U.S. patent application number 15/858919 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-04 for adjustable abrasive & dust separator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Media Blast & Abrasive, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Robinson, Ronald D. Storer.
Application Number | 20190201828 15/858919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67057585 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-04 |
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190201828/US20190201828A1-20190704-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190201828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Storer; Ronald D. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2019 |
ADJUSTABLE ABRASIVE & DUST SEPARATOR
Abstract
Provided is a centrifuge media separator for separating blast
particulate from fine particulate carried by air flowing from a
blast cabinet and through the media separator. The centrifuge media
separator comprises an upper panel, a lower panel, and an outer
wall. The upper panel has a central opening formed therein. The
outer wall is configured in a truncated logarithmic shape and which
extends between the upper and lower panels. The outer wall has at
least one particulate escape aperture formed therein. The upper
panel, lower panel and outer wall collectively define a curvilinear
air passageway having an inlet and an outlet. An air foil extends
from the outer wall in to the air passageway. The distance than the
air foil extends in to the air passageway is adjustable. The inlet
is configured to allow a flow of air to enter the air passageway
and circulate therethrough toward the outlet. The escape aperture
is configured to exhaust the blast particulate out of the
passageway. The central opening is configured to exhaust the fine
particulate out of the passageway.
Inventors: |
Storer; Ronald D.; (Villa
Park, CA) ; Robinson; Robert A.; (Glenwood,
NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Media Blast & Abrasive, Inc. |
Brea |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67057585 |
Appl. No.: |
15/858919 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 45/12 20130101;
B04C 1/00 20130101; B01D 46/02 20130101; B24C 9/003 20130101; B04B
1/06 20130101; B24C 5/062 20130101; B24C 7/0015 20130101; B24C
9/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 46/02 20060101
B01D046/02; B24C 9/00 20060101 B24C009/00; B24C 7/00 20060101
B24C007/00; B04B 1/06 20060101 B04B001/06 |
Claims
1. A blast cabinet for blasting the surface of a workpiece with
blast particulate the blast cabinet comprising: a housing; blast
particulate placed within the housing; a centrifuge media
separator, including; a top panel; a bottom panel; an inner wall
extending downwardly from the top panel; an outer wall surrounding
the inner wall and extending between the top and bottom panels, the
outer wall defining a truncated logarithmic spiral; the top panel,
the bottom panel, inner wall, and outer wall collectively defining
a passageway and a central opening, the passageway having an inlet
and an outlet and a transverse cross section which generally
decreases from the inlet to the outlet; an escape aperture in the
outer wall; and an air foil adjacent the escape aperture, the air
foil extending from the outer wall in to the passageway a distance,
the distance being adjustable.
2. The blast cabinet of claim 1, wherein when the air foil is set
further from the outer wall, the air foil directs blast media with
less mass through the escape aperture.
3. The blast cabinet of claim 1, wherein the air foil includes at
least one adjustment slot.
4. The blast cabinet of claim 1, wherein the air foil includes a
bracket attached to an outer surface of the outer wall.
5. The blast cabinet of claim 4, wherein the air foil includes a
blade which attaches to the bracket.
6. The blast cabinet of claim 3, wherein the at least one
adjustment slot includes a gasket on an interior.
7. The blast cabinet of claim 5, wherein the blade is, attached to
the bracket by mechanical fasteners.
8. A centrifuge media separator for separating blast particulate
from fine particulate matter when both the blast media and fine
particulate matter are carried in an air flow, the centrifuge media
separator comprising: a top panel; a bottom panel; an inner wall
extending from the top panel; an outer wall including an escape
aperture, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall and extending
between the top and bottom, panels, the outer wall defining a
truncated logarithmic spiral shaped passageway, the passageway
having an inlet and an outlet, and the passageway having a
transverse cross section which generally decreases from the inlet
to the outlet; and an air foil including a leading edge, the air
foil extending from the outer wall toward the inner wall and the
leading edge angled in a direction opposite the air flow to direct
a portion of the air flow to the escape aperture; wherein when the
blast particulate and fine particulate matter enter the passageway
at, the inlet and are carried by the airflow toward the outlet, the
configuration of the passageway causes blast particulate to be
closer to the outer wall than the fine particulate matter, and the
air foil intercepts the blast particulate and directs the blast
particulate to the escape aperture, the air foil being adjustable
to vary the distance of the leading edge to the outer wall.
