Abstract: In order to clean work pieces such as castings a work piece is loaded into a cage and continuously rotated while being continuously advanced past a means for propelling particulate cleaning means at the work piece.

Abstract: A blast chamber is disclosed which employs a rotary cylinder having openings therein for permitting the entry and exit of a part to be blast cleaned. The cylinder is enclosed in a housing in such a manner that when the openings through the housing and cylinder are aligned, a part to be cleaned can enter or exit the chamber. When the openings are misaligned, the chamber is sealed to prevent the escape of particulate during the blast process. The invention is suitable for use with a conveyor system for substantially continuous operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable blast cleaning unit employing one or more airless centrifugal blasting wheels for throwing particulate against a surface to be treated. By use of separate modules, the cleaning unit can be adapted for side cleaning of vertically disposed surfaces or upblast cleaning of horizontal surfaces. The cleaning unit includes means for effecting a sealing relation with the surface to be treated and for recovering and air washing the blast media to remove the debris generated by the blasting process. The air wash separating means is contained directly in the blasting head so that a completely portable and self-contained unit capable of recycling the particulate is obtained.

Abstract: A finishing device in the form of an annular bowl adapted to house media and parts to be finished and means for imparting vibratory energy to the bowl to cause the media and parts to progress in agitated movement about the bowl, means for unloading the parts without removal of media from the bowl in which use is made of barriers introduced to extend angularly into the bowl with the barriers spaced one from the other across the bowl by an amount greater than the maximum cross-section of the media but less than the cross-section of the parts whereby the parts are retained by the barriers and caused to travel up the inclined barriers while the media continues through the barriers for continued excursion about the bowl.

Abstract: A pneumatic bypass system for air wash separators is disclosed. The system detects a surge or overflow of sand passing into an air wash separator by means of a pressure probe located in the vicinity of the separator's swinging baffle. When a sand surge is detected, a pressure drop is produced in the probe tube operating a pressure switch and solenoid valve for actuating a pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly for opening the swinging baffle to permit the sand surge to pass the separator lip.

Abstract: A surface treatment device is disclosed which is capable of effecting surface treatment of the inside and outside of large diameter pipe sections. The device preferably employs an airless centrifugal blast wheel mounted on a support arm which is extensible into and out of the interior of the pipe section or, alternatively, along the exterior of the pipe section. The support arm contains the necessary power cables and ducts to connect the blast head to a dust collector and control panel. The pipe section is rotated on a motorized roller bed.

Abstract: A flow valve for controlling magnetizable abrasive fed to a centrifugal wheel which includes a tubular valve member pivotally mounted for rocking movement between open and closed position and a magnet disposed adjacent the outlet end of the valve for buildup of magnetizable abrasive when in closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finishing parts is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of concentric circular members of different radii having a horizontal axis resiliently mounted to a base for orbital vibration. Parts and a finishing media are introduced into a closed annular chamber defined by the area between the circular members. Orbital vibration causes the parts and media to move in a helical path having a substantially vertical plane around the inner member to a discharge opening. At the discharge opening the parts are separated from the media, which is then classified and portions thereof are returned to the chamber. A motor driven eccentric shaft mounted co-axially of the circular members produces the orbital motion.

Abstract: A device for continuous blast treatment of parts is disclosed. The device employs an overhead monorail conveyor for carrying parts to be treated into a blast chamber where the parts are subject to a particulate blast, as for example, abrasive treatment. At least one rotary vestibule is employed to convey the parts on the monorail into and out of the blast chamber while providing dynamic abrasive tight sealing of the entrance and exit openings to the blast chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing molding sand from a cast part. The apparatus includes an open framework vibratory mechanism for causing movement of the molded parts through a tunnel-like member. This movement shakes and jolts the parts to loosen sand and free it from the casting. Also provided are particulate blasting means located at strategic positions in the tunnel enhancing removal of the mold sand.

Abstract: A flow control valve for magnetic abrasive is disclosed. The valve employs a plurality of permanent magnets spaced around its circumference to set up a magnetic flux pattern. A valve disc of magnetic material mounted to a shaft for rotation is provided for controlling flow through the valve. When in the closed position, the disc completes the flux pattern set up by the magnets, preventing flow of magnetic abrasive through the valve without the need for effecting a complete mechanical seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing mechanical energy utilizing the sun's rays is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuously rotating structure having a plurality of thermally actuated pump units, consisting of a temperature sensitive cell and a piston assembly, mounted thereon. A focusing means concentrates solar rays on a number of the cells causing the expansion of material contained in each cell, resulting in the extension of a piston rod, the compression of a cylinder within the piston assembly and the transfer of fluid contained therein to a high pressure accumulator for operating hydraulic motors or the like. When rotated from under the focusing means, the cell cools resulting in a decrease in volume of the expansible material and a retraction of the piston rod causing fluid to enter the piston assembly from a reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrubbing particles of sand used in foundry molding is disclosed. The device utilizes a rotating impellor surrounded by a stationary control cage having at least one upwardly positioned opening therein to project sand against a target. The sand rebounds from the target and is continually intercepted and impacted by subsequent grains of sand hurled by the impellor through the control cage opening. The device produces a scrubbing action on the particles by the repeated and continual contact with each to reduce binder buildup from the molding process. A first stage scrubbing of the particles is obtained by causing the particles to be compacted between the rotating impellor and the control cage prior to their being thrown against the target. The sand particles may be recycled through the device any number of times in order to increase the scrubbing effect and further reduce binder buildup.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a surface over which vehicles travel with particulate material is disclosed. Particulate material is projected onto the surface with kinetic energy exceeding the bonding energy of the surface or the bonding energy of a deposit adhering to the surface which it is desired to remove. In the former case the method effects texturing of the vehicular surface by pitting thereof. In the latter case the method effects cleaning of the surface by removing the bonded deposits therefrom. Additionally, the method can be used for preparing a surface for repaving or for removing ice therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable upblast cleaning head which makes use of an airless centrifugal blasting wheel for throwing particulate in an upwardly direction against the underside of a horizontally disposed surface. The head includes means for effecting a sealing relation with the surface to be treated and for recovery and air wash separation of the blasting particulate from deposits and residue which are removed by the blasting process. The separating means is contained directly in the blasting head so that a completely portable and self-contained unit capable of recycling the particulate is obtained.

Abstract: A sand reclamation system is disclosed for reconditioning and sizing sand utilized in precision molding. The system includes particulate blasting wheels for breaking down the sand molds and reducing them to discrete particles. A conveyor, a first air wash for separating the particulate used for blasting from the granular sand and a second special air wash for separating undersized sand particles from those which may be reused for further molding. The second air wash utilizes a modified air wash separator employing a surge bypass arrangement to insure a constant feed rate therethrough.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for surface treatment with particulate material thrown onto the surface at high velocity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a device or features for removing from the surface the particulate material and debris generated by the treating process. The removing features include a magnetic drum for attracting ferromagnetic material, a vacuum packup for removing nonmagnetic material, and a plurality of air jets for positioning and lifting the material to increase the efficiency of the recovery process. The recovered material is separated according to content and the particulate is recycled for reuse.