US5375378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for cleaning surfaces with an abrading composition
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-04-06
•
Granted: 1994-12-27
•
Expires: 2013-04-06
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method and devices for hydroblasting wherein a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, the hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound, is ejected at the surface to be cleaned.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Rooney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:04
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24C; B24C5/00; B24C5/02; B24C5/04; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/043; B08B9/0436; B08B9/053; B08B9/057; B24C1/00; B24C1/003; B24C1/04; B24C1/045; B24C3/00; B24C3/32; B24C3/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of cleaning a surface comprising the steps of: obtaining a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, said hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; pumping the hydrolyzed solution to an orifice; and spraying the pumped hydrolyzed solution through said orifice at a pressure greater than 500 p.s.i. to impinge the solid particles of the silica compound on the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of cleaning a surface comprising the steps of: obtaining a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, said hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; pumping the hydrolyzed solution to an orifice; and spraying the pumped hydrolyzed solution through said orifice at a pressure greater than 500 p.s.i. to impinge the solid particles of the silica compound on the surface to be cleaned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of inducing nucleation of the hydrolyzed solution to increase the number of solid particles in the hydrolyzed solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2, where the step of inducing nucleation comprises passing the pumped hydrolyzed solution through a tubular member having impact fins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of adding an amount of acid sufficient to lower the pH of the hydrolyzed solution to approximately 7.0 to 7.5 prior to pumping the hydrolyzed solution through the orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the silica compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and fumed silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding an amount of acid sufficient to lower the pH of the hydrolyzed solution to approximately 7.0 to 7.5 prior to pumping the hydrolyzed solution through the orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the acid is a volatile acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and citric acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 0.5 to 3.0 vol. % fumed silica and approximately 3 to 5 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 20 to 25 vol. % fumed silica and approximately 3 to 5 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 1 to 5 wt. % solid sodium silicate crystals and approximately 6 to 10 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 10 vol. % fumed silica.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the surface to be cleaned is an inside surface of a pipe or tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the solid particles are a gel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of cutting a deposit from a surface comprising the steps of: obtaining a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, said hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; pumping the hydrolyzed solution through a tubular member, said tubular member having means for nucleation; ejecting the pumped hydrolyzed solution through an orifice toward said surface, the ejected hydrolyzed solution having a pressure greater than 500 p.s.i.; and impinging said solid particles of the silica compound onto the surface to remove the deposit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of cutting a deposit from a surface comprising the steps of: obtaining a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, said hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; pumping the hydrolyzed solution through a tubular member, said tubular member having means for nucleation; ejecting the pumped hydrolyzed solution through an orifice toward said surface, the ejected hydrolyzed solution having a pressure greater than 500 p.s.i.; and impinging said solid particles of the silica compound onto the surface to remove the deposit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the means for nucleation comprises impact fins.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the means for nucleation comprises stepped impact planes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the silica compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and fumed silica.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of adding an amount of acid sufficient to lower the pH of the hydrolyzed solution to approximately 7.0 to 7.5 prior to pumping the hydrolyzed solution through the orifice.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the acid is a volatile acid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and citric acid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 0.5 to 3.0 vol. % fumed silica and approximately 3 to 5 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 20 to 25 vol. % fumed silica and approximately 3 to 5 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 1 to 5 wt. % solid sodium silicate crystals and approximately 6 to 10 vol. % of a sodium silicate solution of approximately 40° to 42° Baume.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the hydrolyzed solution is obtained by adding to a quantity of water approximately 10 vol. % fumed silica.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the solid particles are a gel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a hydroblasting method for ejecting a fluid to clean a surface, the improvement comprising using as the fluid a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, the hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; and further employing a nucleation means to increase the number of the solid particles.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a hydroblasting method for ejecting a fluid to clean a surface, the improvement comprising using as the fluid a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, the hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound; and further employing a nucleation means to increase the number of the solid particles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hydroblasting method of claim 27, wherein the nucleation means comprises a tubular member having impact fins.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hydroblasting method of claim 27, wherein the silica compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate and fumed silica.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3870560A
Cited
US4216910A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-26 | 1998-06-27 | 1998-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | 2002-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-26 | 2006-06-27 | 2006-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |