Abstract: A system for supplying a slurry of a liquid containing suspended particles to a semiconductor processing machine, where the slurry is used in processing semiconductor wafers, is disclosed. The system includes a supply of slurry and a delivery subsystem operatively associated with the supply of slurry, the delivery subsystem being configured to deliver slurry to the semiconductor processing machine. The supply typically is configured to provide slurry from a location remote from the semiconductor processing machine to a location proximate the semiconductor processing machine, where the slurry at the location proximate the semiconductor processing machine is unpressurized. The delivery subsystem typically is configured to agitate slurry in the basin by flowing the slurry through the basin, thereby inhibiting the settling of suspended particles in the slurry.

Abstract: A first pump collects used slurry which is employed for a CMP technique. A new slurry supply device supplies new slurry having a concentration higher than a concentration of the used slurry, to the used slurry. A sensor measures a concentration of recycled slurry produced by mixing the used slurry with the new slurry. The new slurry supply device stops supplying the new slurry, in a case where the concentration which the sensor measures is equal to or above a predetermined value. A second pump supplies recycled slurry onto a polishing stage, after the used slurry is completely recycled.

Abstract: A CMP slurry pumping system which uses the slurry pump inlet pressure as input to the pump controller, and adjusts pump speed to account for variations in inlet pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing surface coverings comprises a feeder device capable of providing a supply of dry ice pieces, a pellet-size reducer operatively associated with the feeder device to receive dry ice pieces from said feeder device and reduce the size of the dry ice pieces to nominal diameters less than 1 mm, and a blast gun connected to the pellet-size reducer and adapted for operative communication with an associated supply of flowing gas. The blast gun incorporates a venturi to entrain the reduced-sized dry ice pieces into the flowing gas and directs the flowing gas and dry ice pieces to an associated surface covering to be removed. Preferably, the pellet-size reducer is a knife- or disc-type grinding mill. In one embodiment, the grinding mill is adjustable for controlling the size of the dry ice particles supplied to the blast gun. The apparatus preferably includes a humidity controller to suppress static charges caused by the interaction of the dry ice particles with the surface being blasted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conditioning a polishing pad in which slurry is directed under pressure at the polishing pad. Additionally, energy (i.e., ultrasonic energy) may be added to the slurry as it is directed towards the polishing pad, wherein embedded material in the polishing pad is removed or dislodged.

Abstract: An apparatus for the introduction of a blasting media into a high velocity, high pressure fluid stream. In one embodiment of the present invention a dual chambered pressure vessel has a pair of auxiliary actuated pop-up valves that are cycled at a high rate to provide continuous delivery of the blasting media to the work surface. The pressure vessel having a blasting media flow control valve coupled with the pressure vessel for controlling the flow of blasting media into the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a wafer polishing tool, a source of slurry, and a source of low pressure de-ionized water. The slurry is supplied to the tool for chemical-mechanical planarization. Periodically, the slurry source is shut off and the de-ionized water is used to flush the apparatus. The desired safe low pressure of the de-ionized water may be maintained by opposed one-way check valves. The flushing system prevents the slurry from clogging or becoming stagnant, and prevents valves and pumps within the apparatus from malfunctioning. Moreover, the low pressure de-ionized water will not contaminate the higher pressure slurry even in the event of a system malfunction.

Abstract: A blast surface treating machine utilizes a control cage featuring an inlet and an outlet that is positioned with its outlet within the central space of the machine blast wheel. A hopper supplies particulate material to the control cage inlet. A rotating screw conveyor transports the particulate material through the control cage. The screw conveyor also forces the particulate material out of the control cage outlet where it is picked up by the rotating blast wheel. The control cage is oscillated about the axis of the blast wheel to provide a widened blast pattern upon the surface being treated. The blast wheel, blast wheel housing, control cage and screw conveyor are constructed of manganese or hardened steel to provide the an anti-shattering construction in the event that a bolt or other foreign object falls into the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a wafer polishing tool, a source of slurry, and a source of low pressure de-ionized water. The slurry is supplied to the tool for chemical-mechanical planarization. Periodically, the slurry source is shut off and the de-ionized water is used to flush the apparatus. The desired safe low pressure of the de-ionized water may be maintained by opposed one-way check valves. The flushing system prevents the slurry from clogging or becoming stagnant, and prevents valves and pumps within the apparatus from malfunctioning. Moreover, the low pressure de-ionized water will not contaminate the higher pressure slurry even in the event of a system malfunction.

