Micro-abrasive blasting device and method for advanced flow-control

Abstract

The present invention is a superior micro-abrasive blasting device ( 55 ) with a flow-control mechanism ( 65 ) and a flow-actuated discharge conduit seal ( 80 ). Flow-control is achieved through the deformation of discharge conduit ( 10 ) to control the opening of discharge conduit ( 10 ). The flow-control mechanism ( 65 ) provides for the continuous pressurization of the mixing chamber ( 23 ) to yield instantaneous flow start-up response and instantaneous flow shut-off response. Flow-actuated discharge conduit seal ( 80 ) is optimally disposed at discharge conduit inlet ( 12 ) and is normally shut when no flow is present. The operation of flow-actuated discharge conduit seal ( 80 ) prevents the entry of particulate matter ( 20 ) into discharge conduit ( 10 ) when no flow is present, for either when mixing chamber ( 23 ) is pressurized or depressurized. A method is provided for maintaining discharge conduit outlet ( 70 ) stationary with respect to target material ( 40 ) while flow-control mechanism ( 65 ) is actuated. The method utilizes the deformation properties of discharge conduit ( 10 ) to provide the necessary compliance so the discharge conduit outlet ( 70 ) remains stationary. An additional method is provided for preventing the entry of particulate matter ( 20 ) into discharge conduit ( 10 ) when no flow is present. The method utilizes a mechanism mounted onto discharge conduit ( 10 ) that seals discharge conduit ( 10 ) when no is present, yet opens when there is flow through micro-abrasive blasting device ( 55 ).

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . A micro-abrasive blasting device, comprising: 
 a chamber having a side wall, a first end wall at one end of the chamber and a second end wall at an opposite end of the chamber;    a gas-receiving port in said second end wall;    a gas-delivery conduit disposed within said chamber and extending in fluid communications from said gas-receiving port towards said first end wall;    a discharge port in said chamber wall;    a discharge conduit elongated from a discharge conduit inlet to a discharge conduit outlet and extending in fluid communications through said discharge port external to the chamber;    a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the chamber;    wherein means for flow-control is located on said discharge conduit.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the discharge conduit extends from the discharge port internal to the chamber.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus, according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed on the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus, according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed at said discharge conduit inlet.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 means for a flow-actuated seal is located on the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus, according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed at said discharge conduit inlet.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed at the discharge port.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus, according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said means for a flow-actuated seal is contiguous and/or integral with the discharge port and/or chamber wall.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a segment of the discharge conduit is contiguous and/or integral with at least one chamber wall.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the chamber second end wall is removable.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said flow-control means prevents depressurization of the chamber.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for flow-control.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides actuation force means for flow-control.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for maintaining said discharge conduit outlet stationary.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 means for flow-control is provided via the deformation of the chamber wall.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a flow-control mechanism is integral to said micro-abrasive blasting device.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a external actuation mechanism engages said micro-abrasive blasting device to provide means for flow-control.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus, according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said external actuation mechanism is disposed in and/or integral to a pressurized-gas source connector.    
     
     
         20 . A micro-abrasive blasting device, comprising: 
 a chamber having a side wall, a first end wall at one end of the chamber and a second end wall at an opposite end of the chamber;    a gas-receiving port in said second end wall;    a gas-delivery conduit disposed within said chamber and extending in fluid communications from said gas-receiving port towards said first end wall;    a discharge port in said chamber wall;    a discharge conduit elongated from a discharge conduit inlet to a discharge conduit outlet and extending in fluid communications through said discharge port external to the chamber;    a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the chamber;    wherein said discharge conduit supports means for a flow-actuated seal.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the discharge conduit extends from the discharge port internal to the chamber.    
     
     
         22 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed at said discharge conduit inlet.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said means for a flow-actuated seal is disposed at the discharge port.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus, according to  claim 23 , wherein: 
 the means for a flow-actuated seal is contiguous and/or integral with the discharge port and/or chamber wall.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 a segment of the discharge conduit is contiguous and/or integral with at least one chamber wall.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the chamber second end wall is removable.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus, according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 means for flow-control is provides via deformation of the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said flow-control means prevents depressurization of the chamber.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides actuation force means for flow-control.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for maintaining the discharge conduit outlet stationary.    
     
     
         32 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 means for flow-control is provided via the deformation of chamber wall.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 a flow-control mechanism is integral to said micro-abrasive blasting device.    
     
     
         34 . The apparatus, according to  claim 27 , wherein: 
 a external actuation mechanism engages said micro-abrasive blasting device to provide means for flow-control.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus, according to  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said external actuation mechanism is disposed in and/or integral to a pressurized-gas source connector.    
     
     
         36 . The apparatus, according to  claim 34 , wherein: 
 a integral actuator mechanism provides actuation means to said external actuation mechanism.    
     
     
         37 . A method for flow-control of a micro-abrasive blasting device, comprising: 
 a chamber having a side wall, a first end wall at one end of the chamber and a second end wall at an opposite end of the chamber;    a gas-receiving port in said second end wall;    a gas-delivery conduit disposed within said chamber and extending in fluid communications from said gas-receiving port towards said first end wall;    a discharge port in said chamber wall;    a discharge conduit elongated from a discharge conduit inlet to a discharge conduit outlet and extending in fluid communications through said discharge port external to t he chamber;    a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the chamber;    means for deforming said discharge conduit;    wherein deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for controlling the flow through the discharge conduit while maintaining said discharge conduit outlet stationary.    
     
     
         38 . The method, according to  claim 37 , wherein: 
 a flow-actuated discharge conduit seal restricts the entry of said particulate matter into the discharge conduit when no flow is present.    
     
     
         39 . A method for preventing the entry of particulate matter into a discharge conduit of a micro-abrasive blasting device, comprising: 
 a chamber having a side wall, a first end wall at one end of the chamber and a second end wall at an opposite end of the chamber;    a gas-receiving port in said second end wall;    a gas-delivery conduit disposed within said chamber and extending in fluid communications from said gas-receiving port towards said first end wall;    a discharge port in said chamber wall;    a discharge conduit elongated from a discharge conduit inlet to a discharge conduit outlet and extending in fluid communications through said discharge port external to the chamber;    a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the chamber;    means for a flow-actuated seal disposed on said discharge conduit;    wherein said flow-actuated seal restricts the entry of said particulate matter into the discharge conduit when no flow is present.    
     
     
         40 . The method, according to  claim 39 , wherein: 
 deformation of the discharge conduit provides means for controlling the flow through the discharge conduit while maintaining said discharge conduit outlet stationary.