9. The centrifuge media separator of claim 8, wherein the air foil
includes a bracket and a blade, the bracket being attached to an
outer surface of an outer wall.
10. The centrifuge media separator of claim 9, wherein the blade is
attached to the bracket by at least one mechanical fastener.
11. The centrifuge media separator of claim 10, wherein the blade
includes at least one adjustment slot.
12. The centrifuge media separator of claim 11, wherein the at
least one mechanical fastener passes through the at least one
adjustment slot.
13. The centrifuge media separator of claim 8, wherein the air foil
creates an area of high pressure adjacent to the escape
aperture.
14. A method of forming a centrifuge media separator for separating
blast particulate from fine particulate matter when both the blast
particulate and tine particulate matter are carried in an air flow,
the method comprising: providing a top panel; providing a bottom
panel; providing an inner wall including a top edge; providing an
outer wall including an escape aperture, an upper edge, and a lower
edge; attaching the outer wall so that the outer wall surrounds the
inner wall and the upper edge attaches to the top panel and the
lower edge attaches to the bottom panel, the outer wall defining a
truncated logarithmic spiral; attaching the top panel to the top
edge of the inner wall such that there is a gap between the bottom
edge and the bottom panel; and attaching an air foil to the outer
wall, the air foil including a leading edge and adjustment slots,
the adjustment slots including a first end and a second end, and
the leading edge being angled in a direction opposite the air flow
to direct a portion of the, air flow to the escape aperture:
wherein the top panel, the bottom panel, inner wall, and outer wall
collectively define a passageway, the passageway having an inlet
and an outlet, and a transverse cross section which generally
decreases from the inlet to the outlet; and wherein the air foil is
adjustable along the length of the adjustment slots from the first
end to the second end to move the leading edge from closer to the
outer wall to further away from the outer wall.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the air foil creates an area of
high pressure adjacent to the escape aperture.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the air foil includes a blade
and a bracket, and the bracket is attached to the outer wall.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the blade is attached to the
bracket using mechanical fasteners.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the leading edge of the blade
is tapered.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein a bracket is attached to an
outer surface of the outer wall.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the mechanical fasteners arc
nut and bolt combinations.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates generally to blast cabinets
and, more particularly, to a uniquely configured centrifuge media
separator that may be included with the blast cabinet and which is
specifically adapted to separate blast particulate of various
masses from fine particulate such that the blast particulate may be
recycled through the blast cabinet while the fine particulate may
be removed from the blast cabinet in order to improve the
visibility of a workpiece being blasted within the blast
cabinet.
[0004] Blast cabinets are typically utilized to clean or generally
prepare surfaces of a workpiece by directing high pressure fluid
containing abrasive blast media or blast particulate toward the
workpiece. The abrasive blast particulate is typically a relatively
hard material such as sand, sodium bicarbonate (i.e., baking soda),
metallic shot or glass beads although many other materials may be
selected for use as the blast particulate. These media may have
differing masses, and therefore differing momentums when moved by
an air how of a given velocity. The blast cabinet typically
includes a housing supported on legs. The housing defines a
generally air tight enclosure having a pair of arm holes with
gloves hermetically sealed thereto such that an operator may
manipulate a blast hose and/or the workpiece for blasting thereof
within the enclosure. The blast hose is configured to direct the
high pressure fluid such as air carrying, the blast particulate at
high velocity toward the workpiece surfaces. The blast cabinet
typically includes a transparent window to allow the operator to
manipulate the workpiece and to visually observe the progress of
the blasting.
