Abstract: An apparatus for forming a block from carbon dioxide particle is configured to allow changing between precise thicknesses with very little downtime, utilizing both weight based and volumetric dosing. A spacer supports the lower ejection piston during block forming, with a shuttle discharging particles into the forming chamber while simultaneously pushing a previously formed block on to a conveyor. In one embodiment, the shuttle dosing cavity has a volume that is greater than the volume of the forming chamber volume, which allows more pellets, volumetrically, to be dosed into the dosing cavity than the volume of the forming cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a block from carbon dioxide particle is configured to allow changing between precise thicknesses with very little downtime, utilizing both weight based and volumetric dosing. A spacer supports the lower ejection piston during block forming, with a shuttle discharging particles into the forming chamber while simultaneously pushing a previously formed block on to a conveyor. In one embodiment, the shuttle dosing cavity has a volume that is greater than the volume of the forming chamber volume, which allows more pellets, volumetrically, to be dosed into the dosing cavity than the volume of the forming cavity.

Abstract: An entrained particle flow turning device capable of turning entrained particle fluid flow about an abrupt turn without significant particle size and mass degradation provides significant improvement as part of a complete particle blast system. The turning base allows for preservation of independent particle mass during fluid transportation through a delivery hose ending with passage into a blast nozzle through an abrupt angular change in particle direction. The turning base allows access and confined areas for preferred ergonomic characteristics.

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: This invention is directed to a flow diverter valve for directing a flow of high pressure transport gas with carbon dioxide pellets entrained therein from a single inlet to a selected one of a plurality of outlets. The flow diverter valve includes a system of face seals and shaft seals adjacent the inlet and outlet ends in order to prevent the leakage of high pressure gas from the flow path.

Abstract: There is provided a counterbalance assembly for use in combination with a rotatable robotic arm and the like in a robotic manipulator, where the robotic arm is rotated about an axis by a torque-producing device having a relatively stationary base. The assembly further includes a torsional spring comprising a pair of concentric tubes connected to each other by rubber, with one tube connected to the arm and the other tube connected to the base. In general, any torque created by the influence of gravity acting on the robotic arm, as it is rotated, is counterpoised by torsional wind-up in the spring due to proportional resistance of the rubber to torsional shear. This spring/arm combination thereby reduces the load on the torque-producing device.