Patent ID: 7347768
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: B24C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to test abrasion resistance of materials, comprising: a conduit; an air stream generating device to generate an air stream in the conduit; a control device to control the air stream generating device to vary the velocity of the air stream; a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit so that the air stream blows the particulate toward a test sample positioned in the conduit, wherein the particulate handling device is configured to meter the particulate into the air stream; a diffuser positioned within and joined to the conduit to diffuse the flow of particulate in the air stream so that the density of particulate in the air stream is substantially uniform, wherein the diffuser has a plurality of openings, each opening being at a particular height with respect to a test sample such that the opening at the greatest height allows particulate to strike an upper portion of the test sample, an opening at a height lower than the greatest height allows particulate to strike a middle portion of the test sample, and an opening at a lowest height allows particulate to strike a lower portion of the test sample; and wherein the control device varies the velocity of the air stream and the particulate handling device varies the amount of particulate metered into the air stream, such that the control device and particulate handling device may each work independently for controlling the amount of density of particulate in the air stream.