[0005] During blasting, the blast particulate bounces off of the
workpiece and is generally violently thrown about within the
enclosure such that a portion of the blast particulate normally
breaks down into smaller dust-like particles hereinafter referred
to as fine particulate. In addition, surface coatings, dirt and
scale that are abraded from the workpiece by the blast media
contribute to the formation of fine particulate within the
enclosure. The fine particulate is too small to be effective as a
blast medium and therefore must be eventually removed from the
blast cabinet. In addition. the fine particulate is of such small
size such that it may be suspended in the air within the enclosure
of the blast cabinet. Over time, the gradual buildup of the fine
particulate can create a foggy or clouded environment within the
enclosure which visually impairs or obstructs the operator's view
of the workpiece. Due to health and safety regulations and
environmental restrictions, the particulate-filled air cannot
simply be exhausted to the atmosphere. Rather, the
particulate-filled air must be filtered prior to exhaustion in
order to remove the fine particulate carried therein.
[0006] Accordingly, many prior art blast cabinets are ventilated
and include filters such that at least a portion of the fine
particulate may be purged from the air. Prior art cabinets having
the capability to purge fine particulate from air prior to its,
exhaustion out of the enclosure in order, to improve the operator's
visibility of the workpiece within the enclosure have been made.
These blast cabinets separate blast particulate from fine
particulate such that the blast particulate may be recycled
through, the blast cabinet. These blast cabinets also incorporate a
centrifuge media separator which eliminates the need for a
filter.
[0007] However, because the differing masses of blast media, the
principle of operation of the state of the art blast cabinets is
such that the blast cabinets work most effectively with higher mass
blast media. Cost of higher mass blast media may make lower mass
blast media more desirable. In addition, environmental regulation
of a particular geographic location may dictate the use of lower
mass blast media. Offering the flexibility for the same blast
cabinet to use blast media of differing masses offers tremendous
advantages.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided
a blast cabinet for blasting the surface of a workpiece with blast
media, the blast cabinet may comprise a housing, and blast media
placed within the housing. The blast cabinet may also include a
centrifuge media separator. The centrifuge media separator may
include a top panel, a bottom panel, an inner wall extending
downwardly from the top panels, and an outer wall including
surrounding the inner wall and extending between the top and bottom
panels, the outer wall may define a truncated logarithmic spiral.
The top panel, the bottom panel, inner wall, and outer wall may
collectively define a passageway and a central opening, the
passageway may have an inlet and an outlet and a transverse cross
section which may generally decrease from the inlet to the outlet.
The centrifuge media separator may further have an escape aperture
in the outer wall, and an air foil adjacent the escape aperture,
the air foil extending frons the outer wall in to the passageway a
distance, the distance being adjustable between a minimum and a
maximum.
[0009] There is further provided in the present disclosure a
centrifuge media separator for separating blast media from fine
particulate matter when both the blast media and fine particulate
matter are carried in an air flow. The centrifuge media separator
may include a top panel, a bottom panel, an inner all which may
extend from the top panel and may defining a gap between the inner
wall and the bottom panel, and an outer wall which may include an
escape aperture. The outer wall may surround the inner wall and
extend between the top and bottom panels. The outer wall may define
a truncated logarithmic spiral. The centrifuge media separator may
include an air foil. The air foil may include a leading edge. The
air foil may be attached to the outer wall and the leading edge may
be angled in a direction opposite the air flow to direct a portion
of the air flow to the escape aperture. The top panel, the bottom
panel, inner wall, and outer wall may collectively define a
passageway. The passageway may have an inlet and an outlet, and the
passageway may have a transverse cross section which may generally
decrease from the inlet to the outlet. When the blast media and
fine particulate matter enter the passageway at the inlet, and are
carried by the airflow toward the outlet, the configuration of the
passageway may cause fine particulate matter to be closer to the
inner wall than the blast media, and the air foil may extend from
the outer wall in to the passageway a distance to intercept the
blast media and may direct the blast media to the escape aperture,
the air foil may be adjustable to vary the distance between a
minimum and a maximum.
