Abstract: This invention relates to a blasting apparatus, comprising: a fan mounted for rotation in a first horizontal plane about a vertically oriented axis of rotation; a dispensing plate mounted for rotation in a second horizontal plane about the vertically oriented axis of rotation, the second horizontal plane being positioned below the first horizontal plane; and a passage configured to deliver blast media to the dispensing plate. A process for accelerating blast media is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for cleaning the oxide layer created on the bearing surface of a fluid dynamic bearing by the electrochemical machining of pressure generating grooves onto the bearing surface, wherein the method involves spraying a high-pressure liquid jet onto the bearing surface and the cleaning device is an apparatus for spraying a high-pressure liquid jet onto the bearing surface.

Abstract: Porous ceramic particles can be fragmented by generating a gas inside the pores at a sufficient pressure to cause the particles to be fragmented. The preferred way of generating the pressure is by immersing the particles in a liquid that at ambient temperatures and pressures is a gas until the liquid is absorbed into the pores and thereafter rapidly changing the conditions such that the liquid becomes a gas resulting in explosive fragmentation of the ceramic particles.

Abstract: The upper opening which opens the blast-processing chamber can be opened after the door moves slidely to the up and down directions, the door does not project outwardly from the case when the door is opened, it can be installed to the small space. Also it can be prevented to collide against the door.

Abstract: A method of forming fine partition walls by which fine partition walls with stable shape can be formed with good processing accuracy and at good grinding efficiency by a jet processing technique, a method of producing a planar display device by application of the method, and an abrasive for jet processing to be used in these methods, are disclosed. The fine partition walls are formed on the surface of a substrate by jet processing using an abrasive comprised of a powder of calcium carbonate coated with silicone on the surfaces thereof. Each of the particles constituting the abrasive has a three-dimensional shape comprised of a stack of different-sized triangular or more-angular polygonal layers.

Abstract: A tool and a method for cutting holes in a container wall such as in a tank, a cistern, a pipeline, a vehicle, a ship, a production like or the like that contains inflammable, explosive, or other hazardous gasses, and liquids. The tool includes means for pressurising a cutting medium and discharging said medium via a nozzle. The nozzle is arranged in an enclosing cover including a scalable safety outlet for evacuation of the container contents. The cover has means of sealed-off abutment against the container wall concerned in the area in which hole cutting is to be performed. The nozzle is arranged to be directed towards the container wall in such a way that in use the cutting medium is discharged in the form of a jet impinging against the container wall with sufficient force to cut through said wall.

Abstract: A gentle acting blast media comprising glass-like polysaccharide grit suspended in a compressible carrier component.

Abstract: Metallic and ceramic coatings, particularly diffusion and metallurgically bonded coatings, such as are applied to aircraft, turbine, pump and valve components, may be effectively removed regardless of the three-dimensional configuration of the component and without damage to the underlying component by impinging the coating with a pressurized abrasive water jet while moving the abrasive water jet and/or the component relative to one another to fully expose the coating to the fluid stream.

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.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a table on which a polishing target member is placed, and at least one nozzle which sprays a polishing solution to a surface of the polishing target member so as to form, by polishing, the surface of the polishing target member. The nozzle and the polishing target member move relative to each other, and an angle of the nozzle is changeable.

Abstract: When a sintered body of ceramic is shot-blasted at normal temperatures to plastically deform the crystal structure of the shot-blasted surface to apply residual stress and is heat-treated to recrystallize fine cracks, dislocated cells in the grain boundary are formed, crystals are finely divided, and the fracture toughness is significantly improved. When the sintered body of ceramic is a thin product, an effective toughening can be attained by shot blasting both the front and back sides. After heat treatment, mechanical strength is significantly improved by removing a part of the modified surface layer by an abrasion treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning using blast cleaning media including a cabinet, an evacuation device in communication with the cabinet, and a delivery unit containing cleaning media in communication with the cabinet. The delivery unit includes a safety device for relieving pressure within the delivery unit prior to refilling. The cabinet includes ports in communication with a diverter channel for increasing visibility along a line of sight upon activation of the evacuation device.

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a hard-material-coated component, comprising the following steps: application of a layer of hard material to the component in a PVD coating unit; and structural further processing of the outer surface of the layer of hard material, and to a component produced using the process. Particularly in the case of thick coatings or coatings with a columnar structure, such processes have a problem producing a sufficiently smooth surface on the coating. The problem is solved by the fact that for the structural further processing, the surface of the layer is blasted in a blasting device in order to improve this surface, an inorganic blasting agent with a grain size in the range from 1 ?m to 100 ?m and a sharp-edged grain shape being used.

Abstract: A process for finishing a metal surface comprises subjecting the surface to successive grit blasting passes including a first series of successive blasting passes using an abrasive grit of a first diameter range applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a first range, and a second series of successive blasting passes using an abrasive grit of a second diameter range smaller than the first diameter range, applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a second range lower than the first range. Thereafter a third series of successive blasting passes, using glass grit of a third diameter range smaller than the second diameter range, is applied with a blasting nozzle air pressure in a third range lower than the first range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a highly attractive, decorative baseball bat. The apparatus of the invention enables the manufacture of decorative baseball bats that exhibit a wide variety of attractive designs. More particularly, the apparatus includes a uniquely configured, inexpensive masking member that can be slipped over the barrel of the bat so as to make selective portions of the baseball bat during the sandblasting step of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The method for filling a pressure container and a device for producing a jet of a suspension: The method serves for filling a pressure container (10) of a device for producing a jet of a suspension of a carrier fluid (1) and an abrasive medium (9), with an abrasive medium. The abrasive medium (9) is filled from a filling container (18) arranged above the pressure container (10) via a conduit (19) opening out into the pressure container (10) near to the upper side, by gravity from the filling container (18) into the pressure container (10), wherein the carrier fluid (1) displaced into the pressure container (10) by the abrasive medium (9) is discharged from the pressure container (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet and abrasive-jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a linear rail, a slide member coupleable to a cutting head and slideably coupled to the linear rail, at least one actuator having a first end coupled to the slide member and a second end fixed with respect to the linear rail, a position sensor, and a controller. The actuator provides an adjustable support force that supports the weight of the cutting head, allowing the cutting head to be controllably positioned at a desired height above the workpiece. The actuator may include a pneumatic cylinder, or alternately, a linear motor.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning metal surfaces to be welded together, at least one jet carrying particles of solid carbon dioxide is caused to come into contact with the surfaces, where the solid carbon dioxide is allowed to sublime at the surfaces. The jet is formed by passing a stream of pressurised liquid carbon dioxide through a nozzle under pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for blast cleaning using ilmenite tailings particles between 10 mesh and 250 mesh as impact abrasive material. Ilmenite tailing particles are a waste product obtained in a beneficiation plant of an ilmenite ore (FeTiO3) metallurgical complex. The particles are preferably washed, dried, and screened before being used as impact abrasive material. They are separated in particle-size range to improve their efficiency for blast cleaning.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for removing adherent materials, for example, paint, flashes, burrs, photoresists, contaminants, and other materials from various external surfaces. In particular, the method employs an improved media comprising core/shell particles. The media can be propelled against or along the surface by a gaseous or liquid carrier medium or a mixture of gas and liquid to remove the unwanted surface material. In one embodiment, suitable blasting equipment propels the media, via a pressurized air stream, against a surface of an object, for example an airplane skin, to dislodge the material to be removed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus wherein a bulk quantity of parts is positioned in a channel-like treating chamber which is subjected to vibration to cause the flowable mass of parts to slowly undergo a corkscrew-like tumbling movement. One or more nozzle arrangements are positioned adjacent the treating chamber so that each nozzle has its discharge orifice position closely adjacent the flowing bulk mass in the chamber to effect high-velocity blasting of a selected region of the flowing mass. The nozzle emits a high-velocity spray which is defined by a carrier medium such as air having small abrasive particles or grit embedded therein. The abrasive spray contacts a concentrated area which has relatively small transverse and longitudinal extent over the flowing mass in the chamber. Due to its high-velocity discharge, the spray is effective in penetrating at least partway into the depth of the flowing mass to abrade the parts.

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.

Abstract: A method of forming a roughened, decontaminated surface on a metal article which includes the single or multiple blasting of the surface with a chilled iron grit of appropriate roughness structure followed by acid pickling to produce a contamination free surface of substantially Sq 5 to 10 microns.

Abstract: A dust collection and removal system for use in conjunction with a tire uniformity machine includes a grinding wheel shroud having a vacuum aperture therein. The vacuum aperture is connected to a vacuum source. An air nozzle is centrally mounted in the vacuum aperture. The air nozzle is connected to a source of pulsed air thereby allowing a blast of air to be directed at the tire surface during or immediately after grinding to dislodge dust particles adhered to the tire. The dislodged dust particles are then removed via the vacuum. A related method of collecting and removing dust includes mounting a vacuum hose adjacent to the grinding face, mounting an air nozzle in the center of the vacuum hose, directing a blast of air toward the tire surface via the nozzle, and removing and collecting the dislodged dust particles via the vacuum hose.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing water from entering the abrasive port of an entrained high pressure fluid jet nozzle and a method and apparatus for attaching the high pressure fluid jet nozzle to a hazardous duty robot. The invention includes the application of a positive air pressure to an abrasive line preferably during those times when there is insufficient vacuum generate by high pressure fluid being sent through the restricted orifice in the high pressure nozzle. The invention prevents clogging of a fluid jet cutting system during operation. The invention includes mounting a nozzle and/or visualization system to an expandable and contactable component such as a grasping device that allows for continued use of the expandable and contractible grasping unit. This includes, for example, a grasping device that is provided out the end of a movable robot arm and that allows for rotation of the grasping device.