Abstract: A mixture of water and glass beads is ejected to a root of a gear which has been cut to form gear teeth. The glass beads are oriented so as to be ejected to the root, and the glass beads and the water impart compressive stresses to the surface of the root and grind the surface of the root.

Abstract: A media assist and gaseous fluid flow distribution system for a cryogenic deflashing machine. Dry-nitrogen or other dry gas is supplied to the media assist distribution system of the present invention in order to supply a cryogenic deflashing machine with gas fluid flow. The gaseous nitrogen is distributed into the interior of the cryogenic deflashing chamber as well as serving to propel deflashing media shot into a throw wheel impeller. The throw wheel impeller then propels the media into the cryogenic deflashing chamber to deflash plastic, metal, or other appropriate work pieces. The gas distribution portion of the present invention also supplies a blast of dry nitrogen against the door to ensure that debris collecting nearby is directed towards the drain of the cryogenic deflashing chamber and the media/flash separator. Via the gaseous distribution system of the present invention, the amount of media required for impact deflashing is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A tooth powdering applicator. A container for holding infrared reflective powder has an inlet connected to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet connected to a rigid outlet tube. A cover is removably threaded on the container to allow for insertion of the powder. The container includes a circuitous path through which the pressurized fluid is directed lifting the powder therein and forcing the powder out through the tube. The tube is rotatably mounted to the container. An optional push button valve is provided to control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A powder beam working system for working a surface to be worked of an object to be worked by dispersing fine particles in high-pressure gas and projecting a solid-gas two-phase flow thus produced to the surface of the object to be worked which comprises means which temporarily stores the fine particles, a dispersing chamber which forms a portion of a flow path for the high-pressure gas and sending means which sends out the fine particles stored in the storing means into the dispersing chamber at a predetermined rate as the fine particles are in a solid phase state, thereby being capable of adjusting a flow rate of the produced solid-gas two-phase flow and an amount of the fine particles contained in the solid-gas two-phase flow easily and individually.

Abstract: Fluid jet cutting system with nozzle assembly having a monolithic main body with a central fluid passageway with fixed diameter intermediate fluid jet passageway with orifice component at un upper end. The upper end of a modified focus tube is positioned directly below the outlet of the fluid jet passageway such that the enlarged opening at the upper end of the focus tube forms the mixing chamber. This avoids the high cost of mixing chamber wear inserts. The enlarged upper end opening has a diameter equal to or larger than a circumferential ring contacting the external most portion of the outlet of each of the preferably 3 or 4 abrasive ports spaced about the main body. The focus tube with mixing chamber enlargement avoids efficiency degrading abrasive contact with wall surfaces of the nozzle assembly. The abrasive ports extend from an upper, sloped surface of the main body to the abrasive ports outlet with the central axis of the abrasive ports forming an acute angle of less than 15 degrees.

Abstract: A grit tank (1), the inside of which is partitioned into an upper chamber (2), intermediate chamber and lower chamber (5), the intermediate chamber being partitioned into a left intermediate chamber (3) and a right intermediate chamber (4), is connected to a transport pipe (16) via a discharge port (9) of the lower chamber (5). The intermediate chambers (3, 4) are respectively communicated with the upper chamber (2) and the lower chamber (5) via a left upper communicating port (6) and a right upper communicating port (10) and also via a left lower communicating port (8) and a right lower communicating port (12). The communicating ports are respectively provided with a left filling valve (7), right filling valve (11) and changeover type feed valve (13).

Abstract: A dental abrasion arrangement includes a pressure vessel that has an inlet port and an outlet port. A source of pressurized propellant gas is attached to the inlet port and a dental abrasion tool is attached to an outlet port of the pressure vessel. Abrasive powder is ejected from the pressure vessel and to the abrasion tool via a discharge assembly and the outlet port. A feeding and metering auger is mounted within the pressure vessel. The auger is mounted substantially horizontally within the pressure vessel. The auger is driven by a motor, so that the abrasive powder within the pressure vessel is fed to the discharge assembly as the motor causes the auger to rotate.

Abstract: A dosage device for feeding grained, pourable materials, particularly abrasive blasting materials. Feeding is accomplished by use of a dosage auger that employs a screw mechanism that either decreases or increases relative to the distance between the incline of the spiral wings. The device also includes an adjustable drive, a flow measuring device to monitor and control flow rates and a mixing chamber to assure full mixing of abrasive material in a compressed air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning or treating by blasting of a surface which includes an enhanced media delivery regulating system which includes supplying high pressure air to a suction gun and using this to draw blasting media and ambient or low pressure conveying air thereinto for high pressure expulsion therefrom. The high pressure air forms a vacuum over the media vacuum line which draws particulate blasting media from a hopper and conveying air separately. The conveying air is provided from a closed environment within the hopper above the particulate blasting media to control the pressure at which the conveying air is provided at a value equal to or less than the pressure at which the particulate blasting media is provided to the regulator.

Abstract: A tooth powdering applicator. A container for holding infrared reflective powder has an inlet connected to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet connected to a rigid outlet tube. A cover is removably threaded on the container to allow for insertion of the powder. The container includes a circuitous path through which the pressurized fluid is directed lifting the powder therein and forcing the powder out through the tube. The tube is rotatably mounted to the container. An optional push button valve is provided to control the flow of fluid.

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: An ice blasting cleaning system including an ice maker that creates ice particles, at least one separator that separates snow from the ice particles, a hopper into which the ice particles enter, and a blasting gun that receives the ice particles and propels them toward the surface to be cleaned. The separator may be for example, an air blower, an ice breaker plate set at a steep angle, a heated or a cooled ice breaker plate, or a rotating brush. The present invention also includes an ice blasting cleaning method for cleaning a surface using ice particles as the cleaning agent. The method includes creating ice particles and snow, separating the ice particles from the snow, the ice particles entering a hopper, and propelling the ice particles toward the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A liquid abrasive jet focusing tube for making cuts in a workpiece at a predetermined non-perpendicular angle, and a method for making non-perpendicular cuts in a workpiece with a liquid abrasive jet. The focusing tube includes a body having an inlet end which defines an inlet opening, an outlet end which defines an outlet opening, and a cylindrical passage which extends between the openings and which has a longitudinal axis. The outlet end has a tip portion with an angled surface adjacent the outlet opening and oriented in relation to the passage axis at the predetermined non-perpendicular angle. The method includes positioning the focusing tube so that the angled surface is generally parallel to the workpiece surface and the passage axis is oriented in relation to the workpiece surface substantially at the predetermined non-perpendicular angle.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus for propelling particulate matter against a surface of a target material includes, a mixing chamber having a chamber wall and a gas receiving port in the chamber wall in fluid communication with the compressed gas source and having a mixture discharge port in the chamber wall, a gas delivery conduit extending from the 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.

Abstract: An ice blasting cleaning system including an ice maker that creates ice particles, a hopper into which the ice particles enter, at least one mist nozzle that introduces a mist of water and air into the hopper, and a blasting gun that receives the ice particles and propels them toward the surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the ice maker includes a sizer that determines the size of the ice flakes produced. An ice blasting cleaning method includes the steps of creating ice particles that enter a hopper in which they are sprayed with mist and propelling the ice particles toward the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A valve for introducing particulate materials into a high pressure gas stream and for preventing said particulate materials from invading those interior regions of the valve having moving parts.

Abstract: A thrust balanced turn base for changing the direction of a fluid flow containing entrained abrasive media is provided. The turn base includes an elongated member having an inlet for the fluid flow with the entrained abrasive media. The turn base further includes a first internal passageway that extends in a downstream direction from the inlet. The first passageway includes a first throat, a converging portion between the inlet and the throat, a diverging portion extending downstream from the throat, an additional converging portion downstream from the diverging portion, a turning portion downstream from the additional converging portion that converges to a second throat and that leads to a nozzle that conducts the fluid flow containing the entrained abrasive media in an angled direction relative to the long axis of the turn base.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus and method for forming and projecting a continuous flow of frozen particles for the purpose of abrasive cleaning of substrate surfaces. The device utilizes a cryogenic fluid/dry air mixture that interacts with atomized water to form ice crystals. The crystals are projected through a blast nozzle to be directed at a substrate surface. The ice crystals, of a size range below one hundred micrometers, are produced within the apparatus just prior to the nozzle rather than being conveyed to the nozzle by a hose.