[0010] There is further provided in the present disclosure a method
of forming a centrifuge media separator for separating blast media
from fine particulate matter when both the blast media and fine
particulate matter are carried in an air flow. The method may
include providing a top panel, providing a bottom panel, providing
an inner wall including a top edge and a bottom edge; [0011]
attaching the top panel, to the top edge of the inner wall such
that there is a gap between the bottom edge and the bottom panel;
[0012] providing an outer wall including an escape aperture, an
upper edge, and a lower edge; [0013] attaching the outer wall so
that the outer wall surrounds the inner wall and the upper edge
attaches to the top panel and the lower edge attaches to the bottom
panel, the outer wall defining a truncated logarithmic spiral; and
[0014] attaching, an air foil to the outer wall, the air foil
including a leading edge and adjustment slots, the adjustment slots
including a first end and a second end, and the leading edge being
angled in a direction opposite the air flow to direct a portion of
the air flow to the escape aperture; [0015] wherein the top panel,
the bottom panel, inner wall, and outer wall collectively define a
passageway, the passageway having an inlet and an outlet, and a
transverse cross section which generally decreases from the inlet
to the outlet and the air foil is adjustable from the first end, to
the second end of the adjustment slots to move the leading edge
from closer to the outer wall to further away from the outer
wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blast cabinet having a
centrifuge media separator of the present invention incorporated
therein;
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the centrifuge media
separator having a spiral configuration for centrifugally directing
blast particulate to an outer wall of the media separator;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a centrifuge media
separator having an inner wall connected to the bottom panel;
[0020] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a centrifuge media
separator having no inner wall;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the centrifuge media
separator along sight line 3 in FIG. 2A, including the air foil
placed in the escape aperture;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded detail perspective view of the air
foil, escape aperture, and bracket of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the centrifuge media
separator at, the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the air foil, escape aperture,
and bracket of FIG. 5 with the air foil in the maximum
position:
[0025] FIG. 7 is a detail view of the air foil, escape aperture,
and bracket of FIG. 5 with the air foil in the minimum
position;
[0026] FIG. 8A is a top cross section view of a centrifuge media
separator with an alternative air foil;
[0027] FIG. 8B is a detail perspective view of the alternative air
foil of FIG. 8A;
[0028] FIG. 8C is a detail top view of the alternative air
foil;
[0029] FIG. 9A is a perspective of a centrifuge media separator
showing the bottom panel, inner wall, and central opening;
[0030] FIG. 9B is a side cross sectional view of the centrifuge
media separator of FIG. 9A;
[0031] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a centrifuge media
separator showing the bottom panel and central opening; and
[0032] FIG. 10B is a side cross sectional view of the centrifuge
media separator of FIG. 9A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain
embodiments of a machining tool assembly for a firearm lower
receiver and is not intended to represent the only forms that may
be developed or utilized. The description sets, forth the various
structure(s) and/or functions in connection with the illustrated
embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or
equivalent structure and/or functions may be accomplished by
different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further
understood that the use of relational terms such as first and
second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity from
another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is the blast cabinet 10 including
a centrifuge media separator 30 incorporated therein. The blast
cabinet 10 may be comprised of a housing 48 supported on legs 40. A
section of the housing 48 may have a generally inverted pyramid
shape such that spent blast particulate 18 may be funneled
downwardly toward a tower portion of the housing 48 and
subsequently picked up by the high pressure source (not shown) for
recycling through the blast cabinet 10. The housing 48 has a
generally air tight enclosure 12 with arm holes 26 to which two
hermetically sealed gloves 14 may be attached. The housing 48 also
includes a transparent window 16 such that an operator may reach
though the arm holes 26 to grasp and/or manipulate the workpiece 24
during blasting thereof with the pressure hose.
[0035] The housing 48 of the blast cabinet 10 may also include at
least one door allowing access into the enclosure 12 such that the
workpiece 24 may be inserted therein and removed therefrom. The
pressure hose is a conduit for a high pressure, high velocity
fluid. The fluid acts as a carrier medium and carries blast
particulate 18 for high velocity discharge onto surfaces of the
workpiece 24 in order to remove coatings from or otherwise prepare
the workpiece 24 surfaces, as will be described in greater detail
below. The fluid may be a gas such as air as may be utilized in the
blast cabinet 10 of FIG. 1. However, the fluid may also be a liquid
such as water. While the specific construction of the blast cabinet
10 is as shown in FIG. 1, it should be noted that the centrifuge
media separator 30 may be utilized or incorporated into blast
cabinets 10 and other similar devices of differing
configurations.
