Sandblast Nozzle Structure Patents (Class 451/102)
  • Patent number: 7108585
    Abstract: A multistage abrasive-liquid jet cutting head comprising at least a first and a second mixing stage. Within the first mixing stage is a first mixing chamber arranged to accept a first flow of accelerated abrasive particles from a first abrasive feed tube and a pressurized liquid flow from an orifice and produce a pressurized slurry-like flow that is introduced to the second mixing stage. Within the second mixing stage is a second mixing chamber arranged to accept and mix is second flow of accelerated abrasive particles from a second abrasive feed tube with the pressurized slurry-like flow from the first mixing stage. An exit nozzle in fluid communication with the second mixing chamber that focuses the combination of the second flow of accelerated abrasive particles from the second abrasive feed tube with the pressurized slurry-like flow from the first mixing stage into an abrasive jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Dorfman, Steven A. Rohring
  • Patent number: 7101266
    Abstract: An abrasive blasting device provides for both “cold” and “hot” processing. It includes a nozzle gun, an abrasive vessel, a batcher, an ejection-type mixer, a fuel tank, and a receiver. The nozzle gun includes a combustion chamber (108), a tubular element (114) for air/abrasive mixture feeding, a nozzle (128), swirlers of the fuel blend (122) and of gaseous oxidant (124). The combustion chamber (108) at a perforated wall area (110) has variable cross-section. The batcher includes independent regulation of a seat position with respect to a position of a slide-valve rod, and abrasive loosening and blow purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Oleg Ivanovich Grechishkin
  • Patent number: 7090568
    Abstract: A blasting device, especially for cleaning the surfaces of hollow areas, uses a conveying medium, preferably air, with an added solid blasting agent. The blasting device includes a twisting chamber that impresses the jet with a controlled twist. The twisting chamber has a cylindrical shape and includes a tangential inlet for the conveying medium and the blasting agent, and an outlet changing into a nozzle component conically tapering at an angle of 10° to 25°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Kreiselmaier, Rainer Gwosdek
  • Patent number: 7086930
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly and method is configured to apply coherent jets of coolant in a tangential direction to the grinding wheel in a grinding process, at a desired temperature, pressure and flowrate, to minimize thermal damage in the part being ground. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful when grinding thermally sensitive materials such as gas turbine creep resistant alloys and hardened steels. Flowrate and pressure guidelines are provided to facilitate optimization of the embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Webster
  • Patent number: 7074112
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus that holds and tilts a tool over a tilt range and substantially about a vertex. The apparatus includes a base having pivots defining a base line and a base pivot distance. The apparatus also includes first and second pivot arms coupled to the base pivots, and a tool holder having pivots coupled to the first and second pivot arms. The tool holder pivots defining a tool holder line having a pivot distance different than the base pivot distance. The tool holder is arranged for holding the machine tool. An intersection of the base line and a selected pivot arm defines a control angle, such that changing the control angle changes a tilt of the tool holder with respect to the base line, and correspondingly tilts a longitudinal axis of the tool substantially about a vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Omax Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Olsen
  • Patent number: 7074117
    Abstract: A blasting nozzle for a blasting apparatus includes an inlet for attachment to the outlet hose of the blasting apparatus, an accelerating portion, and an outlet portion through which an accelerated abrasive-laden jet can be ejected. The outlet portion has an interior surface that flares outwards to define a single outlet orifice but that also defines a transverse cross-section profile having at least two lobes between which is at least one splitter element. In use, the abrasive within the jet is directed by the splitter element into one or other of the two lobes within the single egressing jet. The overall effect is such that the abrasive distribution transversely across the jet is much more even than in a conventional blasting nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Quill International Industries PLC
    Inventor: David James Dore
  • Patent number: 7070488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-abrasion device comprising: a first reservoir intended to contain a powder to be sprayed onto a surface that is to be treated, a second reservoir intended to collect the used powder, a handpiece designed to be applied against the surface that is to be treated. This device comprises a removable cartridge (5) that can be fitted onto the device and removed independently of the handpiece and comprising the first and the second reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Bionoface
    Inventors: Michael Suissa, Sylvain Gleyal
  • Patent number: 7063593
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for surface treating boundary walls of an interior chamber formed in a workpiece. Nozzle members are inserted through access openings which communicate with opposite sides of the interior chamber and are positioned so that discharge openings of the nozzle members are disposed in closely adjacent and directly opposed relationship. High velocity streams of carrier fluid having entrained solid abrasive media therein are simultaneously discharged from the nozzle members so that the opposed streams directly violently impact and are deflected radially outwardly for impact against the surrounding boundary walls. The opposed nozzle members are preferably simultaneously synchronously moved lengthwise of the chamber to effect treating of the boundary walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Roto-Finish Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7044842