Abstract: A machine tool for cutting workpieces includes a cutting head with at least two cutting units each providing cutting beams directed at the workpiece so as to impinge thereon closely adjacent each other to cooperate in the cutting action. The machine tool includes a worktable to support the workpiece, and the workpiece and cutting head are relatively movable to provide a cutting line in the workpiece. At least one of the cutting units is movable relative to the other so that the angular relationship of the cutting beams may be varied, and the supply of the cutting medium is separately controlled for the cutting units. In one embodiment the cutting beams are high speed water jets which may contain abrasive and the cutting characteristics of the jets may be varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an air abrasive unit such as those used in the dental field. This method and apparatus utilizes an internal vibrator motor with vibration transmitters which transmit the vibrations throughout the abrasive jar. The abrasive pickup assembly uses pressure differentials to suck up abrasive through a screen which controls the flow rate and particle size of the abrasive flowing through the system. This system can utilize a photo optical detection system to detect the abrasive level. Alternatively, a pressure/pulse detection system may be used to measure abrasive level. Dilution of the air/abrasive mixture and "air only" modes are possible with the present system. Depressurization and mere reductions of pressure can also be accommodated.

Abstract: A shot peening method and apparatus enables low intensity peening at a velocity which is equal to or less than the minimum velocity required to assure conveyance of the media through the transport hose in pneumatic systems or the minimum velocity necessary to project a coherent shot stream in the case of wheel systems.

Abstract: A method of using a recyclable abrasive blasting system for blasting abrasive against a surface to be cleaned and for recovering such abrasive, comprising a storage hopper for containing abrasive, blast pots which receive abrasive and deliver it to a blasting hose, an autodump tank including an inlet for receiving particles resulting from blasting, such particles comprising trash, debris, dust and abrasive, a screen for separating trash and debris from the particles, an airwash for separating dust from said particles, and values for metering the amount of particles traveling there-through, a classifier includes a first auger and a plurality of augers formed by screens having spiral members thereon, the plurality of augers surrounding the first auger and in rotating cooperation therewith, whereby the screens classify debris from abrasive such that it may be routed outside of the classifier, whereby an airwash takes place and wherein any remaining particles travel to a particle separator having accumulating pla

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate in preparation for thin film coating. The invention involves cleaning the substrate in a cleaning chamber under controlled conditions by a blast of carbon dioxide pellets suspended in and transported by a compressed gas medium.

Abstract: An improved system for generating an abrasive fluid jet is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, abrasive is fed from a bulk hopper into an air isolator having a baffle that limits the flow of air and abrasive through the air isolator, thereby venting air from the abrasive. An on/off device having a rod coupled to a stopper is provided within the air isolator, the rod being selectively raised and lowered in a vertical direction. A discharge orifice is provided in a bottom surface of the air isolator, the stopper covering the discharge orifice when the rod is in a lowered position, thereby preventing the discharge of abrasive from the air isolator.A metering disk is provided adjacent the discharge orifice, an orifice in the metering disk being aligned with the discharge orifice, such that abrasive exiting the air isolator flows through the metering disk.

Abstract: A pressurized feeder vessel feeds powdered material into a stream of propellant gas. The feeder vessel includes a funnel-shaped hopper that is resiliently suspended by an elastic member inside the vessel. A vibrator such as an electric motor with an eccentric weight on its shaft vibrates the bottom end of the hopper. The vibration forces of the vibrator are preferably transferred to the hopper via a flexible diaphragm. The hopper is thus subjected to primary vibration forces and torques from below, and secondary, reaction vibration forces and torques from above. This induces the powder in the hopper to fluidize thoroughly and to circulate. In particular, it circulates over and past an inlet orifice, through which powder exits the hopper and enters the propellant stream. Powder circulation thus also prevents clogging of the inlet orifice and leads to more even flow rates. The invention is particularly well suited for delivering abrasive powder to a hand-held dental tool for abrasive treatment of teeth.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cleaning a workpiece with abrasive CO.sub.2 particles, a CO.sub.2 nozzle receives and expels liquid CO.sub.2 through at least one orifice sized for at least partially converting the liquid into CO.sub.2 particles. The CO.sub.2 particles are injected into a converging-diverging nozzle at a location adjacent to the throat section thereof. Pressurized air is directed into the converging section of the nozzle upstream from the throat section. The pressurized air accelerates the CO.sub.2 particles which are focused by the diverging section of the nozzle for impacting the pressure-sensitive surface of the workpiece to be cleaned.

Abstract: A simple and effective means is provided to control sand blast or like particulate media flow in the cleaning and scouring of workpieces to insure substantially uniform cleaning. To this end, microwave energy is directed at the particle flow, and energy reflection therefrom effects desired opening, closing, and intermediate control of sand blast flow means, as a valve interposed in the blast conduit.

