Blasting apparatus and method for blast cleaning a solid surface
First Claim
1. A method of blast cleaning comprising the steps of:
- a. containing a quantity of a first and a second blasting media in first and second blasting pots, respectively, wherein each blasting pot has a bottom with exit line in communication with a conveying line;
b. pressurizing each blasting pot and the conveying line to provide a differential pressure therebetween by a differential pressure metering system in communication with each blasting pot and the conveying line, wherein the differential pressure metering system joins each blasting pot and the conveying line to a source of pressurized gas;
c. feeding each blasting medium from each blasting pot through each exit line of each blasting pot to the conveying line, wherein each exit line has a variable size orifice for controlling flow of blasting media to the conveying line;
d. mixing blasting media with a stream of pressurized gas flowing within the conveying line at a uniform rate from the compressed gas source;
e. regulating the pressure in the pressure line and in the conveying line with a pressure regulator means to maintain a uniform differential pressure at a preselected level such that the pressure level within each pot is greater than the pressure within the conveying line;
f. sensing the pressure in each blasting pot and the conveying line with a sensor means connected to each blasting pot and conveying line for monitoring the differential pressure therebetween; and
g. discharging the mixture of blasting media and the stream of pressurized gas through a nozzle at an end of the conveying line at a uniform flow rate to a solid surface.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Blast cleaning with at least two types of abrasives employing a blasting apparatus having at least a first and a second closed blasting pot connected to a conveying line and the conveying line and each blasting pot are connected to a source of compressed gas by a differential pressure metering system. The differential pressure metering system provides a differential pressure between each blasting pot and the conveying line enabling blasting media in each pot to pass from each pot through a variable size orifice to the conveying line. Each blasting pot can be operated independently of each other enabling varying proportions of different types of blast media to be released in the conveying line and blasted from a nozzle to clean a solid surface.
62 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of blast cleaning comprising the steps of:
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a. containing a quantity of a first and a second blasting media in first and second blasting pots, respectively, wherein each blasting pot has a bottom with exit line in communication with a conveying line; b. pressurizing each blasting pot and the conveying line to provide a differential pressure therebetween by a differential pressure metering system in communication with each blasting pot and the conveying line, wherein the differential pressure metering system joins each blasting pot and the conveying line to a source of pressurized gas; c. feeding each blasting medium from each blasting pot through each exit line of each blasting pot to the conveying line, wherein each exit line has a variable size orifice for controlling flow of blasting media to the conveying line; d. mixing blasting media with a stream of pressurized gas flowing within the conveying line at a uniform rate from the compressed gas source; e. regulating the pressure in the pressure line and in the conveying line with a pressure regulator means to maintain a uniform differential pressure at a preselected level such that the pressure level within each pot is greater than the pressure within the conveying line; f. sensing the pressure in each blasting pot and the conveying line with a sensor means connected to each blasting pot and conveying line for monitoring the differential pressure therebetween; and g. discharging the mixture of blasting media and the stream of pressurized gas through a nozzle at an end of the conveying line at a uniform flow rate to a solid surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A blasting apparatus comprising:
- at least first and second closed blasting pots;
conveying line between each blasting pot and a nozzle at an end of the conveying line;
a source of compressed gas in communication with ends of each blasting pot and the conveying line;
exit line extending from a bottom of each blasting pot to the conveying line, wherein each exit line has a variable size orifice for controlling flow of blasting media to the conveying line;
a differential pressure metering system for providing a differential pressure between each blasting pot and the conveying line, wherein the differential metering system includes a pressure regulator means for regulating pressure within each blasting pot and the conveying line and for maintaining a positive, preselected differential pressure between each blasting pot and the conveying line; and
a sensor means connected to each blasting pot and to the conveying line, for monitoring the differential pressure therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- at least first and second closed blasting pots;
Specification