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for abrading the inner surface at the intersection region of a branch outlet with the wall of a body having a passageway. Using abrasive flow machining, it is possible to abrade the intersection region to provide a smooth transition between the wall and the branch outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Extrude Hone Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 7044831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to simplify sandblasting processes while increasing applied coverage areas in sandblasting operations. The method and apparatus provide a manifold assembly having a plurality of nozzles and that is rigidly attached to an air supply. The manifold is supplied with abrasive material via a plurality of angularly attached sand supply hoses which are coupled to an abrasive material supply. The manifold assembly is pressurized with the supply of air. An article is sandblasted by drawing sand through the hoses and out of the plurality of nozzles using the pressurized air through the manifold assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark F. Gabriel, Robert C. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7040959
    Abstract: An abrasive jet apparatus is provided which includes an abrasive dispenser defining a compartment for storing a granular abrasive material and at least one metering orifice disposed in open communication therewith for dispensing the granular abrasive material. The apparatus also includes a shutter assembly disposed adjacent the metering orifice, which includes a shutter member angularly displaceable between first and second positions relative to the metering orifice. The shutter member has formed therethrough at least one shutter opening which in the first position is substantially fully aligned with the metering orifice, and in the second position is substantially fully offset therefrom. The apparatus further includes a position actuator operatively coupled to the shutter mechanism for reversibly displacing the shutter member to the first and second positions and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween for occluding a selective portion of the metering orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Panuska, Joseph Hammer, Ronald Hammer, Wesley Bachman
  • Patent number: 7021994
    Abstract: A metal machining apparatus for removal of metal from a workpiece, that employs a laser-targeted coolant nozzle to apply coolant fluid to a machining tool, such as a grinding wheel, to remove metal from a workpiece. The laser-targeted coolant nozzle has a coolant nozzle body having a flow passage for the coolant fluid, and a laser bore through which a visible laser can be inserted. The visible laser cooperates with a positioning feature on the nozzle body for visually positioning the coolant nozzle relative to the grinding wheel. When the laser is removed and replaced with a seal plug, the stream of cooling fluid passing through the flow passage can be directed accurately at the grinding wheel for improved workpiece grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Allan Ahti, Larisa Alexandra Elman, Norman Stanton Baylis
  • Patent number: 7011571
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides a blocking apparatus and a blocking method for precisely aligning a button holder against a block during blocking process of lens manufacturing. According to another aspect, the invention provides a blocking apparatus a blocking method for automatically applying a wax material on a button. In one embodiment, the blocking apparatus includes an automatic wax delivery system having an automatic retractable dispensing nozzles for wax delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Radtek Corporation
    Inventors: Konrad Bergandy, Wieslaw Bergandy
  • Patent number: 7008305
    Abstract: A water jet-processing machine comprising a workpiece holding table for holding a workpiece, a nozzle for applying processing water to the workpiece held on the workpiece holding table, and a processing water supply means for supplying processing water containing abrasive grains to the nozzles, wherein the water jet-processing machine comprises a plurality of the nozzles and an interval adjusting means for adjusting an interval between adjacent nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuma Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7008306
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle for injecting sublimable solid particles, which is capable of minimizing consumption of the carrier gas and also maximizing cleaning efficiency. The nozzle comprises a base block having a space in which carrier gas is supplied through a gas supplying pipe; a sub-block having a space in which cleaning medium decompressed by a regulator is supplied through a cleaning medium supplying pipe; a first venturi block having a venturi path for adiabatically expanding the carrier gas supplied from the space of the base block, and a cleaning medium injection path communicating the venturi path and the space of the sub-block and the carrier gas passed through the venturi path; and a second venturi block having a venturi path for adiabatically expanding the mixed gas of the carrier gas and the cleaning medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: K.C. Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheol-Nam Yoon, Se-Jong Ko