Abstract: A device for mixing compressed air and abrasive and providing the air/abrasive mixture to a delivery gun for use in artistic abrasive blasting. The device is provided with a vessel having an upper chamber for holding abrasive. Compressed air is supplied to a head space located in the upper chamber above the abrasive. An air delivery line extends from the head space to a mixing chamber located below the upper chamber in order to supply compressed air thereto. An adjustable mixing valve admits abrasive from the upper chamber into the mixing chamber where the abrasive is mixed with the compressed air before it exits the mixing chamber on its way to the delivery gun.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the continuous reliable supply of sodium bicarbonate particles to a blasting nozzle employing pressured air or water for conveying such particles into contact with a surface to be cleaned. The apparatus includes a hopper at atmospheric pressure and a removable orifice through which the abrasive particles are directed from the hopper to an open ended pipe. One end of the pipe is connected to a media conveying line and a venturi passage provided in a blast nozzle whereby a pressurized fluid passing through the venturi passage creates a suction force in the conveying line and the pipe such that atmospheric air and abrasive particles are drawn from the air pipe to the blast nozzle. The amount of air flow permitted through the pipe can be adjusted by a valve to control the vacuum within the conveying line and along with the particle feeding orifice controls the concentration of abrasive particles in the air stream directed to the nozzle.

Abstract: A novel supply pot for holding a particulate abrasive is provided which greatly reduces the amount of moisture which is contained therein during pressurization. The supply pot includes a compressed air piping which directs compressed air from a source of compressed air to an inlet piping to the supply pot and to a downstream inlet to a blast hose, the compressed air piping comprising a moisture diverter which directs the compressed air from the piping to the blast hose initially bypassing the inlet to the supply pot, the diverter allowing backflow of compressed air from the outlet thereof to the inlet to the supply pot.

Abstract: A closed-environment wet-abrasive blasting system includes a vacuum device for recovering a waste stream of water, abrasive particulate and surface debris. The waste stream is filtered resulting in cleaned water recycling through the system. During operation, water is pumped from a water holding tank to a blast head. Also, abrasive particulate is forced from canister to the blast head. The abrasive material and water form a blast stream which impacts on a surface to treat the surface. The blast head is held to the surface during use by the suction force and defines a work volume over the surface under treatment. In effect, the blast head defines a closed environment in which abrasive particulate water and surface debris do not escape into the surrounding environment, but instead is captured. The vacuum force pulls the surface debris, abrasive particulate and water (i.e., waste stream) from the blast head along a vacuum hose into a recovery tank.

Abstract: A method for blast cleaning a solid surface using an abrasive composition of calcium carbonate, wherein the abrasive-blasting operation uses blasting apparatus including a blasting pot, a blasting hose and spray nozzle connected to the blasting pot, an air compressor and compressor air lines connected to the blasting pot, and blasting hose and spray nozzle, comprising the steps include filling the blasting pot with an abrasive composition of a coarse, medium, or fine grade of calcium carbonate, selecting a blasting spray nozzle having a specific size, adjusting the media flow valve connected to the blasting pot to set a specific blasting flow rate, setting the air pressure on the compressor air line connected to the spray nozzle, setting the air volume flow rate on the compressor air line, holding the spray nozzle a distance of 6" to 24" away from the surface to be cleaned, and moving said spray nozzle across the surface to be cleaned and wherein the above sequence of steps may be varied.

Abstract: A radial grip remote control for the operation of abrasive blast machines. The handle of the grip is permanently attached to a linear bearing. The bearing utilizes the abrasive blast hose as a journal, and may be rotated manually by adjusting the radial position of the handle. The inside diameter of the bearing is adjustable. The adjustment is intended to allow the bearing to rotate freely about its journal (hose), and to cause seizure of the bearing to this journal when the hose is pressurized. The steel handle acts as a protective housing for a positive shut-off type valve which is internally installed. The remote control is designed to be ergonomically accommodating and to increase the safety of abrasive blasting operations. The base of the handle comprises a female connecting socket for adaptation to automated or remotely operated abrasive blast systems.

Abstract: A granulator and delivery system for sublimable CO.sub.2 granules has working edges rotatably supported for defining a cutting surface; a driver for powering the working edges; a feeder for advancing solid CO.sub.2 into contact with the working edges, the working edges removing the granules from the solid CO.sub.

Abstract: A symmetrically balanced, integrated, portable, refillable, serviceable, adjustable, self contained tool, suitable for single hand operation, for ejecting a stream of particulate, powdered, or liquid material toward a target combining a supply reservoir containing the materials, a portable propellant container adapted to the supply reservoir, carrying compressed propellant liquid, a propellant release valve delivering propellant from the container via a constricted air jet orifice to a angular mixing chamber positioned above the uppermost level of materials the materials supply reservoir, a delivery conduit connecting the lower portion of the supply materials reservoir chamber to the angular mixing chamber through an adjustment valve, delivering a stream of materials aspirated from the materials supply reservoir by the negative atmospheric pressure deferential created by a Venturi effect to the angular mixing chamber, driving the compressed gas and materials through the connected nozzle containing a cylindric

Abstract: An abrasive/water jet cutting apparatus has a frame, a carriage movably supported for movement over a work table on the frame, and a water jet cutting head on the carriage. A main storage container for abrasive is provided and an intermediate storage container for abrasive is supported on the carriage. A connecting arm has a pivotal connection at its one end to the frame and a pivotal connection at its other end to the carriage. The arm also has a pivotal connection intermediate its length so that it pivots about the pivotal connections during movement of the carriage. A suction line from the main storage container extends along the connecting arm to the intermediate storage container to supply abrasive thereto, and a high pressure line extending from a high pressure fluid source extends along the connecting arm to the cutting head. The high pressure line is resiliently deflectable at the pivotal connections about which it extends, and the vacuum line is resiliently deflectable.

Abstract: A hand-held blast cleaning machine having a motor which serves as a handle. The machine includes a blast assembly for propelling abrasive material against a surface and a hopper for supplying abrasive material to the blast assembly. The blast assembly has a blast corridor, a rebound corridor, a blast opening, a blast wheel and a motor. The motor drives the rotation of the blast wheel and serves as a handle. The hopper has a return corridor, a collection area, a feed area and a vacuum conduit. The vacuum conduit is connected to a vacuum source to collect dust and debris from the blast cleaning operation. In one embodiment, an side-blast hopper, a down-blast hopper, an up-blast hopper and a side-feed hopper are all interchangeably attachable to the same blast assembly. A shut-off handle is attached to the blast assembly to provide automatic shut-off abrasive material to the blast wheel and to function as a second handle. In another embodiment, the motor serves as the only handle.

Abstract: A particle blast cleaning apparatus for use with sublimable blast media, a source of compressed gas, and a discharge nozzle. The apparatus includes a mixing device for mixing the sublimable media with compressed gas, which mixing device includes a lower section having an outlet port formed therein and an upper section positioned over the lower section and having two sublimable media inlet ports and a compressed gas inlet port. A transfer member is mounted between the lower section and the upper section for reciprocal movement and has at least two transfer chambers for transporting sublimable media.

Abstract: A recyclable abrasive blasting system for blasting abrasive against a surface to be cleaned and for recovering such abrasive which has been blasted, comprising a storage hopper for containing abrasive, blast pots which receive abrasive and deliver it to a blasting hose wherein abrasive is propelled against a surface, an autodump tank including an inlet for receiving particles resulting from blasting, such particles comprising trash, debris, dust and abrasive, a screen for separating trash and debris from the particles, an airwash for separating dust from said particles, and valves for metering the amount of particles traveling therethrough, a classifier includes a first auger and a plurality of augers formed by screens having spiral members thereon, the plurality of augers surrounding the first auger and in rotating cooperation therewith, whereby the screens classify debris from abrasive such that it may be routed outside of the classifier, whereby an airwash takes place and wherein any remaining particles tr

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing water soluble salts from a concrete substrate in a wet blast system in which a bicarbonate abrasive is blasted in a high purity pressurized water stream against the surface of the concrete substrate to prepare the surface for the application of a coating. The method includes the steps as indicated in FIG. 8 in which a high pressure wet blast of high purity pressurized water and sodium bicarbonate abrasive is first applied by a nozzle (14) against the surface of the concrete substrate with the water soluble salts being removed or neutralized. Next, a high purity pressurized water without abrasive is applied by the nozzle (14) against the surface of the concrete substrate for washing the surface clean and removing the neutralized water soluble salts. The water for the wet blast system is of a very high purity characterized by a conductivity of between 0.5 and ten (10) micromohs/cm.

Abstract: The apparatus has a lower manifold with a plurality of passageways each with an inlet and an outlet and an upper chamber has an inlet and a plurality of orifices leading to the plurality of passageways respectively between their inlets and outlets. A pressure tank having particulate media under pressure is provided with a main conduit coupled thereto. The main conduit splits into an air and media conduit portion which is coupled to the inlet of the upper chamber and an air conduit portion which extends upward for separating the air from the particulate media and then downward where it is coupled to the inlets of the passageways.