through the gun via the tube and out the nozzle when a trigger which is attached to the curved end of the pivotal lever is depressed toward a handle provided on the rear end of the gun and thereby moves the curved end of the lever away from the pinch point, allowing the tube to resume its original unsqueezed configuration.

Abstract: A machine tool for cutting workpieces includes a cutting head with at least two cutting units each providing cutting beams directed at the workpiece so as to impinge thereon closely adjacent each other to cooperate in the cutting action. The machine tool includes a worktable to support the workpiece, and the workpiece and cutting head are relatively movable to provide a cutting line in the workpiece. At least one of the cutting units is movable relative to the other so that the angular relationship of the cutting beams may be varied, and the supply of the cutting medium is separately controlled for the cutting units. In one embodiment the cutting beams are high speed water jets which may contain abrasive and the cutting characteristics of the jets may be varied.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for accelerating and pressurizing a fluidized stream of particulate material, e.g. for blast cleaning by ice particles, the stream flows through a constriction in a flow passage. A flow of blast medium is discharged from a blast nozzle at supersonic speed into the fluidized stream so as to form within the fluidized stream a flow front which is impenetrable by the fluidized stream and which co-operates with the constriction to form an effective nozzle for accelerating the fluidized stream. Grounding is provided controlling electrostatic charges for either better work effect or neutralization in unwanted or hazardous conditions, and safety pressure relief, blast intensity control, articulation and changement of final nozzles for effective operation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sand-blasting the inner walls of bores, tubes, pipes and the like, comprising a housing with a first tube member for feeding blasting material and a second tube member for feeding pressurized air. The second tube member is provided with a curved end portion, the orifice thereof being located beyond the outlet opening of the first tube member. The second tube member, together with its end portion, is rotatable around the central longitudinal axis of the first tube member. Thus, the stream of blasting material escaping from the outlet of the first tube member is deflected and accelerated under the influence of the stream of pressurized air escaping from the curved end portion of the second tube member. Due to the provision of such a touchless deflection, the wear of the apparatus can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A high pressure water cleaning method and apparatus using a nozzle assembly wherein abrasive particles (172) are separated from a transport gas and injected into a high pressure water spray within an impact and mixing chamber (320) at an incidence angle (MA, MA') and velocity sufficient for the separated particles to penetrate into and thereby mix with a high velocity core (360) of the water spray (FS). The spray pattern is preferably fanned shaped instead of cone shaped, and preferably does not touch at least one outlet passage wall downstream of the impact chamber (320) to provide an exit flow path (AG) for the separated transport gas. For this purpose, an axis (CL) of the spray pattern may be offset (OS) from the center (SC) of the outlet passage (302) of the nozzle assembly, which may be either fixed (280, 285) or rotated (650).

Abstract: A closed-environment wet-abrasive blasting system includes a vacuum device for recovering a waste stream of water, abrasive particulate and surface debris. The waste stream is filtered resulting in cleaned water recycling through the system. During operation, water is pumped from a water holding tank to a blast head. Also, abrasive particulate is forced from canister to the blast head. The abrasive material and water form a blast stream which impacts on a surface to treat the surface. The blast head is held to the surface during use by the suction force and defines a work volume over the surface under treatment. In effect, the blast head defines a closed environment in which abrasive particulate water and surface debris do not escape into the surrounding environment, but instead is captured. The vacuum force pulls the surface debris, abrasive particulate and water (i.e., waste stream) from the blast head along a vacuum hose into a recovery tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a workpiece with abrasive CO.sub.2 snow operates with a nozzle for creating and expelling the snow. The nozzle includes an upstream section for receiving CO.sub.2 in a gaseous form, and having a first contour shaped for subsonic flow of the CO.sub.2. The nozzle also includes a downstream section for directing the flow of the CO.sub.2 and the snow toward the workpiece, with the downstream section having a second contour shaped for supersonic flow of the CO.sub.2. The nozzle includes a throat section, interposed between the upstream and downstream sections, for changing the CO.sub.2 from the gaseous phase along a constant entropy line to a gas and snow mixture within the downstream section at a speed of at least Mach 1.0. In this manner, additional kinetic energy is imparted to the snow by delaying the conversion into the solid phase until the gaseous CO.sub.2 reaches supersonic speeds.