  • Patent number: 6997780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for sandblasting, especially removing in a precise manner and/or compacting and/or coating solid surfaces, such as removing defective spots of paint from coats of lacquer, smoothing out soldered and welded joints, removal of contaminated concrete coatings or rust coatings, hardening, planing or coating metal surfaces, wherein a sandblasting agent is added by means of gravity and/or due to the effect of an injector to a carrier air flow produced by an underpressure, conveyed in a flexible hose- line system (13) to a jet lance (14) before being guided via a processing surface subject to low pressure by a sandblasting chamber, whereupon it is returned in the air flow, purified and returned to the circuit, whereby acceleration of the sandblasting agent is produced by the low pressure and the sandblasting chamber is displaced from one processing surface to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Pieper Innovationsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Gerard Pieper
  • Patent number: 6988935
    Abstract: The present invention is one for providing an apparatus and a method which make it possible to remove a foreign object or matter such as scale attached on an inner surface of a pipe easily for a short period of time by means of simple equipment and manner, and constituted as follows. Specifically, a holder (11) is attached onto an end of a pipe (P), an abrasion assisting member (16) fixed to a tip end of a support arm (15) is inserted into the pipe (P) by use of the holder (11) and stopped at an area (A) where oxide scale (S) is generated in a large amount. Then abrasive is sent with pressure into the pipe (P) by a blast device (14), and thus a flow rate of the abrasive in the scale-abraded area (A) is increased to abrade and remove the oxide scale (S) securely. Moreover, if required, a spiral groove (17) is formed on an outer circumference of the abrasion assisting member (16) to increase centrifugal force of the abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Shiraishi, Masatoshi Yoshida, Kazunori Kumada, Keita Nakagawa, Makoto Matsubayashi, Mitsuhiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6981906
    Abstract: A method for milling grooves in a work-piece includes using a manipulator to control impingement angles of abrasive fluidjets traversed across the work-piece. Another method employs multiple fluidjets simultaneously with a plurality of impingement angles. An apparatus is also provided to allow for the simultaneous use of multiple abrasive fluidjets with a plurality of impingement angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignees: Flow International Corporation, The C. A. Lawton Co.
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Timothy J. Ennis, Thomas E. Nettekoven, Michael W. Van Laanen
  • Patent number: 6955589
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid delivery system includes a mixing and tempering vessel. Fluid is admitted to the vessel via a plurality of tangential ports, creating a mixing of the fluid in the vessel and promoting homogeneity. Fluid may be reconstituted in the vessel by metered addition of carrier fluid. A fixed-speed centrifugal pump disposed in the vessel pressurizes the system. Fluid is pumped through a magnetic-induction flowmeter and a magnetic flow control valve having solenoid windings whereby MR fluid is magnetically stiffened to restrict flow. A closed-loop feedback control system connects the output of the flowmeter to performance of the valve. A nozzle having a slot-shaped bore dispenses MR fluid for re-use in the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: QED Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kordonski, Stephen Hogan, Jerry Carapella
  • Patent number: 6945859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Felice M. Sciulli, Yasuo Baba
  • Patent number: 6939205
    Abstract: A device for processing, particularly deburring, rounding and/or hardening component part contours, is provided, including a compressed air channel for supplying compressed air, an abrasive channel for supplying abrasive material and an ejector nozzle for ejecting the abrasive material. The ejector nozzle is positioned with its axis essentially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the compressed air channel and of the abrasive channel and the acceleration of the abrasive material takes place essentially in the ejector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hopf, Frank Dahlmanns, Markus Klingel, Aron Mattis
  • Patent number: 6932285
    Abstract: An improved orifice assembly for use with an ultra high pressure fluid jet cutting apparatus is disclosed. The improved orifice assembly generally includes an orifice body defining a central bore, a high pressure inlet cavity located at an upstream portion of the body, a mixing cavity located at a downstream portion of the body, and an abrasive material inlet bore that is in direct communication with the mixing cavity. The inlet or high pressure cavity preferably has a cylindrical cross section at the side wall portion and a generally flat bottom wall, with a constant radius transition portion between the side and bottom walls. A jeweled orifice is preferably located at the bottom wall and forms a portion thereof. A chamfer at the downstream portion of the mixing chamber permits appropriate coaxial alignment of a mixing tube with the jeweled orifice so as to preserve proper fluid flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: OMAX Corporation
    Inventor: Jiyue Zeng
  • Patent number: 6910957
    Abstract: A cleaning system 210 having nozzle assembly 10 for a pressured fluid stream entrained with abrasive that includes a pressured fluid receiving portion 15 adapted to accommodate a pressured fluid dispenser 20. An abrasive entrainment chamber 25 is oriented to accept pressured fluid jetted thereacross from the pressured fluid dispenser. The abrasive entrainment chamber is adapted to establish a venturi suction responsive to pressured fluid being jetted thereacross. An access port 30 is provided in fluid communication with the abrasive entrainment chamber for permitting suction of abrasive into the abrasive entrainment chamber for entrainment in a pressured fluid being jetted thereacross. A spray enclosure 35 is positioned at the abrasive entrainment chamber and oriented to receive pressured fluid dispensed from the pressured fluid dispenser at the pressured fluid receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Andrew M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6893322
