Patent GB-1392215-A (GB)
Title: Abrasive cleaning
IPC: B24C1/08
Filed: 1972-07-27
Abstract: 1392215 Abrading ACME-CLEVELAND CORP 27 July 1972 [5 Aug 1971] 35132/72 Heading B3D Apparatus for abrasive cleaning of a workpiece 12 comprises container means 15, 16 having first and second conduits 19, 20 each having a work end 21, 22 which, when placed in communication permits abrasive transporting means to perform two half cycles, in one of which abrasive particles are mixed with fluid and pass through the first conduit and then the second, and in the second of which abrasive particles are mixed with fluid and pass through the second conduit and then the first. The workpiece 12 may have internal passages 13 to be cleaned of flash, sand and the like and is secured by cam clamps 25, 26 so that it is connected with an opening 28 engaging the work end 21 of the first conduit 19, and openings 29, 30, 31 connected with a manifold 27 of the work end 22 of the second conduit 20. The manifold has valved openings 32, 33, 34 closable by solenoids of fluid motors 35, 36, 37 controlled by a timer 61. Each conduit 19, 20 is connected to a respective container 15, 16 of the container means through a valve 43, 44. The bottoms of the containers are also connected by valves 41, 42 to Venturies 46, 48 in the conduits, and further Venturies 47, 49 in the conduits are connected to the upper parts of the containers. The valves 41... 44 may be operated by solenoids of fluid motors 52 ... 55 by a control means 60 operable by switches 63, 64 which are retracted by the level of liquid in the containers. Manual valves 65, 66 are provided at the tops of the containers for charging the containers with abrasive and liquid. Air can be supplied to the top of container 15 or 16 under the control of a bi-directional valve 59 connected to an air pressure source 68. The apparatus can perform three different cycles, cleaning, flushing and drying. In the cleaning cycle, the first half cycle is effected by the control means positioning valve 59 so that pressurized air is supplied to the top of container 15 and the valves 41 ... 44 are opened so that liquid flows through valve 43 into the first conduit 19 and, because of the Venturi 46 sucks abrasive 17 past valve 41. The second Venturi 47 causes air in the pipe 50 connected to the top of the container to be entrained in the mixture of liquid and abrasive which then passes along the conduit 19, through the workpiece and along the second conduit 20 into the container 16 until the level switch 64 is actuated to reverse valve 59 so that the air pressure is directed to the top of container 16 to reverse the flow. The timer 61 controls the motors 35, 36, 37 so that the mixture passes through each of the workpiece passages 29, 30, 31 for a predetermined time. The cleaning cycle may be repeated a number of times. Thereafter the valves 41 and 42 are closed to prevent the flow of abrasive, the valves 43, 44 remaining open so that the apparatus perform a flushing cycle. The valves 43 and 44 are closed thereafter so that only air passes along the conduits to effect a drying cycle. In another embodiment, a liquid pump supplied pressure liquid alternately to the top of containers 15, 16 to effect the flow first in one and then in the opposite direction. Air is supplied directly to the Venturies 47, 49 under the control of a two-way valve. A workpiece having external surfaces to be cleaned may be placed within a two-part hinged housing, the ends of which can be connected to the work ends of the conduits 19, 20. In a further arrangement air alone is used to transport the abrasive through the conduits.