Abstract: A method for forming a throughhole in an ink-jet print head of a bubble-jet system includes the steps of: forming a bubble-generator which is adjacent to a throughhole-forming region on one side of a substrate, and which includes a heater; forming a first mask layer for covering portions excluding the throughhole-forming region on a first side of the substrate; forming a second mask layer for covering portions excluding the throughhole-forming region on a second side of the substrate; forming a first well with a predetermined depth on the throughhole-forming region of the substrate not covered by the first mask layer by spraying sand under high pressure and at a high speed onto the first side of the substrate; forming a second well corresponding to the first well on the throughhole-forming region of the substrate not covered by the second mask layer by spraying sand under high pressure and at a high speed onto the second side of the substrate; forming a throughhole by overlap of the first well and the second

Abstract: A blast chamber having a plurality of blast assemblies, with each blast assembly comprised of a clocking mechanism having a particular geometric shape, a rotor assembly, and a power source. Each rotor assembly is capable of rotating about a center line axis and has a plurality of spaced-apart rotors. At least one rotor includes a generally central opening. The blast chamber further includes a grit intake source for introducing grit into each clocking mechanism and a power source to impart a rotational force to the each rotor assembly. The blast chamber also includes a blast area adjacent to each blast assembly. Grit is gravity fed from the grit intake source and into the clocking mechanism and directed via the particular geometric shape of the clocking mechanism while the rotors are rotating.

Abstract: A gentle acting blast media comprising glass-like polysaccharide grit suspended in a compressible carrier component.

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.

Abstract: A ultra fine particle film forming apparatus is provided which is capable of forming a ultra fine particle film which has ultra fine particles sufficiently bonded together, sufficient density, flat surface and uniform density. A planarized ultra fine particle film forming method for forming a planarized ultra fine particle film from a deposited film of ultra fine particles formed by supplying the ultra fine particles to a substrate, the method comprising one or more of a planarizing step of planarizing a surface of the deposited film of the ultra fine particles supplied to the substrate.

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.

Abstract: A pipe renovating method and system is described, in which a pipe is first cleaned and then coated with a suitable coating material. In the cleaning step, pressurized air and particles of abrasive material are pumped into a first end of a pipe while suction is applied to the second end of the pipe via a vacuum pump to improve flow along the entire length of the pipe. The coating material is subsequently pumped in at one end of the cleaned pipe while suction is applied at the other end.

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.

Abstract: A cryogenic cleaner for and a method of performing cleaning of a surface that must be substantially free of contaminants utilizing a multi-stage, multi-mode filtered carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium. Multiple stages and multiple types of filtration/purification are provided to remove contaminants such as hydrocarbons from the medium. In accordance with preferred embodiments, a filtering/purification process is provided that desirably utilizes one or more of: condensation of the hydrocarbon; particulate filtration; chemical filtration using activated filters; and catalytic oxidation. In certain embodiments, a resiliently mounted nozzle is provided for spraying a cryogenic cleaning medium on the surface. The nozzle may be driven in an oscillatory manner at a predetermined amplitude and frequency so the nozzle spray is delivered in a manner to provide pulsing of the spray and to provide as “snow plow” effect on contaminants as the spray delivers the cleaning medium against the surface.

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.

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 underpessure, 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 to 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.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing article is characterized by extended useful life. The article is used in a semiconductor furnace system, particularly in a low pressure chemical vapor deposition furnace for prolonged periods without requiring cleaning to remove build-up film. The semiconductor processing article is a quartz body characterized by a surface roughness having a first component with an average deviation from a first mean surface of about 2.5 to 50 microns, and a second component with an average deviation from a second mean surface of about 0.25 to 5 microns.

Abstract: A workpiece is cut by being selectively moved along a first axis under a cutting device, the cutting device being selectively moved along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. Motion of the workpiece and the cutting device is controlled to cut a workpiece. In one embodiment of the invention, the workpiece is selectively moved along the first axis by actuation of a first linear motor, and the cutting device is selectively moved along the second axis by actuation of a second linear motor. The cutting device may be a high-pressure fluid jet system.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for removing an abradable material from an interior surface (16) of a fan containment case (14), without requiring removal of the fan containment case (14) from its engine (12). The apparatus (10) and method generally involve adjusting the elevation of a blast head (40) and centering a horizontal axis of rotation thereof with the fan containment case (14) to position the blast head (40) adjacent the abradable material on the case surface (16). An erosion media is then sprayed with the blast head (40) in a substantially radial direction relative to the horizontal axis of rotation of the blast head (40), such that the erosion media impacts and erodes the abradable material. The blast head (40) is rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation thereof so that the erosion media is sprayed at the abradable material along the entire circumference of the fan containment case (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for removing an abradable material from an interior surface (16) of a fan containment case (14), without requiring removal of the fan containment case (14) from its engine (12). The apparatus (10) and method generally involve adjusting the elevation of a blast head (40) and centering a horizontal axis of rotation thereof with the fan containment case (14) to position the blast head (40) adjacent the abradable material on the case surface (16). An erosion media is then sprayed with the blast head (40) in a substantially radial direction relative to the horizontal axis of rotation of the blast head (40), such that the erosion media impacts and erodes the abradable material. The blast head (40) is rotated about the horizontal axis of rotation thereof so that the erosion media is sprayed at the abradable material along the entire circumference of the fan containment case (14).