Abstract: An improved hopper and conveyance tube combination which is resistant to clogging and more easily loaded. Material is delivered from the hopper and into the conveyance tube through an inlet opening in the side of the conveyance tube. Because the inlet opening is in the side of the conveyance tube, the tube can not become completely clogged. Air or conveying fluid is always able to move through the conveyance tube and eventually conveys all of the materials to the desired destination. A ramp connected to the rim of the hopper permits materials on the floor to be easily swept up the ramp and into the hopper.

Abstract: A system for cleaning or separating particles that uses a controller or computer to precisely control the cleaning or separating process. By carefully monitoring and controlling the separating process, an improved degree of separation is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the invention controls a particle separating machine which uses upward airflow in a channel to separate less dense particles from heavier or more dense particles. Upward airflow is induced in the channel by an airflow means. A wind speed sensor measures the air velocity in the channel and communicates this data to a controller. An operator inputs targeted or desired upward air velocity to the controller. The controller commands the airflow means to increase or decrease airflow in the channel so that upward air velocity in the channel remains comparable to the targeted upward air velocity input from the operator. Particles entering the channel are separated to a high degree because of the precisely controlled airflow.

Abstract: A media recovery hopper which lies on a floor permitting spent media and debris to be swept thereinto. The hopper, in the preferred embodiment, is a substantially rectangular box having one of its four side walls shorter than the rest. The media/debris is swept over this shorter side wall while the other walls collect and "queue" the mixture for recovery. The mixture falls through a screen and into a channeling mechanism composed of a series of ridges and valleys. Along each valley are drop-orifices which permit the media/debris mixture to fall therethrough and into an air-stream which carries the mixture to proper collection or sorting mechanism.

Abstract: An air filtration system with a safety after-filter that prevents contaminated air being exhausted by using a backup filter and with a mechanism to detect tears or leaks in the primary filters. The safety after-filter assembly attaches to the exhaust of an air filtration system and collects dirt particles which get by the primary filters. Detection of rips, tears, or leaks in the primary filters is accomplished by monitoring the air pressure difference across the safety after-filter and is measured by a differential pressure gauge. If a primary filter develops a tear or leak, the safety after-filter quickly becomes clogged with dirt and the pressure difference across the safety after-filter increases. If the safety after-filter itself develops a tear or leak, the pressure difference across the safety after-filter decreases. Either condition causes alarms to be triggered and the system is powered down, thus preventing contaminated air being exhausted.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system which utilizes a central control panel together with controls operable by the operator's feet. Dual control, at the system panel and the foot operable panel, permit the operator to adjust such parameters as the air pressure and media mix without having to stop blasting. This arrangement also leaves the operator's hands free to accurately direct the abrasive blasting within a glove box or other such enclosure.

Abstract: The interior of a hose is cleaned of debris using an abrasive blast head which is inserted through the length of the hose while the hose is rotated through its longitudial axis. An air cleaner/filtration device draws spent media and removed debris from the hose during the cleaning operation and separates the two.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting system which utilizes a central control panel together with a control panel at the blast handle. Dual control permits the operator to adjust such parameters as the air pressure and media mix without having to stop blasting. Real-time adjustment at the nozzle head permits abrasive blasting of varying substrates without causing damage to the underlying substrates.

Abstract: An air filtration system that reduces positive and/or negative resistance by eliminating duct work to and from the to-be-filtered room. The air filtering system forms a common wall with the to-be-filtered room permitting dirty air to move easily and quickly through to the cleaning process. Through the use of vertical baffles and reverse pulsed jets, debris is easily and efficiently collected in drawers or trays. Because of the modular design of the invention, it is easily placed on a trailer and transported to a locale which is to be cleaned within a flexible room (i.e. bridges, building exteriors, airplanes, etc.).

Abstract: A particle separator which separates particles based upon their relative densities or weights. The mixture of particles is deposited within a gas channel while a flow of gas, created by a gas flow amplifier, separates the material. The gas flow is sufficient to entrain the lighter/less dense particles; but is insufficient to entrain the heavier particles which are allowed to fall into a receptacle. The lighter entrained particles are directed to another receptacle or container.

Abstract: A valve system for the finite control of abrasive media within an abrasive blasting environment. Two valves communicate in series: (i) to stop the flow of abrasive media when the deadman switch is deactivated; and (ii) to adjust the flow of abrasive media into the pressurized hose. The flow of abrasive media is controlled through a control panel housed in the blast handle at the blast site and/or through a control panel at the site of the blast generator.

Abstract: An improved pressure hose handle which is supplied with a "Reverse angle" grip to facilitate use and reduce operator fatigue. The reverse angle, when combined with the rotational ability of the handle, permits the operator to carry the hose either over the shoulder or at waist height. The over the shoulder mode places the weight of the hose upon the operator's legs and thereby reduces fatigue and gives the operator greater control.

Abstract: An improved blast handle that is equipped with an operator input panel to permit the operator, at the blasting site, to adjust the pressure and/or the media mixture ratio. This permits the "fine tuning" of the blast to adjust for changing blast requirements as the substrate material changes. Since the operator has complete control of the blasting parameters, the risk of damaging the substrate or target is minimized.

Abstract: An improved pressure hose handle that rotates freely around a pressure hose and thereby eliminates hose torque being placed upon the operator. This reduces operator fatigue and permits the operator to more accurately control the pressure hose.