Patent ID: 6390899
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B24C

Abstract:
A device for the decontamination of surfaces, by means of a composite jet of compressed air flowing from an upstream end (1â€²) defined adjacent to inlets (11, 13), to a downstream end (7â€²), defined adjacent to an outlet, and a fine sprayable particulate and a liquid, the device comprising:(a) a generally cylindrical hollow mixing chamber (5, 50); (b) a generally cylindrical hollow spray nozzle (7, 9; 90); (c) an outer body (1) having a bore (2) housing the mixing chamber (5, 50); and (d) a sleeve (7) of substantially cylindrical shape having a bore (8) housing the spray nozzle (7, 9; 90), the outer body (1) and the sleeve (7) being connected by attachment means (4, 14) such that the mixing chamber and spray nozzle are held adjacent one another, wherein the mixing chamber (5, 50) is supplied axially (13) by said liquid and is obliquely offset with respect to the axis of said chamber (5, 50) with the mixture of air and fine particulate, said chamber being in fluid communication with the spray nozzle (7, 9; 90); wherein said outer body (1) is provided with a first inlet (13) for the supply of liquid in the axial direction to the mixing chamber (5, 50), and with a second inlet (3, 11) whose axis is oblique and offset from that of the mixing chamber for the entry of the mixture of air and fine particulate; andwherein said second inlet (3, 11) is situated in such a way that the mixture of air and fine particulate reaches the inner wall of the mixing chamber (5, 50) near the upstream end as defined with respect to fluid flow and is offset from the axis of the mixing chamber toward one side when on the northern hemisphere and toward another side when on the southern hemisphere, the side being determined so that the jet of air and sprayable material benefits from the Coriolis effect.