[0036] The media in the blast cabinet 10 is generally comprised of
blast particulate 18 and fine particulate 20. Although the mass of
the blast particulate 18 may vary between lower and higher masses,
the centrifuge media separator 30 separates the blast particulate
18 from the fine particulate 20 in order to purge the fine
particulate 20 from an interior of the blast cabinet 10 so as to
increase the visibility of a workpiece (not shown) being blasted by
a pressure hose (not shown) within the blast cabinet.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the centrifuge media separator 30 may
be specifically configured to separate blast media. To achieve the
separation of the blast particulate 18 and the fine particulate 20
the outer wall may include an escape aperture 44 which may operate
in combination with an adjustable an foil 50. The air foil 50 may
direct a portion of the high pressure, high velocity fluid toward
the escape aperture 44. The portion of the high pressure, high
velocity fluid being directed toward the escape aperture 44 may be
controlled by adjusting the air foil as is described in greater
detail below.
[0038] A portion of the high pressure, high velocity fluid may
carry blast particulate 18. Another portion of the high pressure,
high velocity fluid may carry fine particulate 20. The air foil 50
may be adjusted in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3,
so that the portion of the high pressure, high velocity fluid
carrying the blast particulate 18 may be directed by the air foil
50 to the escape aperture 44 to enable separation of the blast
particulate 18 from the fine particulate 20. Separation of the
blast particulate 18 from the tine particulate 20 allows for
reclaiming or recycling of the blast particulate 18 through the
blast, cabinet 10 in order to lower operating costs.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the centrifuge media separator 30
may include a top panel 54, a bottom panel 56, an inner wall 42,
and an outer wall 40. The outer wall 40 may extend between the top
and bottom panels 54, 56, and this orientation creates an outer
surface and inner surface of the outer wall 40. The outer wall 40
may surround the inner wall 42. The inner wall 42 may include a top
edge and a bottom edge. The top edge may be attached to the top
panel 54, such that the inner wall 42 extends partially downwardly
from the top panel 54. The bottom edge of the inner wall 42 and the
bottom panel 56 may define a gap. In this regard, the inner wall 42
may extend downwardly about one-quarter to about one-third of an
overall height of the centrifuge media separator 30 although the
inner wall 42 may extend downwardly in any amount. The inner wall
42 further defines a central opening 36 in the top and bottom
panels 54, 56. The overall height of the centrifuge media separator
30 is defined by a distance between the top and bottom panels 54,
56. By including the inner wall 42 with the centrifuge media
separator 30, the operating efficiency thereof may be improved.
[0040] Alternatively, as shown in the centrifuge media separator 30
of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the bottom edge of the inner wall 42 may be
connected to the bottom panel 56. When the bottom edge of the inner
wall 42 may be connected to the bottom panel 56, the top edge of
the inner wall 42 and the top panel 54 may fool). a gap. As shown
in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the centrifuge media separator may have no
inner wall 42. Regardless of whether the inner wall extends from
the top panel 54 or the bottom panel 56, the presence of an inner
wall 42 will improve the efficiency of the centrifuge media
separator 30. That is, the higher the efficiency only increasingly
smaller particles will be returned to the dust collector.
[0041] The top panel 54, bottom panel 56, inner wall 42, and outer
wall 40 may collectively form an air passageway through which the
blast media may be drawn by a low pressure source 52 such as a
blower mounted on the blast cabinet 10. The centrifuge media
separator 30 is fluidly connected to an interior 12 of the blast
cabinet 10. The low pressure source 52 is fluidly connected to the
central opening 36 and is configured to draw air into the inlet 34
and exhaust air through the central opening 36. In this manner, the
blast media may be drawn upwardly from the interior 12 and into the
air passageway 32 wherein the blast particulate 18 may be separated
from the fine particulate 20. Optionally, a filter 22 may be
provided with the blast cabinet 10 to filter excess amounts of fine
particulate 20 leaving the air passageway 32 prior to exhaustion
out of the blast cabinet 10. The blower may be mounted on the blast
cabinet 10 above the centrifuge media separator 30. The blower is
configured to ventilate the interior 12 by providing low pressure
in an area surrounding the centrifuge media separator 30. The low
pressure provided by the blower draws spent portions of the blast
media into the centrifuge media separator 30 for subsequent
separation into blast particulate 18 and fine particulate 20.