    Abstract: A system for dispensing magnetorheological fluid to an MR finishing machine includes a pump for pressurizing the system; a first magnetic valve for regulating MR fluid flow by magnetically varying the structure and apparent viscosity of the fluid through a first flow passage; a similar second magnetic valve magnetically controlling a second flow passage in line with the first valve and flow passage; a pressure sensor disposed between the first and second valves; and an electronic control means. MR fluid flow through the system is controlled to a predetermined flow rate solely by the first valve. When the second valve is deactivated, a reference pressure is determined and saved. When the second valve is activated, a second pressure is determined and saved. From the pressure difference, the solids concentration of the fluid is determined, and a computer algorithm adds a calculated amount of water to the fluid reservoir as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: QED Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kordonski, Michael Natkin, Sergei Gorodkin
  • Patent number: 6875083
    Abstract: An abrasive media containment bag (11) having a bag portion (13), a nozzle fitting (15), a blast fitting (17), and a filter member (19) is disclosed. The abrasive media containment bag (11) allows the surface of an aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media. The abrasive media containment bag (11) isolates the area to be treated ande recovers and contains the abrasive media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Gunnell
  • Patent number: 6875084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Felice M. Sciulli, Yasuo Baba
  • Patent number: 6863594
    Abstract: A cleaning method and a corresponding cleaning device offer adequate protection to individuals, devices and installations, for cleaning component parts of installations that carry an electrical high-voltage and which are not disconnected during cleaning. Towards this end, the component parts to be cleaned are subjected to the action of a two-phase particle stream (PS) consisting of a compressed gas (DGA) serving as a carrier medium and of carbon dioxide ice particles (TP) carried therein. Possible superficial accumulations of dirt are removed from the component parts by way of low-temperature embrittlement and by the kinetic energy of the impacting carbon dioxide particles. The carbon dioxide ice particles themselves sublimate without leaving residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Paul-Eric Preising
  • Patent number: 6854484
    Abstract: A valve for a slurry outlet opening in an installation for chemical mechanical polishing, in particular of semiconductor wafers in DRAM production, includes an elastic diaphragm, which covers the slurry outlet opening and has at least one self-closing opening. It is possible for the opening to be moved into a feedthrough position for the slurry by flowing slurry and to be automatically moved into a blocking position for the slurry when the slurry is not flowing. A CMP installation having such a valve is also provided. This creates a simple way of preventing particle agglomerations in the region of the fluid outlet opening of a CMP installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Geyer, Andreas Fischer
  • Patent number: 6852018
    Abstract: A device for testing the scratch resistance of a surface of a test specimen by means of a gas stream charged with solid particles, comprising: a tube, having an entry and an exit, for directing the gas stream on to a specimen holder with the surface to be tested, a means for providing the gas stream, and a metering device positioned along the tube for metering the solid particles into the gas stream, wherein a tube part is angled at an angle in the region of the tube exit and the angled tube part has, at the angle, an opening at which the specimen holder is positioned such that the gas stream is directed on to the specimen holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Bürgel, Georg Lamp, Robert Maleika, Leslaw Mleczko
  • Patent number: 6848979
    Abstract: Blasting device includes a blasting medium supply unit and a blasting gun. An extension is provided on the blasting gun, which extension may include a sufficiently clear portion so that the user of the blasting gun may view the surface which is being blasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Paul Michael Fennessy
  • Patent number: 6846221
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lai East Laser Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6837775
    Abstract: An abrasive, fluid jet cutting apparatus, and its method of construction and operation, are disclosed that reduce the wear and erosion problems typically experienced in the cutting jet's mixing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventors: Umang Anand, Joseph Katz
  • Publication number: 20040266317
    Abstract: A grinding method is provided which can grind a processing surface of a workpiece by a blast processing without use of specific abrasives to obtain a glossy surface such as a mirror surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Mase, Shozo Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20040259478
    Abstract: A method for milling grooves in a work-piece includes using a manipulator to control impingement angles of abrasive fluidjets traversed across the work-piece. Another method employs multiple fluidjets simultaneously with a plurality of impingement angles. An apparatus is also provided to allow for the simultaneous use of multiple abrasive fluidjets with a plurality of impingement angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicants: Flow International Corporation, The C. A. Lawton Co.
