Process for treating articles of manufacture to eliminate superfluous projections

The process for the elimination of superfluous thin cross-section [surface projections including] unwanted burrs [ and] , flashings, surface irregularities or sharp portions of edges resulting from the mechanical shaping of a relatively much thicker cross-section article of manufacture which comprises:

• (a) providing the mechanically shaped article of manufacture with [superfluous projections] superfluities composed of a material and with a structure such that it resists damage when exposed to transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures sufficient to eliminate the [superfluous projections] superfluities and any damageable essential parts of the structure being protected from such transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures;
• (b) introducing the article with the [superfluous projections] superfluities into a sealed and confined space defined by walls capable of withstanding the transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures sufficient to eliminate the [superfluous projections] superfluities so that there are open spaces within the sealed and confined space surrounding the [superfluous projections;] superfluities;
• (c) generating a transient thermal energy release in a gaseous medium within the sealed and confined open space thereby producing transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures in the sealed and confined space , sufficient thermal energy being generated to thermally eliminate the [superfluous projections] superfluities without damage to the article of manufacture and without material alteration of the dimensions and configuration of the article of manufacture ;
• and
• (d) removing the article of manufacture, with the [superfluous projections] superfluities eliminated, from the sealed and confined space.

[12. The process of claim 10 wherein the transient elevated gaseous pressures and temperatures are produced by initiating a reaction in a composition which produces transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures in the sealed and confined space and wherein in addition particles of a solid material are provided in the sealed and confined space to facilitate the elimination of the superfluous projections by moving contact with the article of manufacture and the superfluous projections resulting from the reaction

• initiation in the composition.] 13. The process of claim 10 wherein the mechanically shaped article of manufacture with the superfluous projections also has needed surfaces which are protected by masking to
• prevent damage by the transient elevated temperatures and pressures. 14. The process of claim 10 wherein the transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures are produced by the ignition of a combustible gaseous mixture of an oxidizer gas and an oxidizable gas in the sealed and confined space and wherein there is a molar excess of the oxidizer gas over the requirements for reaction with the oxidizable gas sufficient to
• oxidize the superfluous projections on the article of manufacture. 15. The process of claim 14 wherein in addition the surfaces of the article of
• manufacture are subsequently cleaned. 16. The process of claim 14 wherein
• the oxidizer gas is oxygen. 17. The process of claim 10 wherein the transient elevated gaseous temperatures and pressures are produced by the substantially adiabatic compression of a gas in the sealed and confined
• space. 18. The process of claim 17 wherein the gas is an inert gas.
• 19. The process of claim 17 wherein the gas is an oxidizer gas. 20. The
• process of claim 17 wherein the gas is an oxidizable gas. 21. The process
• of claim 17 wherein the gas is an oxidizer gas. 22. The process of claim
• 21 wherein the oxidizer gas is oxygen. 23. A process for removal of superfluous [projections including] unwanted burrs [and] , flashings, surface irregularities or sharp edges extending from an article of manufacture and wherein the [superfluous projections] superfluities are the consequence of forming, fabricating, shaping or machining, which comprises:
• extending the [superfluous projection] superfluities into a sealed and confined open space and generating a transient thermal energy release in a gaseous medium within the sealed and confined open space thereby producing transient elevated gaseous temperatures in the open spaces within the sealed and confined space , sufficient thermal energy being generated to thermally eliminate the [superfluous projection] superfluities without material alteration of
• the dimensions and configuration of the article of manufacture. 24. The process for effecting localized [dimensional] changes by the removal of superfluous thin cross-section [portions of the surfaces of] burrs, flashings, surface irregularities or sharp edges on an article of manufacture without substantially affecting the established base dimensions and configuration of the article which comprises:
• (a) providing the [surfaces] portions of the article of manufacture requiring the localized [dimensional] changes by the removal of the thin cross-section [portions thereon] superfluities in a sealed and confined space such that there are open spaces surrounding the thin cross-section [portions;] superfluities;
• and
• (b) generating a transient thermal energy release in a gaseous medium within the sealed and confined open space thereby producing transient elevated gaseous temperatures in the open spaces within the sealed and confined space , sufficient thermal energy being generated to thermally effect the localized [dimensional] changes by the removal of the thin cross-section [portions on the surfaces] superfluities within the sealed and confined space without substantially affecting the established base dimensions and configuration of the article.