Abstract: A method for removing a surface coating by impinging an area of impingement of the surface coating with photon energy while simultaneously impinging the area of impingement with a cryogenic particle blast flow.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for practicing carbon dioxide particle blasting utilizing dense carbon dioxide pellets which have been formed by converting the solid carbon dioxide into liquid, flowing that liquid within a plurality of die openings, and transforming the liquid back into the solid phase while still within the die opening. This method includes the formation of a carbon dioxide cake within a snow barrel, urging the carbon dioxide cake against an upstream surface of a die plate having a plurality of die openings with such pressure such that the carbon dioxide becomes liquified within or adjacent the entrance of the die opening due to the pressure, responding as a super viscous liquid, and flowing within a portion of the respective die openings as a liquid. Along the length of the die openings, the liquid changes phase back to the solid state, while the die openings maintain compression (accompanying the back pressure) on the CO.sub.2 to create pellets having a high density.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for practicing carbon dioxide particle blasting utilizing dense carbon dioxide pellets which have been formed by converting the solid carbon dioxide into liquid, flowing that liquid within a plurality of die openings, and transforming the liquid back into the solid phase while still within the die opening. This method includes the formation of a carbon dioxide cake within a snow barrel, urging the carbon dioxide cake against an upstream surface of a die plate having a plurality of die openings with such pressure such that the carbon dioxide becomes liquified within or adjacent the entrance of the die opening due to the pressure, responding as a super viscous liquid, and flowing within a portion of the respective die openings as a liquid. Along the length of the die openings, the liquid changes phase back to the solid state, while the die openings maintain compression (accompanying the back pressure) on the CO.sub.2 to create pellets having a high density.

Abstract: An improved particle blast cleaning apparatus and process featuring sublimable pellets as the particulate media is described as having a source of sublimable pellets, a housing defining an internal cavity having spaced pellet receiving and discharge stations, and a radial transport rotor for transporting the pellets from the receiving station to the discharge station. The radial transport rotor further includes a plurality of transport cavities each being formed in the circumferential surface of the radial transport rotor to receive the pellets for radial transport between the receiving and discharge station. The receiving station is in communication with the source of sublimable pellets, and has a mechanically assisted flow of the pellets to the transport cavities. Also included is a discharge nozzle and a high pressure transport gas source for conveying the pellets from the discharge station to the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for deflashing unwanted material from manufactured articles and more particularly a method for deflashing rigid reaction injection molded articles The method includes the steps of providing a continuous flow of frozen pellets, providing a workpiece having flashing, directing the flow of frozen pellets at the flashing and the workpiece, and impacting the flashing and the workpiece with the frozen pellets.

Abstract: A sound attenuating supersonic nozzle has an exit to throat ratio in the range of 2.5 to 6.0, with longitudinal grooves formed in the interior wall of the supersonic passageway of the nozzle body. A shield is disposed about the exterior surface of the nozzle body, forming an exit cavity and an exit opening, and has a gill cavity through which auxiliary air flows into the exit cavity and mixes with the supersonic flow.

Abstract: A high efficiency phase change nozzle has a body with primary orifices, a pilot nozzle extends upstream from the body and has a pilot orifice and central cavity through which a pilot flow of liquid is flashed to the solid state, cooling the pilot nozzle, thereby precooling the liquid before it flows through the primary orifices. An exit nozzle, in conjunction with a housing, assists in continuing the phase change of the mixture exiting the primary orifices and with dispersing the mixture into the downstream cavity.

Abstract: An improved particle blast cleaning apparatus and process featuring sublimable pellets as the particulate media is described as having a source of sublimable pellets, a housing defining an internal cavity having spaced pellet receiving and discharge stations, and a radial transport rotor for transporting the pellets from the receiving station to the discharge station. The radial transport rotor further includes a plurality of transport cavities each being formed in the circumferential surface of the radial transport rotor to receive the pellets for radial transport between the receiving and discharge station. The receiving station is in communication with the source of sublimable pellets, and has a mechanically assisted flow of the pellets to the transport cavities. Also included is a discharge nozzle and a high pressure transport gas source for conveying the pellets from the discharge station to the discharge nozzle.