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Timothy J. Ennis, Thomas E. Nettekoven, Michael W. Van Laanen
  • Patent number: 6827637
    Abstract: A waterjet cutting system and method of operating such system are disclosed. The waterjet cutting system includes an inflatable and deflatable diaphragm to control the mixing of abrasive particulate material and liquid in a stream used to abrade a target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Service Metal Fabricating, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Lewin, Timothy D. O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 6824453
    Abstract: There is described a surface treatment nozzle which generates a surface treatment jet that comprises a suspension of surface treatment material and gas and a surrounding liquid-containing jet for preventing dusting. The surface treatment jet has a high velocity compared with the velocity of solely liquid and is conveyed in an inner tube (13; 31) and the liquid is conveyed in a channel (12) between the inner tube and a tube (11) concentrically surrounding the inner tube. There is included a mixing arrangement (14, 15, 16; 22; 29, 30, 25) for mixing the liquid with gas upstream of the nozzle outlet and to impart to the liquid/gas mixture a velocity in the same order of magnitude as the velocity of the surface treatment jet at said outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Amdent AB
    Inventor: Göran Andersson
  • Patent number: 6790497
    Abstract: The invention relates to abrasive water jet systems including an abrasive water jet mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material, including such systems which use cubic boron carbide (CBN), diamond, or other materials with a hardness greater than that of alumina as the abrasive material. The invention also includes methods of using an AWJ system having a mixing tube having a longitudinal bore lined with a superhard material. Some embodiments include AWJ mixing tubes which include a plurality of connected components. Such connections may be disconnectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Kennametal PC Inc.
    Inventors: Ted R. Massa, John J. Prizzi, David R. Siddle
  • Patent number: 6769956
    Abstract: A grit blasting nozzle and nozzle fixture assembly provides for both rapid installation of the nozzle within the fixture, and precise alignment of the nozzle when installed in the fixture. Corresponding flat surfaces and shoulders on the nozzle and nozzle fixture orient the nozzle within the fixture, and a spring-biased pin engages an angled surface in the nozzle housing to fully seat the nozzle within the fixture. A proximity sensor facilitates consistent setting of the proper distance between the nozzle and the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Oberg Industries
    Inventor: Matthew R. Konieczny
  • Publication number: 20040137825
    Abstract: A disposable apparatus for propelling particulate matter against a surface of a target material that includes: a mixing chamber having a chamber wall, a multi-conduit receiving port, a propellant-gas receiving conduit, and a discharge conduit. The gas delivery conduit extends from the propellant-gas receiving port into the chamber, a mixture discharge conduit extending from the mixture discharge port into the chamber, and a quantity of particulate matter inside the chamber. The disposable apparatus further includes a membrane capable of allowing a gas stream to pass through when the gas stream is flowing and seals the mixing chamber when the gas stream is not flowing. The membrane can be of a hemispherical shaped, molded piece that includes at least one slit to provide an opening when the gas stream is flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Reuben Hertz
  • Patent number: 6755725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Felice M. Sciulli, Yasuo Baba
  • Patent number: 6752685
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering onto a workpiece a high-energy abrasive cutting stream. The system generally comprises a head assembly for providing a pressurized fluidic stream; a nozzling unit coupled to the head assembly for nozzling the pressurized fluidic stream; and, an adaptive orientation assembly coupled to the nozzling unit. The nozzling unit is operable to expel a high-energy abrasive cutting stream for cutting about or along a predefined pattern on the workpiece, and includes a nozzle member having a laminar inner wall surface defining a longitudinally extending passage. This passage terminates at an outlet portion which describes in sectional contour a predetermined shape such that, during operation, it serves to generate upon the workpiece an instantaneous kerf of cut having a corresponding sectional contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Lai East Laser Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ulrich, Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6752686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Felice M. Sciulli, Yasuo Baba
  • Publication number: 20040107810
