Abstract:
A method of comminuting the size of particles of frangible blast media from each particle's respective initial size to a size smaller than a desired maximum size includes directing a flow of entrained particles toward a gap, at a first location splitting the flow into at least a first and second flow, the particles are entrained in the first flow, the first flow travels through the gap and substantially no particles are entrained in the second flow, and rejoining the second flow with the first flow at a second location downstream of and proximal to the gap.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus keeps ice from interfering with the flow of cryogenic particles entrained in a flow exiting a blast nozzle during continuous operation of a particle blast system. A fluid stream having appropriate temperature, moisture content and flow rate flows through an annular passageway which surrounds the nozzle.
Abstract:
A method of comminuting the size of particles of frangible blast media from each particle's respective initial size to a size smaller than a desired maximum size includes directing a flow of entrained particles toward a gap, at a first location splitting the flow into at least a first and second flow, the particles are entrained in the first flow, the first flow travels through the gap and substantially no particles are entrained in the second flow, and rejoining the second flow with the first flow at a second location downstream of and proximal to the gap.
Abstract:
An apparatus for forming solid carbon dioxide blocks comprises a chamber with an internal cavity, a flow control valve including a variable area orifice, an actuator configured to control the area of the variable area orifice and a controller configured to vary the are of the variable area orifice while liquid carbon dioxide is being flashed to solid carbon dioxide snow through the flow control valve. A method of forming carbon dioxide blocks comprises the steps of varying the area of an orifice while flowing liquid carbon dioxide through the orifice under sufficient pressure to flash the liquid carbon dioxide to solid carbon dioxide snow.
Abstract:
A comminutor reduces the size of particles of frangible blast media from each particle's respective initial size to a size smaller than a desired maximum size. The frangible blast media may be entrained in a flow of transport gas. The comminutor includes an inlet and an outlet, both in fluid communication with an internal flow passageway. The internal flow passageway includes a first intermediate passageway which comprise the gap defined by two rotating rollers and a second intermediate passageway which includes an inlet disposed proximal the gap, extending in an upstream direction therefrom.
Abstract:
A particle blast apparatus transport is capable of generating granular sized particles and delivering them without substantial storage to a single hose feeder assembly. The apparatus is configured to be used with solid blocks of cryogenic material, such as carbon dioxide, and with individual pellets of such material.
Abstract:
A fragmenter provides fragmentation of frangible blast media entrained in a subsonic flow. The flow is converged prior to reaching a fragmenting element, and the convergence may be followed by a constant cross-section area section. Immediately upstream and downstream of the fragmenting element may be an expansion area to reduce the potential of water ice buildup.
Abstract:
FIG. 1 is a top, front left perspective view of a particle blast apparatus, showing our new design; FIG. 2 is a left elevation view thereof; FIG. 3 is a right elevation view thereof; FIG. 4 is a front elevation view thereof; FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view thereof; FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof; and, FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view thereof. The evenly-spaced broken lines in the drawings are included for purpose of illustrating portions of the particle blast apparatus that form no part of the claimed design. The dot-dash-dot broken lines in the drawings are included for the purpose of defining the boundary of the claim, it being understood that the region between the dot-dash-dot broken lines and the dot-dash-dot broken lines themselves form no part of the claimed design.
Abstract:
Liquid carbon dioxide is transformed into solid snow and compressed into strands. A shroud defines an insulating plenum/volume surrounding a forming chamber, which reduces heat transfer to the forming chamber. A faction of gas phase flow resulting from the process fills the insulating plenum/volume, reducing heat transfer further.
Abstract:
A particle blast apparatus includes a metering portion, a comminutor and a feeding portion. The metering portion and comminutor may each be configured to provide uniformity in the discharge of particles. The metering portion controls the particle feed rate, and may include a rotor, which may have V or chevron shaped pockets. The comminutor includes at least one roller which may be moved between and including a position at which the gap of the comminutor is at maximum and a position at which the gap is at minimum. The metering portion may particles direction into the feeding portion without a comminutor being present. The comminutor may receive particles directly from a source of blast media without a metering portion being present.