Method of removing ice from a surface by blasting
AssigneeWheelabrator-Frye Inc.
InventorRaymond M. Leliaert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for treatment of a surface over which vehicles travel with particulate material is disclosed. Particulate material is projected onto the surface with kinetic energy exceeding the bonding energy of the surface or the bonding energy of a deposit adhering to the surface which it is desired to remove. In the former case the method effects texturing of the vehicular surface by pitting thereof. In the latter case the method effects cleaning of the surface by removing the bonded deposits therefrom. Additionally, the method can be used for preparing a surface for repaving or for removing ice therefrom.
Claims6
A method for removing ice from a surface comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a particulate material according to the physical characteristics of the ice to be removed;
- b. Projecting the selected material onto the ice with kinetic energy sufficient to fragment the ice;
- c. recovering the particulate material;
- d. removing the ice fragments from the surface;
- and
- e. removing contaminants from the particulate material.
A method for removing ice from a surface comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a particulate material according to the physical characteristics of the ice to be removed;
- b. projecting the selected material onto the ice with kinetic energy sufficient to fragment the ice;
- c. recovering the particulate material including the substeps of:
- screening the material to remove contaminants;
- removing water from the recovered particulate;
- reusing the particulate material for further ice removal;
- d. removing the ice fragments from the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.