US 6,126,516 A · Centrifugal blasting apparatus

Abstract

A centrifugal blasting apparatus is configured to deliver friable media without destroying a large percentage of the delivered media. The centrifugal blasting apparatus includes a compressed air feed system that intermixes and fluidizes blast media with compressed air and delivers the fluidized blast media to a blast wheel. The control cage is formed with rounded interior surfaces to avoid sharp transitions that may otherwise fracture the media. The blades are curved to maximize accelleration of the blast media with the lowest possible rotational rate. The first edges of the blades, adjacent the axis of rotation, are configured to receive the blast media. Specifically, the first edges are rounded to minimize the amount of blast media that is broken by using a sharp leading edge. The channels on the blades themselves are also polished to minimize the amount of blast media that is broken while traveling along the surface of the blades.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A centrifugal blasting apparatus, comprising:

a blade mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and curved in the direction of rotation, said blade having a first end proximal the axis of rotation and a second end distal the axis of rotation;
a passage configured to deliver blast media from a source of blast media to the blade, said passage having at least one wall configured to smoothly redirect a direction of travel of the blast media;
and
an inlet formed in the passage and configured to intermix a flow of compressed air with the blast media to facilitate movement of the blast media through the passage.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Centrifugal blasting apparatus

Life of this patent

Centrifugal blasting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19