Apparatus for abrasive surface treatment

Abstract

An apparatus for treatment of a surface has a holding tank configured to mix pressurized gas from the source with an abrasive glass powder, wherein the powder has a mean particulate size of 210 microns or less. A regulator in fluid communication with the holding tank is configured to reduce output pressure from the holding tank to 20 psi or lower. A nozzle is in fluid connection with the holding tank output, the nozzle having a shutoff valve, a feeder tube fitted to the valve and formed of a polymer material, and a hardened metal insert fitted into an end of the feeder tube and having an orifice that is configured to direct the compressed gas and abrasive glass powder to the surface.

1 . An apparatus for treatment of a surface comprising:
 (a) a source of gas pressure;   (b) a holding tank configured to mix pressurized gas from the source with an abrasive glass powder, wherein the powder has a mean particulate size of 210 microns or less;   (c) a regulator in fluid communication with the holding tank and configured to reduce output pressure from the holding tank to 20 psi or lower; and   (d) a nozzle that is in fluid connection with the holding tank output, the nozzle having:
 (i) a shutoff valve; 
 (ii) a feeder tube fitted to the valve and formed of a polymer material; 
 (iii) a hardened metal insert fitted into an end of the feeder tube and having an orifice that is configured to direct the compressed gas and abrasive glass powder to the surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the metal insert is maintained in position in the nozzle by output pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent hood that fits over the end of the feeder tube, wherein the transparent hood defines a separation distance between the nozzle orifice and the treatment surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the transparent hood is further configured to adjust the separation distance and an incident angle of the compressed gas relative to the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the transparent hood has a vacuum port for recovery of spent abrasive glass powder. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the abrasive glass powder has a mean particulate size of 100 microns or less. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle that seats the metal insert is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is formed using additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for abrasive treatment of a surface comprising:
 (a) a compressor that is energizable to generate and direct a pressurized gas flow through an output orifice at from 10 to 30 psi;   (b) a power source coupled to or provided within a housing, the power source configured to provide drive power to the compressor for actuating the gas flow, as controlled by an operator switch on the housing;   (c) a supply reservoir coupled to or provided within the housing, the reservoir in fluid communication with the gas flow and configured to supply an abrasive glass powder to the gas flow, wherein the powder has a mean particulate size of 210 microns or less;   and   (d) a transparent hood, formed of a flexible material and configured for coupling to the housing at a position that defines at least a working distance from the output orifice to the treatment surface.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising one or more indicators on the housing that indicate a low abrasive powder level. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising at least one operator-adjustable control for output pressure level, wherein the control is disposed on the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the compressor is within the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the powder has a mean particulate size of 100 microns or less. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pressurized gas flow is pulsed. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the transparent hood position on the housing is adjustable by a user. 
     
     
         16 . A handheld apparatus for abrasive treatment of a surface comprising:
 (a) a housing that seats a refillable supply reservoir configured for storing and distributing an abrasive particulate, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with a nozzle on the housing, the nozzle having an output orifice that is treated for directing a pressurized fluid flow containing the particulate toward the surface, and wherein the housing further comprises a control switch for manual operation; and   (b) a compressor within the housing, wherein the compressor is energizable, according to the control switch position, to generate the pressurized fluid flow that exits through the output orifice at from 10 to 30 psi;   wherein the housing is configured to connect to a removable battery for providing drive power.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the nozzle is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the nozzle is formed using additive manufacturing. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a transparent hood, formed of a flexible material and configured for coupling to the housing at a position that defines at least a working distance from the output orifice to the treatment surface.