US4389820A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blasting machine utilizing sublimable particles
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1980-12-29
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2000-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A blasting machine utilizing sublimable particles comprising forming means (14) for producing particles having a substantially uniform length thereto, dispensing means (32) for receiving the particles and for introducing the particles into a low pressure transport gas flow, and a nozzle (44) for accelerating the particles and having a high pressure, low velocity gas flow coupled to it, the nozzle (44) being adapted to convert the high pressure, low velocity gas flow into a low pressure, high velocity gas flow. A conduit (142) coupled to the nozzle (44) and the dispensing means (32) receives the particles and introduces the particles into the low pressure, high velocity gas flow within the nozzle (44) which entrains the particles and accelerates them to a high exit velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin C. Fong
- 👤 John W. Altizer
- 👤 Vernon E. Arnold
- 👤 John K. Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:21
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24C; B24C1/00; B24C1/003; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/04; B01F23/042; B01F23/09; B01F23/10; B01F23/12; B01F23/30; B01F33/00; B01F33/80; B01F33/834; B24C5/00; B24C5/02; B24C5/04; B24C7/00; B24C7/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A blasting machine utilizing particles of materials capable of sublimation comprising: forming means for producing said particles, said forming means including means for causing said particles to have a substantially uniform length thereto; dispensing means coupled to said forming means and adapted to receive said particles from said forming means and to introduce said particles into a low pressure transport gas flow; nozzle means for accelerating said particles and having a high pressure, low velocity gas flow coupled thereto, said nozzle means being adapted to convert said high pressure, low velocity gas flow into a low pressure, high velocity gas flow; and conduit means coupled to said nozzle means and said dispensing means for receiving said particles and said low pressure transport gas flow and for enabling said low pressure transport gas flow to transport said particles to said nozzle and to deliver said particles into said low pressure, high velocity gas flow within said nozzle; whereby said particles are entrained in said high velocity gas flow and are accelerated thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A blasting machine utilizing particles of materials capable of sublimation comprising: forming means for producing said particles, said forming means including means for causing said particles to have a substantially uniform length thereto; dispensing means coupled to said forming means and adapted to receive said particles from said forming means and to introduce said particles into a low pressure transport gas flow; nozzle means for accelerating said particles and having a high pressure, low velocity gas flow coupled thereto, said nozzle means being adapted to convert said high pressure, low velocity gas flow into a low pressure, high velocity gas flow; and conduit means coupled to said nozzle means and said dispensing means for receiving said particles and said low pressure transport gas flow and for enabling said low pressure transport gas flow to transport said particles to said nozzle and to deliver said particles into said low pressure, high velocity gas flow within said nozzle; whereby said particles are entrained in said high velocity gas flow and are accelerated thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said forming means includes a die having a plurality of holes therein from which said particles are extruded and said means for causing said particles to have a substantially uniform length thereto comprises a plurality of pins positioned with respect to said holes to deflect said extruded particles to cause said particles to shear at a preselected length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said forming means comprises a pelletizer and said particles comprise pellets formed in said pelletizer with a substantially uniform length thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means includes a plurality of rotating chambers which are adapted to receive said particles at a first position and to discharge said particles at a second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The blasting machine of claim 4 wherein said forming means is coupled to said dispensing means at said first position to deliver said particles to said rotating chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The blasting machine of claim 5 further including vacuum means coupled to said dispensing means at said first position for aspirating said particles into said chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The blasting machine of claim 4 further including means for introducing a low pressure gas flow into said chambers at said second position to discharge said particles into said conduit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The blasting machine of claim 7 further including means for regulating the introduction of said low pressure gas flow into said chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 or 7 further comprising means for regulating the temperature of said low pressure gas flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 further comprising means for regulating the temperature of said high pressure, low velocity gas flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means comprises a rotary airlock.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means has a converging region to reduce the pressure of said high pressure, low velocity gas and to increase the velocity of said high pressure, low velocity gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The blasting machine of claim 12 wherein said nozzle means has a diverging region following said converging region along the direction of flow of said high pressure, low velocity gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blasting machine of claim 13 wherein said conduit means introduces said particles at a preselected position within said diverging region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The blasting machine of claim 13 wherein said conduit means has adjustment means coupled thereto adapted for insertion into said converging and diverging regions of said nozzle means for adjusting the magnitude of the pressure and velocity of said high pressure, low velocity gas along said nozzle means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The blasting machine of claim 15 wherein said adjustment means further introduces said particles at a preselected position along said nozzle means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The blasting machine of claim 13 wherein the diverging region of said nozzle means further includes an extended tube with a gradually diverging taper to accelerate said pellets to a high exit velocity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The blasting machine of claim 13 wherein said nozzle means comprises a supersonic nozzle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said particles are composed of solid carbon dioxide and further including means coupled to said forming means for delivering liquid carbon dioxide thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The blasting machine of claim 19 further including vaporizer means coupled to said means for delivering liquid carbon dioxide for producing therefrom said low pressure gas flow and said high pressure, low velocity gas flow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said gas flows consist of air.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The blasting machine of claim 1 wherein said gas flows consist of a mixture of air and helium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |