Patent Publication Number: US-9844851-B2

Title: Method of using an improved blasting system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to PCT/US2014/022170 (filed on Mar. 7, 2014), which in turn claims benefit to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/773,816 (filed on Mar. 7, 2013). This application is filed on Tuesday, Sep. 8, 2015, which is the day after Labor Day, where the USPTO was closed on Labor Day. 
     Likewise filed today is US national stage application 14/773,694 (filed 2015-Sep.-08, which is the same day as this application). The national stage application claims benefit to all of these applications as well. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE) 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE) 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to an improved blasting system and method of use. Examples of similar disclosures can be found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,244,317, and 6,321,939, US20050003747, and US20120015592. However, none of the known inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed. Accordingly, an improved blasting system and method of use would be advantageous. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A blasting system, comprising a tank, a center tube, an inlet, a top aperture. Said tank holds a slurry mixture for blasting application. Said inlet receives a pressurized air. Said center tube receives a portion of said pressurized air and selectively receives a portion of said slurry mixture. A portion of said center tube exits said tank at said top aperture. Said tank comprises a top end and a bottom end. Said relief valve regulates fluid capacity in said tank and relives pressure from said tank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C  illustrate a perspective firs side and second side overview of a blasting system, and a flow diagram. 
         FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  illustrate an elevated side view, top view and bottom view of said tank. 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate a perspective overview, an elevated side view, and an elevated top view of said venting cap. 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  illustrate a series of perspective overviews of said venting cap; first, removed from said tank, next placed on top of, but not fastened to said refilling aperture, and finally fastened to said refilling aperture. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a perspective detailed overview of a position locking assembly in a closed position ( FIG. 5A ) and an open position ( FIG. 5B ). 
         FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C  illustrate an elevated top view, an elevated side view, and a perspective overview of a filter. 
         FIG. 6A  also includes a cross-section view of said center tube. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an elevated cross-section front view of two configurations of said tank. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates said center tube  516  in a closed configuration and  FIG. 7B  illustrates said center tube in an open configuration, as discussed below. 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates an elevated cross-section front view of said center tube and a coupling nipple. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate two elevated cross-section side overviews of said blasting system with said slurry mixture in motion. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a perspective cross-section overview and an elevated top view of said blasting system. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a perspective overview and a schematic of a fill valve and a relief valve on said blasting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Described herein is an Method of Using an Improved Blasting System. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
       FIGS. 1A , IB and  1 C illustrate a perspective firs side and second side overview of a blasting system  100 , and a flow diagram. In one embodiment, said blasting system  100  can comprise a tank  102 , a cart  104 , a venting cap  105 , a pinch cutoff valve  106  (or “valve”), a vibrator  107 , a bleed valve  108 , and a collar element  111 . In one embodiment, said tank  102  can comprise an outlet  110 , an inlet  112 , and a bracket  114 . In one embodiment, said cart  104  can attach to a portion of said tank  102  for easy mobility. 
     In one embodiment, said cart  104  can comprise a two wheels (comprising a first wheel  113   a  and a second wheel  113   b ) attached to said bracket  114 ; wherein, said bracket  114  attaches to said tank  102  and said two wheels allow said blasting system  100  to roll. Said cart  104  can comprise a handle  115 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 1C , in one embodiment, said bleed valve  108  can regulate an air pressure applied into said outlet  110 . In one embodiment, said venting cap  105  can attach to a refilling aperture  116 . In one embodiment, a one or more air hoses can connect an air compressor  126  and said tank  102 , said vibrator  107  and said pinch cutoff valve  106 . In one embodiment, said one or more air hoses can comprise a valve air hose  118   a , a vibrator air hose  118   b  and a tank air hose  118   c . In one embodiment, said valve air hose  118   a  can attach to said pinch cutoff valve  106 . In one embodiment, said vibrator air hose  118   b  can attach to said vibrator  107 . In one embodiment, said tank air hose  118   c  can attach to said inlet  112 . In one embodiment, said vibrator  107  can create a vibrating force against said tank  102  to keep a slurry mixture  120  moving through said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said blasting system  100  can comprise a blasting hose  119 . In one embodiment, said blasting hose can deliver a blasting fluid out of said blasting system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, said blasting system  100 , can comprise a blast nozzle  122 , a control box  124 , a check valve  125  and said air compressor  126 . In one embodiment, a compressed air can pass from said air compressor into said control box  124  and on to a remaining portion of said blasting system  100 . In one embodiment, said control box  124 , can transfer said compressed air to said tank  102 , said vibrator  107 , and/or to said pinch cutoff valve  106 , as discussed above. In one embodiment, said check valve  125  can be placed between said tank  102  and said control box  124 . In one embodiment, said check valve  125  can ensure that said compressed air from said control box  124  and said air compressor  126  do not send too much air pressure into said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said compressed air can mix with a slurry mixture  120  within said tank  102 , passing through said pinch cutoff valve  106 , and out of said blast nozzle  122 . 
     In one embodiment, said vibrator  107  can maintain a viscosity of said slurry mixture  120  by vibrating said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said vibrator  107  can be caused to shake by supplying a compressed air to said vibrator  107 . In one embodiment, said pinch cutoff valve  106  can close a fluid passage within said blasting hose  119 , between said tank  102  and said blast nozzle  122 . 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C  illustrate an elevated side view, top view and bottom view of said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said tank  102  can comprise a top end  201   a , a bottom end  201   b , a shell  202 , a top portion  204 , a cone  206 , a neck  208 , a top aperture  211 , said threading  210  and a one or more lug nuts. In one embodiment, said one or more lug nuts can comprise a first lug nut  212   a , a second lug nut  212   b , a third lug nut  212   c , and a fourth lug nut  212   d . In one embodiment, said collar element  111  can attach to said threading  210  of said outlet  110 . In one embodiment, said valve air hose  118   a  can attach to said inlet  112  at said bracket  214 . 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  illustrate a perspective overview, an elevated side view, and an elevated top view of said venting cap  105 . In one embodiment, said venting cap  105  can comprise said bleed valve  108 , a one or more notches, a valve release arm  304 , a handle  306 , a lever  308 , and a fulcrum  310 . In one embodiment, said one or more notches can comprise a first notch  302   a , a second notch  302   b , a third notch  302   c , a fourth notch  302   d . In one embodiment, pressing said valve release arm  304  can open said bleed valve  108 . In one embodiment, opening said bleed valve  108  can allow a gas in said tank  102  to be released, and thereby causing a pressure within said tank  102  to move toward an equilibrium with a pressure outside of said tank  102 , as is known in the art. 
     Said venting cap  105  is one among many novel features of this disclosure, in that many prior blasting systems have caps that are bolted on tanks. In this case, however, said venting cap  105  is attached to said tank  102  by pressure when said tank  102  is pressurized. Accordingly, removing said venting cap  105  from said tank  102  requires that said tank  102  be depressurized. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  illustrate a series of perspective overviews of said venting cap  105 ; first, removed from said tank  102 , next placed on top of, but not fastened to said refilling aperture  116 , and finally fastened to said refilling aperture  116 . In one embodiment, attaching said venting cap  105  to said tank  102  can comprise: aligning said one or more notches of said venting cap  105  with said one or more lug nuts of said tank  102  (illustrated  FIG. 4A ); sliding said one or more notches through said one or more lug nuts; pressing and sealing said venting cap  105  against said refilling aperture  116 ; rotating said venting cap  105  beneath said one or more lug nuts (illustrated  FIG. 4B ); and holding said venting cap  105  under said one or more lug nuts (illustrated  FIG. 4C ). In one embodiment, rotating said venting cap  105  beneath said one or more lug nuts can comprise rotating said venting cap  105  by 90 degrees. In one embodiment, an air pressure in said tank  102  must be bleed before removing said venting cap  105 . In one embodiment, bleeding said air pressure in said tank  102  can comprise opening said bleed valve  108 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a perspective detailed overview of a position locking assembly  502  in a closed position ( FIG. 5A ) and an open position ( FIG. 5B ). In one embodiment, said position locking assembly  502  can comprise a lower hinge  504 , a lever  506 , a lock pin  508 , an arm  510 , a fulcrum  512 , a clamp  514 , and a center tube  516 . In one embodiment, said lower hinge  504  can allow said lever  506  to rotate to either said closed position or said open position. In one embodiment, said lock pin  508  can be used to lock said in a particular location or, otherwise, to limit a range of motion of said position locking assembly  502 . In one embodiment, said arm  510  can attach said lever  506  to said clamp  514 . In one embodiment, said clamp  514  can hold said center tube  516  in place and allow said center tube  516  to be in said closed position or said open position. In one embodiment, when said position locking assembly  502  is in said closed position, said position locking assembly  502  will not allow said slurry mixture  120  to pass through said center tube  516 . In one embodiment, when said position locking assembly  502  is in said open position, said position locking assembly  502  will allow said slurry mixture  120  to pass through said center tube  516 . 
       FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C  illustrate an elevated top view, an elevated side view, and a perspective overview of a filter  602 .  FIG. 6A  also includes a cross-section view of said center tube  516 . In one embodiment, said filter  602  can comprise a first portion  604 , a second portion  606 , a third portion  608 , a center aperture  610 , a top portion  612 , a bottom portion  614 , a side edge  616 , a one or more apertures. In one embodiment, said one or apertures can comprise a first aperture  618   a , a second aperture  618   b , a third aperture  618   c , a first aperture  620   a , a second aperture  620   b , and a third aperture  620   c . In one embodiment, said first portion  604 , said second portion  606 , and said third portion  608  are substantially similar in design and extend outwardly from a center aperture  610 . In one embodiment, said top portion  612  and said bottom portion  614  are substantially similar in design and can have a substantially flat surface area. In one embodiment, said side edge  616  extends around said filter  602 . 
     Said center aperture  610  can comprise an internal diameter being larger than an external diameter of said center tube  516 , which can allow said center tube  516  to have a minimal amount of movement. Said center aperture  610  can comprise a supporting surface configured to allow said center tube to selectively rotate within said filter. 
     In one embodiment, a portion of said second portion  606 , said third portion  608  and said center aperture  610  can be welded to a portion of said tank  102  to prevent said filter  602  from moving freely within said tank  102 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an elevated cross-section front view of two configurations of said tank  102 .  FIG. 7A  illustrates said center tube  516  in a closed configuration and  FIG. 7B  illustrates said center tube  516  in an open configuration, as discussed below. In one embodiment, said tank  102  can comprise a height  702 . In one embodiment, said center tube  516  can have a length  704  that can be substantially equal to said height  702  of said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said vibrator  107  can be attached to said shell  202  and toward said cone  206 . In one embodiment, said center tube  516  can pass through said center aperture  610  of said filter  602 . In one embodiment, said cone  206 , said filter  602  and said vibrator  107  can work together to ensure that said slurry mixture  120  moves freely through said tank  102  and remains properly mixed together. Said center tube  516  is capable of sliding up and down through said collar element  111  whilst retaining a fluid seal within said tank  102  at said collar element  111 . 
     In one embodiment, with said center tube  516  open, said slurry mixture  120  can move into said center tube  516 . 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates an elevated cross-section front view of said center tube  516  and a coupling nipple  708 . In one embodiment, a lower portion  710  of said center tube  516  can selectively connect to said coupling nipple  708 . In one embodiment, said coupling nipple  708  can be in fluid connection with said inlet  112 . In one embodiment, said lower portion  710  can comprise a beveled inner diameter  712 , and said coupling nipple  708  can comprise a shoulder  714  as illustrated; wherein, said beveled inner diameter  712  can seal against said shoulder  714  when said center tube  516  is in a closed configuration (as in  FIG. 7A ). 
     In one embodiment, said center tube  516  can be moved to said closed position and said open position by rotating said lever  506  near said collar  111 . 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate two elevated cross-section side overviews of said blasting system  100  with said slurry mixture  120  in motion. 
     In one embodiment, said cone  206  of said tank  102  can comprise an angle of repose  830  designed to ensure that said slurry mixture  120  moves through said tank  102 . In one embodiment, the triple effect of said angle of repose  830 , said vibrator  107  and said filter  602  can ensure that said slurry mixture  120  does not clog in said tank  102 . In one embodiment, said angle of repose  830  can be about 60 degrees. In one embodiment, a higher value for said angle of repose  830  can be advantageous; thus an angle between 50 and 100 degrees may be useful. In one embodiment, flatter angles can lower a flow rate of said slurry mixture  120 . 
     Focusing on  FIG. 8A , said slurry mixture  120  moves into said center tube  516  with said blasting system  100  in said open configuration; likewise, a pressurized air  832  passes through said inlet  112 , through said coupling nipple  708  and into said center tube  516  pulling said slurry mixture  120  at the same time. 
     Focusing now on  FIG. 8B , a portion of said slurry mixture  120  can enter said center tube  516 , mix with a portion of said pressurized air  832 , pass to an upper portion  711  of said center tube  516 , a portion exits a one or more internal hydraulic accumulators (comprising a first hydraulic accumulator  840   a  and a second hydraulic accumulator  840   b ), passing through an elbow  842 , and exiting said blasting system  100  at said blast nozzle  122 . In one embodiment, said one or more hydraulic accumulators can equalize pressure between said center tube  516  and said tank  102 . Accordingly, a pressure from said upper portion  711  of said center tube  516  pushes down on a portion of said slurry mixture  120  stored in said tank  102 . Thus, said blasting system  100  recognizes that dust is not compressible and the pressure equalization between said center tube  516  and said tank  102  ensures fluid movement of said slurry mixture  120  into said lower portion  710  of said center tube  516 . 
     In one embodiment, said pinch cutoff valve  106  can cut off a fluid movement from said tank  102  to said blast nozzle  122  by blocking a flow out of said blasting hose  119 . In one embodiment, said pinch cutoff valve  106  can be fail safe, such that if a portion of said blasting system  100  shuts down, said pinch cutoff valve  106  will close automatically. In one embodiment, said pinch cutoff valve  106  can be activated (opened) by said air compressor  126 . 
     In one embodiment, said pinch cutoff valve  106  can have a splash guard  844  designed to redirect any spilled fluids from said blasting hose  119  downward away from a user of said blasting system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, by lifting said lever  506 , said center tube  516  and said lower portion  710  (nearest the bottom of the tank) can be raised and thereby allows said slurry mixture  120  in said tank  102  to enter in said lower portion  710  of said center tube  516 . While said center tube  516  is in said open position and said closed position said collar  111  holds said tank in an air tight status wherein, said slurry mixture  120  is allowed to exit said tank only through said lower portion  710 . 
     Said blasting system  100  can create a useful phenomenon while in use. In one embodiment, said tank air hose  118   c  can deliver hot air into said center tube  516 , combine with said slurry mixture  120  in said center tube  516  and exit said blast nozzle  122  at a cold temperature. 
     A portion of said slurry mixture  120  is ejected from said blasting system  100  as a blast stream  860 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a perspective cross-section overview and an elevated top view of said blasting system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, said bleed valve  108  can allow an air pressure within said valve air hose  118   a  to be vented at said pinch cutoff valve  106 . Thus, in one embodiment, said bleed valve  108  can allow said pinch cutoff valve  106  to release its cutoff of said blast nozzle  122 . In one embodiment, said center tube  516  and said pinch cutoff valve  106  can rotate freely relative to said shell  202 ; in so doing, said blasting hose  119  and blast nozzle  122  can move freely about said blasting system  100 . This distinction is novel in the field, where the classic manner of pulling a slurry mixture out of a tank is by gravity, and  360  rotational movement is the exception not the rule. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a perspective overview and a schematic of a fill valve  1002  and a relief valve  1004  on said blasting system  100 . In one embodiment, filling said blasting system  100  can comprise adding a fluid into said fill valve  1002 . In one embodiment, said fill valve  1002  can comprise a check valve  1006 . In one embodiment, said relief valve  1004  can regulate a volume of fluid contained in said tank  102  by forcing fluids to escape once they reach a relief valve level  1008 . In one embodiment, said check valve  1006  can keep fluid out of a pump. 
     In one embodiment, said blasting system  100  can be used for dissolving an oxidizing soluble chlorides with said portion of said slurry mixture expelled from said blast nozzle toward a target object. Likewise, a portion of said slurry mixture expelled from said blast nozzle toward a target object is cold due to the compression and decompression of said slurry mixture. 
     Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”