Abstract: A media control valve used to meter and dispense an amount of abrasive media from a supply pot to a compressed airline for blast cleaning comprises; a media passage communicating with the supply pot and an airflow tube, a bore disposed in the valve and communicating with the media passage, a media control sleeve placed within the bore disposed between the media passage and the airflow tube and containing a plurality of spaced restricting orifices, a valve stem slidable within the media control sleeve and capable of opening and closing the orifices, the valve stem being secured to an activating means to move the valve stem in a manner such that the valve stem will self-align itself within the interior of the media control sleeve. The self-alignment feature is provided by dividing the valve stem into a lower valve stem portion and an upper valve stem portion which is secured to the activating means.

Abstract: A nozzle for a sand blaster for dust-free blasting of plain surfaces comprises a tubular housing (1) with a revolving nozzle head (3) which is connectable to a blast hose (2). The nozzle head (3) is covered with an end plate (4) provided with inclined orifices (7) so that the nozzle head (3) will be revolved by the throw of the sand blasting material. For a better adaptability to different demands for cleaning, each orifice (7) is provided with a slewable blast pipe (9) which is mounted slewable with a socket joint (10) at the end plate (4).

Abstract: A radial grip remote control for the operation of abrasive blast machines. The handle of the grip is permanently attached to a linear bearing. The bearing utilizes the abrasive blast hose as a journal, and may be rotated manually by adjusting the radial position of the handle. The inside diameter of the bearing is adjustable. The adjustment is intended to allow the bearing to rotate freely about its journal (hose), and to cause seizure of the bearing to this journal when the hose is pressurized. The steel handle acts as a protective housing for a positive shut-off type valve which is internally installed. The remote control is designed to be ergonomically accommodating and to increase the safety of abrasive blasting operations. The base of the handle comprises a female connecting socket for adaptation to automated or remotely operated abrasive blast systems.

Abstract: A method of microdeburring a selected portion of bore in a workpiece with a jet of abrasive gas is provided that is particularly applicable to the removal of microburrs at the interface between the timing and metering spill ports in a fuel injector metering barrel and the plunger bore. In the method, the nozzle that emits the abrasive gas is first inserted in and aligned with the bore so that the jet is focused on the microburrs at the interface. The nozzle is then actuated for a time period long enough for the jet to remove the microburrs from the bore, but insufficient for the jet to cause unwanted radiusing of the bore at the interface that could degrade the timing characteristics of the fuel injector. The method also includes the step of interposing a shield within the metering barrel to mask off the finished surface of the barrel from unwanted abrasion.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 nozzle expels liquid CO.sub.2 under pressure through an orifice therein for converting the liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. The CO.sub.2 nozzle is contained within an elongated mixing cavity within a body which is coupled to an exhaust nozzle for directing the CO.sub.2 snow toward the workpiece. The CO.sub.2 nozzle includes several wings for creating aerodynamic turbulence within the elongated mixing cavity for enhancing the coagulation of the CO.sub.2 snow into larger CO.sub.2 snow particles or CO.sub.2 snowflakes.

Abstract: To reduce dust and improve the productivity of wet blasting, a blast nozzle and a method of using same are provided for directing a stream of abrasive particles entrained in compressed air to a targeted surface and for injecting a pressurized water stream into the stream of abrasive particles at a point downstream of the orifice of the blast nozzle and in the expansion portion of the nozzle. At the injection point, the velocity of the entrained abrasive particles is substantially equivalent to the velocity of the injected water stream.

Abstract: An abrasive/water jet cutting apparatus has a frame, a carriage movably supported for movement over a work table on the frame, and a water jet cutting head on the carriage. A main storage container for abrasive is provided and an intermediate storage container for abrasive is supported on the carriage. A connecting arm has a pivotal connection at its one end to the frame and a pivotal connection at its other end to the carriage. The arm also has a pivotal connection intermediate its length so that it pivots about the pivotal connections during movement of the carriage. A suction line from the main storage container extends along the connecting arm to the intermediate storage container to supply abrasive thereto, and a high pressure line extending from a high pressure fluid source extends along the connecting arm to the cutting head. The high pressure line is resiliently deflectable at the pivotal connections about which it extends, and the vacuum line is resiliently deflectable.

Abstract: A blast nozzle for directing a stream of abrasive particles against a surface to remove surface contaminants therefrom further includes multiple water atomization nozzles which are spaced externally on the blast nozzle and which direct a stream of atomized water droplets which surround the abrasive particle stream directed to the surface so as to suppress dust formation.

Abstract: A blast nozzle for directing a stream of abrasive particles against a surface to remove surface contaminants therefrom further includes an externally attached atomized water nozzle which directs a stream of atomized water particles to the surface to suppress dust formation. Blast nozzles of preferred dimensions to improve productivity of blast cleaning with a sodium bicarbonate blast media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nozzle for delivering particulate matter into a molten pool created on a substrate includes a core through which the particulate is delivered, an annulus surrounding the core for simultaneously delivering a shield gas toward the molten pool and shield gas conditioning apparatus. The conditioning apparatus includes a system of wire mesh screens and a cup for directing the gas flow.

Abstract: A gas delivery system provides a first gas as a liquid under extreme pressure and as a gas under intermediate pressure. Another gas delivery system provides a second gas under moderate pressure. The second gas is selected to solidify at a temperature at or above the temperature of the liquified gas. A nozzle assembly connected to the gas delivery systems produces a stream containing a liquid component, a solid component, and a gas component. The liquid component of the stream consists of a high velocity jet of the liquified first gas. The high velocity jet is surrounded by a particle sheath that consists of solid particles of the second gas which solidifies in the nozzle upon contact with the liquified gas of the high velocity jet. The gas component of the stream is a high velocity flow of the first gas that encircles the particle sheath, forming an outer jacket.

Abstract: A floor surface blasting apparatus is used for removing rustproof coating (blasting ) on a tank bottom surface to inspect weld lines on the bottom surface of high-capacity fuel tank. The floor surface blasting apparatus comprises a work arm which has weld line detecting sensors for detecting a weld line at the tip end and also has a blast head incorporating a suction nozzle; a work carriage which has the work arm and magnet devices incorporating a magnetic substance and travels arbitrarily on the floor surface; a transfer carriage which has a blast device for supplying blasting material to the blast head and travels arbitrarily on the floor surface; and a control device which controls the blast head so that the blast head is positioned on a weld line in accordance with the detection signal from the weld line detecting sensors and the signal of a position detecting device for detecting the position of the blast head and also makes the transfer carriage follow the work carriage.

Abstract: In a powder beam etching method, a nozzle for injecting fine particles and a work are moved relative to each other in two perpendicular directions, viz., a scanning direction and a feed pitch direction during each scanning motion. During each return scanning motion the path followed is arranged to fall in between the path of the preceding forward motion.

Abstract: A blast nozzle for accelerating a stream of abrasive particles to a surface for the cleaning thereof has a nozzle body formed of a non-electrically conductive material and is provided with an encapsulating coat to prevent breakage of the nozzle body. To prevent the accumulation of static electric charge during the blast cleaning operation, the exterior surface of the blast nozzle core is covered with an electrically conductive layer disposed between the nozzle body and the encapsulating coat, the nozzle further including an electrically conductive grounding pathway contacting the electrically conductive layer and passing through the encapsulating coat so that the electrically conductive layer can be bonded to ground to provide a pathway for removing the accumulated static charge and prevent periodic sparking.

Abstract: A frame member is capable of connection to a lifting cable moving the frame relative to a surface to be cleaned. The carriage is supported on the frame member and is adjustable on tracks between sides of the frame members. A hose support is pivotally mounted on the frame member on a lateral axis and has an operator's handle for moving the carriage and pivoting the hose support. The hose support includes a clamp for multiple hoses for large area treatment. One or more of the hoses may be individually removed for operation independent of the multiple hose support. An auxiliary clamp for the hoses is provided to free up movement of the carriage. The operator's handle for the carriage has switches thereon for operation of the multiple hoses, at least one of the switches being removable for controlling operation of a single hose that has been removed from the carriage.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method adapted for use in removing trace contaminants from the surface of a chosen substrate, such as delicate surfaces or precision parts, by application of a stream or jet spray of expanded fluid to the substrate surface. The improvement consists of controlling electrostatic charges generated on or near the substrate surface during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A nozzle expels liquid CO.sub.2 through an orifice for converting the liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. The nozzle is contained within an elongated cavity within a body which in turn is coupled to an exhaust nozzle for directing the CO.sub.2 snow toward a workpiece. A mixing device is provided for receiving and mixing pressurized air at ambient temperature with liquid nitrogen for precooling the air and then directing the resulting mixture of gases into the cavity and toward the nozzle. In this manner, the precooled shop air will enhance the efficiency of the conversion of the liquid CO.sub.2 into CO.sub.2 snow particles.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 nozzle receives and expels liquid CO.sub.2 through orifices sized for converting the CO.sub.2 liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. A body, defining an elongated cavity therein, is coupled to the CO.sub.2 nozzle such that the CO.sub.2 snow is ejected into the cavity. An exhaust nozzle is coupled to the body and the cavity therein for directing the pressurized CO.sub.2 snow toward the workpiece. The exhaust nozzle is operated in an overexpanded mode for containing the shockwave within the nozzle for reducing the shear noise therefrom. Pressurized air is injected into the elongated cavity for exhausting the CO.sub.2 snow under pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for cutting kerfs in rock is shown and described. In one embodiment, a single fan jet is mounted in ultrahigh-pressure tubing. In an alternative embodiment, a manifold in which two fan jets are mounted is coupled to a manifold in which two round jets are mounted, such that the twin fan jets are directed so as to cover the entire width of the kerf and the round jets are directed towards the edges of the kerf to cut out a well defined kerf. In another alternative embodiment, an angled fan nozzle is mounted in ultrahigh-pressure tubing and combined in a system with another angled fan nozzle mounted in ultrahigh-pressure tubing such that the angled fan jets may be directed at opposite walls of a kerf to carve out a well defined kerf of a desired depth.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for introducing a particulate matter along with a driving liquid, such as water, into a ground surface. The apparatus is also highly effective for perforating and thereby aerating the ground surface. The particulate matter may preferably adopt the form of a powder like substance often referred to as "polymer" and which is injected into the ground for purposes of acting as a plant food or a plant additive in various agricultural operations. The apparatus utilizes an injector device for mixing the polymer or other particulate matter with the driving liquid, such as water, at a point in close proximity to the ground surface so that there is no pre-mixing of the particulate matter and the driving liquid. The driving liquid is pumped to the injector at a high pressure and introduced into a high pressure chamber of the injector. The liquid is then forced through a very small diameter nipple opening leading to a low-pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector dosing mechanism (1) for an apparatus, in particular a sandblasting mechanism (30), for dosed addition to a liquid, such as anticorrosive agent, to a stream produced by the apparatus, having a container (2) for taking up the liquid and a connecting pipe (31) leading to the pipe (32) carrying the stream, the apparatus being operated via a switch-on mechanism (33). To permit a constant dosage of liquid without readjustment in a constant or varying air stream or even despite interruption of the air stream, a control valve (17, 18) controlled via a switching mechanism is disposed in the connecting pipe (31), the switching [means] mechanism being coupled with the switch-on [means] mechanism (33) of the apparatus and switching the control valve (17, 18) in accordance with the pulses from the switch-on [means] mechanism.

Abstract: A supersonic fan nozzle for abrasive blast removal of coatings particularly for use with plastic abrasive media, provides much greater media particle velocity, a more uniform velocity profile, and a more uniform media particle distribution than prior art nozzles. The new nozzle has a constant height throat area about 1 inch long, about 1.57 inches wide, and about 0.125 inche high. The throat opens into a constant height diverging slot which diverges at about a 6.5 degree half-angle for about 9.5 inches to a final exit width of about 3.75 inches. A nozzle-to-hose coupling connects at one end to a conventionally sized blasting hose and at the other by a rectangular opening to the throat. Used with light plastic media entrained in an airflow stream at operating pressures of 15 to 80 psig, the nozzle has successfully removed coatings from a variety of delicate underlying substrates with little or no observable damage to the substrates.

Abstract: A blast nozzle is provided for cleaning a surface with a blast media which is softer and more friable than sand such as sodium bicarbonate and which comprises an inlet section which contains a passageway which converges substantially along only one .[.planar axis.]. .Iadd.direction .Iaddend.to a rectangular venturi orifice and a fan-shaped outlet section which contains a passageway which diverges along substantially only one .[.planar axis.]. .Iadd.direction .Iaddend.perpendicular to the .[.planar axis.]. .Iadd.direction .Iaddend.of convergence of the converging passageway, the inlet passageway being .[.greater.]. .Iadd.longer .Iaddend.than twice the diameter of the inlet of the nozzle so as to provide streamlined flow and reduce turbulent flow of the friable blast media in the blast nozzle. The passageways in the blast nozzle are formed by opposed modular structures which are releasably secured to the nozzle and can be changed to change the length and angle of convergence and expansion ratio of the nozzle.