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for generating a high-pressure fluid jet includes an orifice mount having a frusto-conical surface that engages a frusto-conical wall in a cutting head, the geometry of the orifice mount and cutting head being selected to increase the stability of the mount and reduce deflection of the mount adjacent a jewel orifice, when subjected to pressure. Alignment of a nozzle body and the cutting head is improved by providing pilot diameters both upstream and downstream of threads on the nozzle body and bore of the cutting head, respectively. Accurate placement of a mixing tube in a cutting head is achieved by rigidly fixing a collar to an outer surface of the mixing tube, the collar engaging a shoulder and bore of the cutting head downstream of a mixing chamber, to precisely locate the mixing chamber axially and radially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Felix M. Sciulli, Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Bruce M. Schuman
  • Publication number: 20040106360
    Abstract: A method for removing thermal barrier coating material from at least one opening. The method includes providing a mixture of water and a plurality of beads, and directing the mixture into the at least one opening to facilitate removing thermal barrier coating material obstructing the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Gilbert Farmer, Jeffrey Arnold Fehrenbach
  • Patent number: 6729942
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable dental system for use in areas having inadequate sources of power, either for human or for veterinary dentistry. The system provides one or more handpieces, each driven driven by a pressurized nitrogen gas contained in a portable tank. A water reservoir is also provided for medicated water to be applied to the tooth site. The system has two channels to which either a conventional dental handpiece or an abrasive handpiece can be attached. When two abrasive handpieces are attached, two different abrasive materials may be used by the system, one material for cleaning and one material for cutting or abrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Harris
  • Patent number: 6726777
    Abstract: Cleaning fluid is sprayed upwards from under a substantially horizontally-held object to be cleaned for cleaning the underside of the object. At this time, an accelerating fluid accelerates the cleaning fluid to change its spraying direction toward a surface of the object, then the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Sonoda, Toshiyuki Yamanishi
  • Publication number: 20040072513
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly and method is configured to apply coherent jets of coolant in a tangential direction to the grinding wheel in a grinding process, at a desired temperature, pressure and flowrate, to minimize thermal damage in the part being ground. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful when grinding thermally sensitive materials such as gas turbine creep resistant alloys and hardened steels. Flowrate and pressure guidelines are provided to facilitate optimization of the embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: John A. Webster
  • Patent number: 6705925
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to cut irregularly shaped dice from a wafer using a fluid jet cutting system. One embodiment of the invention involves a method to cut irregularly shaped dice from a wafer, such as planar light-wave circuit device. The method includes placing a wafer on a fixture; aligning the wafer in the fixture to expose the dice to a fluid jet cutting nozzle; supplying an abrasive to the fluid jet cutting nozzle; supplying a pressurized fluid to the fluid jet cutting nozzle expelling the abrasive in combination with the fluid from the fluid jet cutting nozzle at a velocity sufficient to cut through the wafer, while the fluid jet cutting nozzle moves in relation to the wafer in the fixture; and removing the dice from the fixture after the dice have been cut from the wafer. A second embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus to provide a wafer die cutting system to cut a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Lightwave Microsystems
    Inventors: Robert Cole, David James Quirke, Chris P. Calkins
  • Patent number: 6705921
    Abstract: A tilt control assembly for controlling the tilt of a cutting tool head has a first eccentric support and a second support, with both of the first and second supports connected to the head along an axis of the head. To adjust the position of the head, the first eccentric support may be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: John D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6695686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for generating a two-phase gas-particle jet for treating surfaces by means of particles, in particular CO2 dry ice particles (22), using a two-phase gas-particle jet. To this end, the CO2 dry ice particles (22) are fed with a, tangential flow to a blasting chamber (30) in such a manner that the CO2 dry ice particles (22) are forced into a rotational movement about an axis of flow (50), the angular velocity of this rotational movement then being increased in the direction of flow by means of a blasting nozzle (40), so that maximum speeds occur in the blasting-nozzle outlet (42). The two-phase gas-particle jet emerging from the blasting-nozzle outlet (42) is formed in such a way that the solid-phase CO2 dry ice particles (22) are arranged in a uniform ring shape with an enlarged external diameter. The invention achieves in particular a considerable rise in the surface power when cleaning surfaces by means of CO2 dry ice particles (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Hans Frohlich, Sabine Gebhardt, Berthold Trampusch