[0042] The inlet 34 of the passageway may be rectangular shaped due
to the orthogonal relation of the top and bottom panels 54, 56 and
the outer wall 40. Similarly, the outlet 38 may also be partially
rectangular shaped due to the orthogonal relation of the top and
bottom panels 54, 56, the outer wall 40 and inner wall 42. However,
the inlet 34 may be configured in a variety of alternative shapes
as may be provided by including an inlet 34 extension of, for
example, cylindrical shape. Similarly, the outlet 38 configuration
may be generally determined by the shape of the upper and lower
panels 54, 56 and the shape or the outer and inner walls 40, 42.
The inlet 34 is configured to allow a flow of air to enter the air
passageway 32 and circulate therethrough toward the outlet 38.
[0043] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the air passageway 32 is
preferably configured such that a cross sectional area thereof
generally decreases along a direction of the flow. Due to the
truncated logarithmic spiral shape of the outer wall 40, and
correspondingly. the passageway, the outlet 38 is disposed radially
inwardly relative to and positioned downstream of the inlet 34 such
that the flow of air enters the inlet 34, circulates through the
air passageway 32, exits the outlet 38, and rejoins the flow of air
entering the inlet 34. The escape aperture 44 is configured to
exhaust the blast particulate 18 out of the passageway. The central
opening 36 is configured to exhaust the fine particulate 20 out of
the passageway when the low pressure source 52 is applied to an
area surrounding the central opening 36 in the top panel 54, as
will be described in greater detail below. The centrifuge media
separator 30 may be manufactured from material selected from the
group consisting of wood, plastic, metal, stainless steel, steel,
or other suitable material and any combination thereof.
[0044] The outer wall 40 may include at least one particulate
escape aperture 44 formed therein such that the blast particulate
18 may be exhausted from the air passageway 32 for subsequent
recycling through the blast cabinet 10. The escape aperture 44 may
extend the entire height of the outer wall 40, may extend more than
three quarters of the height of the outer wall 40, or more than
half of the height of the, outer wall 40. The width of the escape
aperture 44 may vary. By way of example and not limitation, the
escape aperture 44 may be as little as 1/64 inch or small and as
much as 11/4 inch or larger. Other configurations are also
contemplated.
[0045] The outer wall 40 may include an air foil 50 mounted thereon
on a downstream side of the escape aperture 44. The air foil 50 may
be configured to create a local area of high pressure adjacent the
escape aperture 44. The air foil 50 may vary aspects of the escape
aperture 44. By way of example and not limitation, the air foil 50
may extend in to the air passageway 32 to change the shape of the
escape aperture 44, or may change the width of, the escape aperture
44, or both, as described in detail below.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the air foil 50 may extend generally
radially inwardly toward the central opening 36 and may span a
distance between the upper and lower panels 54, 56. More
specifically, the air foil 50 may be angled inwardly in a direction
generally opposite that of a direction of flow from the inlet 34 to
the outlet 38. The direction of flow into the inlet 34 and within
the air passageway 32 is indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow A. As
shown in FIGS. 5-7. the air foil 50 may be oriented at an angle of
about forty-five degrees relative to a tangent of the outer wall 40
at a location from which the air foil 50 may extend. However, it is
contemplated that the air foil 50 may be provided in a variety of
alternative configurations, including angles between 50 and 55
degrees. Due to its shape and orientation in the air passageway 32,
the air foil 50 may be configured to facilitate exhaustion of the
blast particulate 18 through the escape aperture 44. The air foil
50 may be a separate component that is mounted on the outer wall
40. Alternatively, the air foil 50 may be integrally faulted with
the outer wall 40.
[0047] The air foil 50 may include a bracket 60, for example an
angle bracket. attached to an outer surface 41 of the outer wall
40, a blade 35, and one or more mechanical fasteners 66. The
bracket 60 may have two sections joined along an edge, forming a
"V"-shaped transverse cross section. The bracket 60 may be joined
to the outer surface of the outer wall on a face of one of the two
sections. Alternatively, the bracket 60 may be joined to the outer
surface of the outer wall along two free ends of the sections. The
bracket 60 may be oriented at an angle of about forty-five degrees
relative to a tangent of the outer wall 40 at a location from which
the bracket 60 may be attached. However, it is contemplated that
the bracket 60 may be provided in a variety of alternative
configurations. Additionally, the bracket 60 may be attached to the
outer wall 40, or top or bottom panels 54, 56.
