Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting solid particles such as dry ice into an airstream using an airlock having a spherical valve member with spaced through ports and rotatable between an annular seal on one side of the spherical member for feeding the particles to the fluid stream chamber with an annular seal on the opposite side for sealing a particle feed chamber. The airlock device is useful for sealing fluid stream pressure of about 133 Kg/m2 and temperatures of about 350° R.

Abstract: An abrasive has a plate shape with a flat surface, in which a maximum diameter of the flat surface thereof is in the range of 0.05 mm to 10 mm, and 1.5 to 100 times as the maximum diameter as thick of the adhesive, and the blast processing method is one in which this abrasive is ejected by being inclined at an incident angle with respect to a surface of a product to be treated. The ejected plate-shaped abrasive slides along the surface of the product to be treated while having the flat surface in slidable contact with the surface of the product to be treated which is an object surface to be treated, so that the surface of the product to be treated is flattened by removing the peaks only, without increasing the depth of the valleys of the roughness curve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sponge blasting apparatus comprising: a recovering unit which sucks and recovers a blasting medium jetted out of a nozzle; a sorting unit which sorts the blasting medium sucked and recovered by the recovering unit into a reusable blasting medium and an unreusable blasting medium; a blower which gives a sucking force to the recovering unit via the sorting unit; a dust collector which removes dust from an exhaust air discharged from the sorting unit with a sucking force of the blower; a picking-apart unit which picks apart the reusable blasting medium sorted by the sorting unit; a continuous feeder which, having at least two reservoir tanks into which the reusable blasting medium picked apart by the picking-apart unit is inputted, changes over the two tanks between each other to continuously feed the nozzle with the blasting medium deposited in the tanks; and a carrier which carries to the continuous feeder the reusable blasting medium sorted by the sorting unit.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a turntable which holds a turbine part at a predetermined position, the turn table being rotatably supported by a support member, and rotated and driven by a driving motor, an abrasive feeding unit which feeds an abrasive particle having an elastic material as a core to a predetermined position as an abrasive, and a polishing head including an impeller which is rotated and driven by an impeller driving motor at high speed and applies rotary energy to the abrasive particle to be supplied from the abrasive feeding unit, the polishing head injecting the abrasive particle flying from the tangential direction of the impeller at a predetermined speed toward a surface to be polished of the turbine part held on the turntable, and an abrasive recovery unit which recovers the abrasive particle provided for polishing of the turbine part from the polishing head, and feeding into the abrasive feeding unit.

Abstract: A particulate blasting apparatus includes a blast vessel having an interior for storing abrasive particulate. The blast vessel has an inlet for introducing a pressurized gas into the interior of the blast vessel and an outlet for allowing the passage of the pressurized gas and particulate. A flexible blast hose is coupled at one end to the outlet for directing particulate flow from the outlet and a blast nozzle is coupled to an opposite end of the blast hose. A metering valve regulates different amounts of particulate flow from the blast vessel through the outlet. A flow actuator is coupled to the metering valve for actuating the metering valve. A controller associated with the blast nozzle in communication with the actuator controls the actuator from the blast nozzle during blasting operations. The blasting apparatus may be used as part of a blasting system that includes a compressor unit for providing the pressurized gas.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a quartz substrate includes preparing a substrate to provide a working surface having an initial roughness; and then ultrasonically acid-etching the working surface to increase the roughness of the working surface by at least about 10%. In one embodiment, the initial surface roughness is greater than about 10 Ra, and in another embodiment the initial surface roughness is greater than about 200 Ra. In a still further embodiment, the initial surface area, if less than about 200 Ra, is increased to greater than about 200 Ra. In other embodiments of the present invention, the working surface roughness is increased by at least about 25% or at least about 50%. Simultaneous with the increase in surface area (as measured by the roughness), the surface defects are reduced to reduce particulate contamination from the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to test the abrasion resistance of materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a conduit network, a primary air stream generating device to generate a primary air stream in the conduit network, a secondary air stream generating device to produce a secondary air stream in the conduit network, and a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit network so that the particulate enters the secondary air stream. The conduit network merges the secondary air stream into the primary air stream to allow the particulate to enter the primary air stream, and allow the primary air stream to blow the particulate at a test sample positioned within the conduit network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating an article surface. The method comprises removing a metal oxide surface from the metal substrate to expose a metal surface; and delivering particles comprising a dopant from at least one fluid jet to the metal surface to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant. The method also comprises delivering substantially simultaneously a first set of particles comprising a dopant and a second set of particles comprising an abrasive from at least one fluid jet to a surface of an article to impregnate the surface of the article with the dopant.

Abstract: A nozzle unit for generating an abrasive jet. The nozzle unit has a first nozzle connected to a pressurized carrier fluid supply; a mixing chamber in which the first nozzle discharges; and a second nozzle connected to the mixing chamber. An abrasive particle inlet discharges in the mixing chamber. A proportion of the cross sectional area of the first nozzle opening (A1) and the cross sectional area of the second nozzle opening (A2) is in a range of 0.50-1.0.

Abstract: The peeling of a reaction product deposition film 50 is prevented, reducing the particle contamination of a material to be treated 16 by roughening the surfaces (adhesion preventing surfaces) of an outer liner 40 and inner liner 42 both made of aluminum installed as an adhesion preventing plate inside a chamber of a plasma etching device to a surface roughness within a constant range without carrying out alumite treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for testing an aged surface on an implant, methods for regenerating a hydrophilic and osteophilic surface on the implant and kits therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for modifying a surface of a component is provided. In use, a surface of a component is translated relative to at least one jet for a period of time to form a plurality of features thereon.

Abstract: This method for manufacturing a surface-coated cutting insert includes clamping and holding a surface-coated cutting insert with a pair of rotary shafts which are rotatable around an axis, and jetting an abrasive fluid to the surface of the surface-coated cutting insert using at least one blasting gun while rotating the surface-coated cutting insert, thereby, conducting wet blasting.

Abstract: In a method of producing a stamper for roughening a substrate of an optical recording medium, a masking treatment is carried out prior to a blasting treatment, whereby a second pit forming site of a metal plate is protected such that the second pit forming site is not broken in the following blasting treatment. A mask of an adhesive sheet is attached to the second pit forming site in the masking treatment, and then a part of one major surface of the metal plate, exposed between the mask, is roughened in the blasting treatment. An original stamper of the metal plate, having a partly roughened major surface, is obtained by the blasting treatment.

Abstract: A portion to be coated of a workpiece is subjected to substrate treatment by blasting to provide an anchor effect without leaving abrasive grains thereon. A substrate treatment method for a portion to be coated includes ejecting an elastic abrasive onto a portion to be coated of a workpiece to form irregularities with a predetermined surface roughness, thereby providing an anchor effect for a coating to be formed without causing the abrasive grains to be embedded in the surface of the workpiece. The elastic abrasive includes elastic carriers and abrasive grains, particularly, insulating abrasive grains, compounded and dispersed in the base material as an elastic body or carried on surfaces of the base materials by, for example, adhesion.

Abstract: A shot-blasting installation (1) for blasting work pieces (30) made from light metal alloys, comprising at least one blasting chamber (3) for receiving the work pieces that are to be blasted, at least two blasting wheels (6) arranged in walls of the blasting chamber for introducing a blasting agent into the blasting chamber, and a separator (8) for separating the mixture of blasting agent and material that has been removed by blasting, wherein the separator (8) is arranged directly beneath the blasting chamber (3), and wherein a manipulator (10) for handling the cast work piece (30) during blasting is arranged in the blasting chamber (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling a desired pocket in a solid workpiece uses an abrasive fluid-jet by moving and suitably orienting the abrasive fluid-jet relative to the workpiece. The method includes defining a path of the abrasive fluid-jet necessary to mill a desired pocket in the solid workpiece. The path is defined by a number of parameters. The parameters include a translation velocity, a fluid pressure, and an abrasive fluid-jet position and orientation relative to the workpiece. Generating a command set is according to the defined path and is configured to drive a computer numerical control manipulator system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recovery device of a blasting medium for recovering a blasting medium after use, which has been injected to a work and has fallen therefrom, into a solid-gas separating tank by suctioning with a suction blower, wherein the solid-gas separating tank comprising: a sucking unit of the blasting medium; a vertically rising pipe provided in a vertical direction and adapted to connect the sucking unit and a tank body; a cushioning member disposed opposedly to an upper exit of the vertically rising pipe; a sieve into which the blasting medium that has collided against the cushioning member reducing its velocity falls, and which vibrates to classify a reusable blasting medium and a non-reusable blasting medium; an outlet portion for the reusable blasting medium classified by the sieve and an outlet portion for the non-reusable blasting medium; and an airflow path provided downstream of the sieve in an air current direction, and connected to the suction blower.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing scale from the surfaces of processed sheet metal and tubular metal employs a scale removing medium propelled by counter-rotating pairs of wheels positioned in close proximity to the metal surfaces.

