Abstract: A blast cabinet (10) for ice blasting an article, the cabinet comprising a housing (11) having an interior support (19) for supporting the article. At least one ice blast nozzle (80) is disposed inside the housing and operable to direct a high speed stream of ice particles towards the article. In an embodiment the ice blast nozzle(s) is mounted on a articulated mount (82) wherein the nozzle can be articulated. An energy management system (30, 130) comprising a heating system is provided to facilitate the removal of spent ice particles, and prevent ice accumulation in the enclosure. In an embodiment of the blast cabinet, the energy management system (130) includes a piping assembly (36) a heat exchanger (37) both disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially continuously producing a stream of ice particulates P for use in performing ice blasting work on a work object W. The present invention includes an extruder assembly, a blast nozzle, and an ice-receiving line. The extruder assembly includes a pressure vessel within which the ice particulates are formed under elevated pressure. The extruder assembly further includes an ice discharge opening. The ice-receiving line has a first end adapted to receive a fluidizing gas from the pressurized air supply source and a second end connected to the blast nozzle. The ice-receiving line is in communication with the extruder assembly ice discharge opening. The pressurized ice particulates P are passed from the pressure vessel discharge opening to the pressurized ice-receiving line. The fluidized ice particulates move via pressure flow towards a blast nozzle to be expelled from the nozzle towards a work object.

Abstract: A blast cabinet (10) for ice blasting an article, the cabinet comprising a housing (11) having an interior support (19) for supporting the article. At least one ice blast nozzle (80) is disposed inside the housing and operable to direct a high speed stream of ice particles towards the article. In an embodiment the ice blast nozzle(s) is mounted on a articulated mount (82) wherein the nozzle can be articulated. An energy management system (30, 130) comprising a heating system is provided to facilitate the removal of spent ice particles, and prevent ice accumulation in the enclosure. In an embodiment of the blast cabinet, the energy management system (130) includes a piping assembly (36) a heat exchanger (37) both disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially continuously producing a stream of ice particulates P for use in performing ice blasting work on a work object W. The present invention includes an extruder assembly, a blast nozzle, and an ice-receiving line. The extruder assembly includes a pressure vessel within which the ice particulates are formed under elevated pressure. The extruder assembly further includes an ice discharge opening. The ice-receiving line has a first end adapted to receive a fluidizing gas from the pressurized air supply source and a second end connected to the blast nozzle. The ice-receiving line is in communication with the extruder assembly ice discharge opening. The pressurized ice particulates P are passed from the pressure vessel discharge opening to the pressurized ice-receiving line. The fluidized ice particulates move via pressure flow towards a blast nozzle to be expelled from the nozzle towards a work object.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for partitioning continuously produced ice particulates and delivering them at a high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A harvesting blade is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into an inlet where they are fluidized and drawn into a manifold that extends substantially along the length of the harvesting blade. The manifold partitions the particulates into separate delivery tubes where they are ejected from nozzles to the workpiece. The manifold can be created to either evenly or unevenly distribute ice particulates to the delivery tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously delivering ice particulates at high velocity onto a substrate for treating the surface of the substrate. The apparatus includes a refrigerated curved surface that is brought into contact with water to form a thin, substantially uniform, ice sheet on the surface. This ice sheet is of such thickness as to contain stresses so that the sheet is predisposed to fracture into particulates. A doctor-knife is mounted to intercept a leading edge of the ice sheet and to fragment the ice sheet to produce ice particulates. These ice particulates enter into at least one ice-receiving tube that extends substantially along the length of the doctor-knife. Once in the tube, the ice particulates are fluidized by a constant flow of air and are carried into a hose for delivery through an ice-blasting nozzle under pressure.