[0048] The blade 35 may include a number of adjustment slots 62.
The bracket 60 may include the same number of holes 64. Using the
adjustment slots 62 and holes 64, the blade 35 may be fixed to the
bracket 60 using the one or more mechanical fasteners 66. The
adjustment slots 62 may have a first end 68 and a second end 70.
As, shown in FIG. 7, when the blade 35 is fixed to the bracket 60
with the one or more mechanical fasteners 66 located at the first
end 68, the blade 35 is at a minimum extension in to the passageway
32. At the minimum extension, the blade 35 may direct only the
blast particulate 18 with the greatest mass through the escape
aperture 44. As shown in FIG. 6, when the blade 35 is fixed to the
bracket 60 with the one or more mechanical fasteners 66 at the
second end 70, the blade 35 is at a maximum extension in to the
passageway 32. The blade 35 may also be fixed to the bracket 60 at
any point in between the first end 68 and the second end 70 of the
adjustment slots 62. When the blade 35 is set at points beyond the
minimum, the air foil 50 may direct blast particulate 18 of
decreasing mass through the escape aperture 44, while still
allowing the fine particulate 20 to continue to the outlet 38.
[0049] The blade 35 may also include a leading edge 37 which is
tapered relative to front and rear faces of the blade 35. The taper
on the leading edge 37 may help to create the area of high pressure
adjacent to the escape aperture 44. When the blade 35 is attached
to the bracket 60 using the mechanical fasteners 66, the taper on
the leading edge 37 may present a relatively flat surface to the
air flow as opposed to an angled surface. The taper may be created
by a shorter front face of the blade and a longer rear faces of the
blade 35.
[0050] The one or more mechanical fasteners 66 may create a
friction connection between the one or more fasteners 66, the blade
35, and the bracket 60, preventing the blade 35 from moving
relative to the bracket 60. By way of example and not limitation,
the one or more mechanical fasteners 66 may include a nut and bolt
combination including various types of nuts, for example standard
hexagonal nuts and wing nuts, or holding screws that engage threads
on the angle bracket holes. Alternatively, the blade 35 and bracket
60 may be attached by any removable means which prevent the blade
35 and bracket 60 from moving relative to one another.
[0051] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C the air foil
50 may include two sections, a base section 70 and a blade section
72. The base section 70 may include adjustment slots 74. The
adjustment slots 74 may have a longitudinal axis substantially
parallel to a top edge and a bottom edge of the outer wall 40. A
mechanical fastener 66 may be disposed in each of the adjustment
slots 74. The each of the mechanical fasteners 66 may attach to the
outer wall 40 of the centrifuge, media separator 30. Alternatively,
the mechanical fasteners 66 may pass through both the adjustment
slots 74 and the outer wall 40 and have two pieces which compress
the base section 70 and outer wall 40 in between the two pieces of
the mechanical fastener 66. For example, the mechanical fastener 66
may be a nut and bolt with the bolt on the inside of the outer wall
40 and the nut compressing against the base section 70. The head of
the bolt or nut may be disposed on the side of the blade section 72
opposite the air flow, indicated by the arrows in FIG. 8A, in the
air passageway 32. The placement of the head of the bolt or nut
behind the blade section 72 prevents wear on the head of the bolt
or nut from the impact of particles. The mechanical Fasteners 66
may be loosened and the base section 70 moved so that the air foil
50 changes the width of the escape aperture 44. Adjusting the width
of the escape aperture 44 changes the efficiency of the centrifuge
media separator 30. Again, the narrower the escape aperture 44, the
smaller the particle that is sent to the dust collector.
[0052] The blade section 72 may form a common edge 76 with the base
section 70. The blade section 72 may have a fixed width from the
common edge 76 to a free edge 78 of the blade section 70. The fixed
width means that the blade section 72 will extend to a fixed depth
in the air passageway 32.