Abstract: This method for manufacturing a surface-coated cutting insert includes clamping and holding a surface-coated cutting insert with a pair of rotary shafts which are rotatable around an axis, and jetting an abrasive fluid to the surface of the surface-coated cutting insert using at least one blasting gun while rotating the surface-coated cutting insert, thereby, conducting wet blasting.

Abstract: A steam boiler module or steam boiler assembly or a power station component is composed essentially of an alloyed, in particular chromium-containing material and consists, at least in part of a material which has been treated by surface blasting (shot-peening/shot blasting). With steam boilers having outlet temperatures of ?700° C. in power station components, in particular steam generator modules, the material provides an adequate strength, in particular long-term rupture strength and an adequate corrosion resistance as well as oxidation resistance. The material has a ferritic or martensitic or austenitic structure having a mean chromium content ?18% by weight, and at least a module surface or module group surface or component surface that has been treated, at least in part, by surface blasting (shot-peening/shot blasting).

Abstract: A method for water jet stripping and recontouring of a coated article of manufacture is provided. The method includes dimensionally scanning the coated article and establishing a three-dimensional model for the coated article. The method further includes establishing a set of reduced dimensional profiles for recontouring and then analyzing whether the reduced profiles are satisfactory for subsequent operation. A jet spraying program is established for removal of the coating and the surface base material to each predetermined reduced dimensional profile.

Abstract: A method for improving surface thermal shock resistance of a member made of ceramics to which thermal shock resistance is required comprising, forming homogeneously distributed linear dislocation structure on the surface of the member made of ceramics to which thermal shock resistance is required by blasting abrasives composed of fine particles whose average particle size is from 5 ?m to 200 ?m and whose surface shape is convex, wherein Vickers hardness (HV) of said fine particles is 800 or more and equal to or less than the hardness of the member made of ceramics to which thermal shock resistance is required.

Abstract: A process for selectively stripping a coating from a component of a turbomachine, and particularly a coating having a ceramic matrix that contains metallic particles dispersed therein that render the coating more difficult to remove from the component after the component has been subjected to elevated temperatures during operation of the turbomachine. The process generally includes immersing the component in an aqueous solution containing ferric chloride, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid, for a duration sufficient to attack the metallic particles in the coating. The component is then removed from the aqueous solution and its surface rinsed of the aqueous solution. The immersing and removing steps are then sequentially repeated a sufficient number of times to sufficiently attack the metallic particles to enable the coating to be mechanically removed from the component.

Abstract: An apparatus for etching a workpiece in which a first abrasive particulate material, for example aluminium oxide, and a second particulate material, for example glass dust, are entrained together in a stream of gas. The apparatus recycles exhaust particulate material by introducing it into said gas stream, the exhaust particulate material including particulate material removed from the workpiece by the action of the gas stream with entrained particulate material. The apparatus is particularly suited for etching toughened glass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing scale from the surfaces of processed sheet metal employs a scale removing medium propelled by counter-rotating pairs of wheels positioned in close proximity to the sheet metal surfaces.

Abstract: A process for treating a surface (2) to clean or otherwise treat the surface (2) comprises a step of contacting the surface (2) with a particulate treating agent such that at least some of the particles (1) roll along at least a portion of the surface (2), wherein an angle of incidence of the particles (1) and the surface is between 0° and 60°. The particles (1) are dimensioned to effect a rolling movement along the surface (2). The treating agent is substantially non-aqueous. The particles (1) comprise a precipitate or agglomerate of an insoluble alkali metal carbonate. The process comprises a blasting operation or a manual application. The use of the process of the invention in dental applications such as teeth whitening and plaque removal, treating bone, and skin exfoliation, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing surface coatings on gas turbine components and/or for measuring abrasive material residues on gas turbine components, including: -abrasively blasting a surface of the component using an abrasive material, a portion of this abrasive material remaining on or in this surface of the component; -detecting abrasive material which has remained on or in the surface of the component; and -applying a coating to the surface of the component is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to test the abrasion resistance of materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a conduit network, a primary air stream generating device to generate a primary air stream in the conduit network, a secondary air stream generating device to produce a secondary air stream in the conduit network, and a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit network so that the particulate enters the secondary air stream. The conduit network merges the secondary air stream into the primary air stream to allow the particulate to enter the primary air stream, and allow the primary air stream to blow the particulate at a test sample positioned within the conduit network.

Abstract: A method for water jet stripping and recontouring of a coated article of manufacture is provided. The method includes dimensionally scanning the coated article and establishing a three-dimensional model for the coated article. The method further includes establishing a set of reduced dimensional profiles for recontouring and then analyzing whether the reduced profiles are satisfactory for subsequent operation. A jet spraying program is established for removal of the coating and the surface base material to each predetermined reduced dimensional profile.

Abstract: A method of forming an opening through a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side includes abrasive machining a first portion of the opening into the substrate from the second side toward the first side, and abrasive machining a second portion of the opening into the substrate from the first side toward the second side. Abrasive machining one of the first or second portion includes communicating the first or second portion with the other of the first or second portion to form the opening through the substrate.

Abstract: A simple yet effective system for cleaning fans and air circulators facilitates the cleaning of ceiling and hard-to-reach units without having to remove the blades or other parts to be cleaned. A flexible bag encloses parts of a fan to be cleaned. A source of compressed air is used for inflating the bag, and a source of vacuum is used for collecting particulates used for cleaning. A user-controlled nozzle is used for spraying particulates against parts of the fan to be cleaned. The user-controlled nozzle terminates in a narrow tube operative to puncture the bag, which is preferably a transparent plastic bag. The source of compressed air and the source of vacuum may share a common vacuum unit with particulate filter such as a “shop-vac” type of equipment. The particulates used for cleaning may include any suitable abrasive though, in the preferred embodiment, granulated walnut or other nut shells are used. In contrast to devices that clean with liquids, the enclosure may envelope the motor and blades.

Abstract: A system for removing film from a planar substrate includes a shuttle which transports a film-coated substrate through a film removal station to a rotation station. At the rotation station, the substrate is removed from the shuttle and rotated to a new orientation. After being repositioned on the shuttle, the substrate is transported by the shuttle through a second film removal station.

Abstract: A plasma display panel that is capable of reducing power consumption and improving exhaust efficiency.

Abstract: A throwing wheel comprising a mounting element having a central axis with a plurality of blades connected to the mounting element. Each of the blades has an inner end, a first portion of the inner end and a second portion of the inner end. A plurality of locking mechanisms is associated with the respective plurality of blades. Each of the locking mechanisms comprises at least one biasing element which biases the blade away from the central axis of the mounting body and connects each of the blades to the mounting element.

Abstract: An unexpanded perlite ore polishing composition is shown. The composition comprises base material having grains of unexpanded perlite ore of a selected distribution of particle sizes which undergo fracturing of the grains as a function of an abrasive force applied to the base material. The selected distribution of particle sizes includes a significant volume of grains of unexpanded perlite ore having a (d90) particle size in a range of about 101 to about 229 ?m. The base material is responsive to an abrasive force being applied thereto during polishing resulting in continued fracturing of the grains of unexpanded perlite ore to yield a final polishing composition having a sufficiently low level of abrasiveness under said abrasive force making it suitable for use in polishing. Compositions for polishing acrylic dentures and CRT tube surfaces using the unexpanded perlite ore polishing composition and methods for polishing the same are also shown.

Abstract: Honeycomb removal comprises directing a nozzle at the surface of a substrate at an angle of less than about 90° such that the water will strike the substrate at the base of the honeycomb, parallel to the direction of the ribbon which forms the honeycomb structure. Water then passes through the nozzle and through the orifice at a pressure and flow rate sufficient to remove the honeycomb and preferably the underlying braze from the substrate surface. Relative motion is created between the substrate and the nozzle such that the water stream advances to an area which honeycomb has not been removed with the stream continually being directed at the base of the honeycomb.

Abstract: A particulate media/fluid delivery system comprises a tank for containing a supply of particulate media, preferably an abrasive powder. A modulator is disposed upstream of the tank for modulating the pressure of air flowing therethrough. A mixing chamber is adjacent to the tank, and an orifice is provided for delivering particulate media from the tank into the mixing chamber. A fluid inlet delivers fluid from the modulator to the tank, and a bypass tube is disposed adjacent to the fluid inlet for receiving fluid from the fluid inlet and delivering the fluid into the tank. A discharge port is provided for delivering a fluid/particulate media mixture to a tool. Control of the fluid/particulate is via differential modulation pressure. This differential modulation pressure is a function of two mechanisms, namely, the modulator in the system, including bypass (or blend) air around it that is metered, and the aforementioned bypass tube.

Abstract: The flow of media in shot peening, blast cleaning, and similar equipment is improved by applying a time varying magnetic field to the media to thereby degauss the media, allowing the media to flow through equipment without clogging and clumping due to magnetic attraction between the media.

Abstract: A process for cutting a sheet glass includes a first step of forming a groove conformed to a cutting shape in one surface of a sheet glass by a water jet, and a second step of forming a groove in the other surface of the sheet glass by a water jet to reach the groove, which are carried out sequentially, thereby cutting the sheet glass. Thus, the sheet glass can be cut by the water jets, while preventing occurrence of breaking or cranking, without need for a post-processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blast processing method for removing a deposit adhered onto a surface of a ceramic heater formed of aluminum nitride by blowing a blasting material onto the surface. Abrasive grains made of silicon carbide or aluminum oxide and having a grain size of #400 to #800 are used as the blasting material, and a blast pressure as a pressure when the blasting material collides with the surface of the ceramic heater is set at 40 to 150 gf/cm2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sponge blasting apparatus comprising: a recovering unit which sucks and recovers a blasting medium jetted out of a nozzle; a sorting unit which sorts the blasting medium sucked and recovered by the recovering unit into a reusable blasting medium and an unreusable blasting medium; a blower which gives a sucking force to the recovering unit via the sorting unit; a dust collector which removes dust from an exhaust air discharged from the sorting unit with a sucking force of the blower; a picking-apart unit which picks apart the reusable blasting medium sorted by the sorting unit; a continuous feeder which, having at least two reservoir tanks into which the reusable blasting medium picked apart by the picking-apart unit is inputted, changes over the two tanks between each other to continuously feed the nozzle with the blasting medium deposited in the tanks; and a carrier which carries to the continuous feeder the reusable blasting medium sorted by the sorting unit.

Abstract: A blasting system for the removal of coatings or paint from an underlying surface uses an optical device to position the blasting nozzle an appropriate stand-off distance from the surface. The blasting media can use a variety of blasting media including abrasives, water, and various specialty blasting media. The preferred optical system is mounted to or integral with the blasting nozzle, and uses a diode laser, a beam splitter and a reflecting mirror to generate a reference beam and a gauge beam. Alternatively, two diode lasers can be used to generate the reference beam and gauge beam respectively. The reference beam propagates in a fixed forward direction, but the direction of the gauge beam is adjustable. The user adjusts the orientation of the gauge beam so that the image of the beam on the surface aligns with the image of the reference beam on the surface when the blasting nozzle is positioned at the appropriate stand-off distance from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blast processing method for removing a deposit adhered onto a surface of a ceramic heater formed of aluminum nitride by blowing a blasting material onto the surface. Abrasive grains made of silicon carbide or aluminum oxide and having a grain size of #400 to #800 are used as the blasting material, and a blast pressure as a pressure when the blasting material collides with the surface of the ceramic heater is set at 40 to 150 gf/cm2.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer regenerating system is capable of easily and efficiently removing fabricating patterns formed on a semiconductor wafer to enable reuse of the semiconductor wafer. The system, which removes patterns of the semiconductor wafer in a dry manner by using blasting grit, includes a mesh conveyor, a grit blaster, a swinging element, a collecting element, a separating element, and a dust collector. The mesh conveyor transports the semiconductor wafer so that the patterns face upward. The grit blaster is installed above the mesh conveyor and has at least one blasting nozzle for blasting grits toward the semiconductor wafer to remove the patterns from the semiconductor wafer. The swinging element swings the blasting nozzle in a plane perpendicular to a transporting path of the semiconductor wafer along the mesh conveyor. The collecting element underneath the mesh conveyor collects pulverulent bodies including grits, chips, and dusts falling from the mesh conveyor.

Abstract: A method of reducing the amount of particulates generated from the surface of a processing component used during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of thin films. The body of the processing component comprises an aluminum alloy, and an exterior surface of said processing component is texturized to increase the amount of surface area present on the exterior surface. The texturizing process includes at least one step in which the surface to be texturized is bead blasted or chemically grained, so that the surface roughness of the texturized surface ranges from about 50 ?-inch Ra to about 1,000 ?-inch Ra.

Abstract: A micro-abrasion device includes a base station, a handpiece configured to spray a powder onto skin, a flexible supply pipe configured to supply powder from the base station to the handpiece, a flexible return pipe configured to return powder from the handpiece to the base station, a first reservoir containing a powder to be supplied to the handpiece via the flexible supply pipe and a first reservoir endpiece initially closed by a puncturable seal, and a second reservoir configured to collect powder returning via the flexible return pipe. The first reservoir and the second reservoir are assembled together and mounted onto the base station during use. Once mounted, the seal is punctured. Preferably the first and second reservoirs are configured so that they cannot be interchangeably mounted on the base station. This prevents reuse of the collected used powder in the second reservoir.

Abstract: A substantially uninterrupted flow of a pressurised abrasive slurry is maintained by successively charging each of a plurality of vessels V1, V2 with an abrasive material while discharging an abrasive slurry from another of the vessels at a common outlet 2. The vessels connect to the common outlet via respective outlet valves OV1, OV2 which are closed to isolate vessels not discharging slurry. The outlet valves are not opened or closed unless there is substantially no pressure differential across the valve and substantially no flow through the valve. In a preferred arrangement, a high pressure pump 1 feeds a carrier fluid such as water to the vessels via respective inlet valves IV1, IV2. Before an outlet valve is opened or closed, any flow through the outlet valve is stopped and the pressure differential across the valve is equalised so that the outlet valve can be opened or closed without any abrasive flow through the valve.

Abstract: A hand-holdable apparatus useful for abrading a surface is provided. The invention is particularly useful for dental applications using a stream of abrasive particles suspended in a gas stream to abrade the surface of a tooth. The apparatus of the invention may be modified to easily minimize “bleed down” of the gas/abrasive stream using a pinch valve and to remove worn flexible conduits for routine maintenance and autoclaving of the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also provides a novel pick-up assembly for delivery of abrasive particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strength-enhancing apparatus for a metal part comprising a recovery mechanism for sucking powder flow dust generated from glass beads crushed on a surface of a gear in a chamber to recover it together with drainage, wherein the recovery mechanism includes a liquid-spouting means arranged on a ceiling in the chamber, for effecting showering for the whole interior of the chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably recover the mist containing the powder flow dust floating in the chamber, and it is possible to reliably avoid adhesion and accumulation of the powder flow dust.