[0053] Because the blade 35 or the blade section 72 and base
section 70 are removeably attached, they may be replaced when they
experience wear. The ability to replace worn blades 35 or air foil
50 with the blade section 72 and base section 70 means that the
centrifuge media separator 30 will not experience a large drop in
efficiency because of the wear to the parts.
[0054] Alternatively, there may be no air foil 50 in the escape
aperture 44, The configuration including no air foil 50 may
function well for low efficiency applications with large, heavy
abrasives. The escape aperture 44 in this configuration may be from
1/4 inch to 1.5 inches, with 3/4 inch to 1 inch being preferred.
The heavy abrasive may have enough momentum to continue on a path
defined by a tangent to the curve of the outer wall 40 at the near
side of the escape aperture 44. The curve of the outer wall 40 may
allow the abrasive to pass through the escape aperture 44 on the
path of the tangent.
[0055] In use, the centrifuge media separator 30 may be attached to
the blower as mentioned above. The blower creates an area of low
pressure adjacent the central opening 36. The area of low pressure
draws air into the inlet 34. As was earlier mentioned, the air
contains a combination of blast particulate 18 and fine particulate
20. Because the centrifuge media separator 30 is configured such
that the air passageway 32 circles about itself, particulate having
a density greater than the air (i.e., the blast particulate 18)
tends to be centrifugally directed toward, the outer wall 40. The
blast particulate 18 may circulate within the centrifuge media
separator 30 in a sliding manner against the outer wall 40.
[0056] When the blast particulate 18 reaches the escape aperture
44, the blast particulate 18 may be directed to the escape aperture
44 by the air foil 50, and exhausted from the air passageway 32. If
no blast particulate 18 is exhausted through the escape aperture
44, it may be because the blast particulate 18 has a relatively
lower mass, and is travelling in the air flow too far away from the
outer wall 40 to be directed to the escape aperture 44 by the air
foil 50. The air foil 50, and specifically, the blade 35, may be
adjusted by loosening the mechanical fasteners 66 and sliding the
blade 35 to extend further in to the passageway 32, then
retightening the one or more mechanical fasteners 66. An air foil
50 which extends further in to the passageway 32 will capture lower
mass blast particulate. A pressure, differential may exist between
an inside and outside of the air passageway 32 at an area adjacent
the escape aperture 44. As discussed above, the air foil may 50
extend in to the air passageway 32 some distance at an angle. When
the air flowing through the air passageway 32 contacts the blade
35, the air will change direction, and the change in direction will
reduce the velocity of the air. The reduced velocity air will be at
a pressure higher than the air in the air passageway 32 moving at a
constant velocity or than air that is accelerating in the air
passageway 32. The air exterior to the passageway 32 may have a
lower pressure compared to that on the inside of the air passageway
32, and even lower than the air in the vicinity of the air foil 50,
such that the blast particulate 18 is drawn to the outside of the
air passageway 32. Once outside of the air passageway 32, gravity
may draw the blast particulate 18 downwardly into a blast
particulate hopper such that the blast particulate 18 can be
reused. Thus, the pressure differential between the inside and
outside of the air passageway 32 may be Increased with the addition
of the air foil 50 such that the separating efficiency of the
centrifuge media separator 30 is enhanced. The ability to precisely
adjust the air foil 50 allows flexibility in the blast particulate
18 the blast cabinet 10 may use.
[0057] Downstream of the escape aperture 44, the air circulating
through the air passageway 32 may contain fine particulate 20. The
air with fine particulate 20 may be drawn through the central
opening 36 formed in the upper panel 54 due to the application of
low pressure by the blower. The air may pass under and around the
inner wall 42 such that it may be drawn upwardly through the
central opening 36. The low pressure may be sufficient to draw air
with fine particulate 20 through the central opening 36 but not
insufficient to draw the blast particulate 18 therethrough. As
such, the blast particulate 18 downstream of the escape aperture 44
may be recirculated through the air passageway 32 and redirected
back to the inlet 34 such that the blast particulate 18 might pass
through the escape aperture 44.
[0058] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of attaching the
blade to the bracket. Further, the various features of the
embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying
combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to
the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the
claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *