CA2121268A1 - Ice blast particle transport system for ice fracturing system - Google Patents
Ice blast particle transport system for ice fracturing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2121268A1 CA2121268A1 CA 2121268 CA2121268A CA2121268A1 CA 2121268 A1 CA2121268 A1 CA 2121268A1 CA 2121268 CA2121268 CA 2121268 CA 2121268 A CA2121268 A CA 2121268A CA 2121268 A1 CA2121268 A1 CA 2121268A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- rollers
- fracturing
- particles
- air
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
- F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
- F25C5/046—Ice-crusher machines
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
- B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
- B24C1/003—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods using material which dissolves or changes phase after the treatment, e.g. ice, CO2
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In an ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice particles to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus, the ice fracturing unit having i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers;
ii) a chute for directing ice sheets downwardly into a nip region of the ice fracturing rollers;
iii) a collector for the freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the collector having a converging portion which directs ice particles downwardly into the delivery hose;
iv) a housing for the ice fracturing rollers, the improvement comprising:
v) air nozzles for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath the ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers; and vi) the swirl flow of ice particles traveling downwardly in a spiral-like manner of the converging portion and into the delivery hose.
In an ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice particles to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus, the ice fracturing unit having i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers;
ii) a chute for directing ice sheets downwardly into a nip region of the ice fracturing rollers;
iii) a collector for the freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the collector having a converging portion which directs ice particles downwardly into the delivery hose;
iv) a housing for the ice fracturing rollers, the improvement comprising:
v) air nozzles for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath the ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers; and vi) the swirl flow of ice particles traveling downwardly in a spiral-like manner of the converging portion and into the delivery hose.
Description
` ICE 0105 PCA -1-, :~. ICE BLAST PARTICLE TRANSPORT
~Y8TEN FOR ICE FR~CTURING SY8TEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
':
- This invention relates to an ice blast : 5 particle transport system for use in an apparatus for blasting freshly formed ice particles to perform work on . the substrate surface.
BACKGROUND ART
~ Particle blasting has been employed for some Lr~ 10 time to remove material from surface structures. Sand blasting and other types of grit blasting have been used to remove surface finishes from building exteriors, vehicle surfaces, mechanical parts and the like. Sand or grit blasting, however, requires expensive recovery .. ;~ 15 systems to reduce poliution and other environmental hazards. Water can be used in conjunction with the grit ~ ;
blasting procedure to reduce particle losses and consequent harm to the environment.
c~ Although grit blasting is very effective in 1 treating building and vehicle surfaces, great care has to be exercised in treating more sensitive surfaces such as airplane skin which cannot be abraded during the ~`1 surface treatment process.
:
~i~ The blasting of ice particles resolves a ~¦ 25 number of the above problems so that several attempts have been made in-providing commercially viable ice blasting equipment. It is appreciated that the blasting :~, of ice particles provides significantly less ~t - environmental harm because subsequent to impact the ice 1 30 particles melt hence assisting in the removal and ''' :
. . .
disposal of removed material. As a result, there is a considerable reduction in dust contributed to the environment. Due to the nature of ice particles, there are several problems associated with blasting the ice ; 5 particles to achieve sufficient work on the surface to be treated. By their nature, ice particles are not free-flowing. Normally, to provide an accumulation of ice particles during machine shut-down and the like, an inventory of ice particles is accommodated by various `-; lO mechanical devices interposed between the ice making system and the blast nozzle. Howevex, this results in ~ the ice particles packing and causing plugging problems i in the system at various points in the intervening mechanical devices. The variety of mechanical devices is normally employed in developing and transporting the ice particles are rotors, augers, classifiers, cyclone separators, metering devices, overflow receivers, surge tanks and the like. All of these components are provided in an attempt to manage the problems associated with ice packing in the system due to the development of ice accumulation. But, by virtue of the provision of - the various components, their own interaction can inadvertently result in packing of ice particles at -~ various points in the processing system. Furthermore, the operation of these mechanical components has to be precisely controlled with special precautions to attempt to avoid ice packing in their components and also avoid ~ system clogging. As is appreciated, these problems can `~ be further magnified when ice blast systems are required to operate at distances some 20 to 50 meters from the ice-forming equipment.
. ~
U.S. Patent 4,703,5sO discloses a particle molding apparatus suitable for molding ice particles for -~ blasting purposes. As the ice particles are formed, -~ 35 they are collected in a reservoir at the base of the "
~, 2121268 molding machine. As the blast system is operated, particles are sucked from the reservoir in the molding apparatus and transported to the nozzle for purposes of doing work. However, it has been found that the inventory of ice particles within the reservoir of the ice particle making device still causes ice packing and subsequent system clogging, particularly during intermittent blasting operations.
.`~ .
Another system which provides for the delivery 10 of ice particles to the blast nozzle is disclosed in U.K. Patent Application 2,171,624. The ice particles are delivered in segments to a venturi restriction for pick up by the high speed air. However, when blasting ceases, the ice particles tend to clog up and pack in 15 their segment portions, resulting in further down time of the system until the clogging is dislocated.
.~ !
Y An attempt to overcome these problems is disclosed in PCT International Publication Nos.
~i' WO90/14927 and WO91/04449. The systems which are `, 20 disclosed in these applications provide for the ``` development of ice, ice crushing, particle sizing, cyclone separation, fluidization and delivery of ice particles to the blast nozzle. As already mentioned, such systems require very precise control and, by virtue 25 of the number of interactive components, defeated the - objective in attempting to deal with the accumulation of ice particles and by their nature, packing in the system ;~ and causing clogging with consequent significant down time.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus overcomes the above problems by delivering the '~' -~.....
---` 21212~8 ice particles on an as needed basis. This has been ~;~ achieved by supplying in real time and on demand, the ice particles required at the blast nozzle. The freshly formed ice particles are immediately delivered to the ; 5 blast nozzle at the mass flow-rate at which they are created. Undesirable accumulation or inventory of the ice particles in the system is avoided. Furthermore, the present invention provides an ice particle transport - system for transporting ice particles away from the fracturing system to avoid build up of ice particles in - areas beneath the fracturing rollers.
., .
According to an aspect of the invention, in an - ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice particles to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus, the fracturing unit having:
i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers, ii) means for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly into a nip region of the ice fracturing `";~ rollers;
.
20iii) means for collecting freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the collecting means having a ; converging portion which directs ice particles ~- downwardly into the delivery hose, coupled to an outlet of said delivery hose;
iv) a housing for the ice fracturing rollers, the improvement comprising:
-~ v) means for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath - the ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers; and vi) means for inducing the swirl flow of ice particles to travel downwardly in a spiral-like manner ~ .:
~ , ~, ~
,.
~ ` 2~2~2~8 :; ~
ICE 010S PCA -5- ~ -through said converging portion and into the delivery hose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
. . .
Preferred embodiments of the invention are ~ 5 shown in the drawings wherein: -- Figure 1 is a perspective of the ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus.
~ Figure 2 is a section through the ice ,. 10 fracturing unit of Figure 1.
.. .~ . . ~ . .
Figure 3 is a section through the counter~
rotating ice fracturing rollers of the system of Figure . 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The ice fracturing unit in accordance with various aspects of this invention may be used with a variety of mobile or stationary ice blasting systems.
The ice fracturing unit is sufficiently compact for use in a production line so as to treat on a continuous or ~ 20 intermittent basis, adjacent conveyed articles. In y'~i production line setups, it may be necessary that the ice fracturing unit be operated 24 hours of the day for up to 6 days or more with little if any shut down or service time. Although the ice fracturing unit of this invention has the capability to supply on an as needed ` basis freshly fractured ice particles to avoid any accumulation or inventory of ice particles in the system, it has been found that the ice fracturing unit of this invention is capable of operating on a .
:, :
:.
~. .
~,, continuous basis for several days or weeks without the need for service or repair.
It is understood that the ice fracturing unit, in accordance with the preferred embodiments shown in Figure 1, is best used in fracturing ice flakes and sheets as supplied by an ice sheet or flake forming unit that forms ice on a refrigerated drum prior to removal of the ice from the drum as particles or flakes that are ~, used in the blasting as is hereinafter more fully ~ 10 described. To facilitate an understanding of the ;~c operation of the ice fracturing unit of this invention, the following discussion of the ice maker is provided.
. .
The refrigerated drum is rotated about an axis with the lower portion of the drum immersed in a water ` 15 bath. The chilled drum is rotated with its surface approaching a doctor blade. As the drum rotates, a thin ~; film of water is picked up on the surface of the drum.
Due to the continuous chilling of the drum by refrigerant, the sheet of water commences to freeze and is essentially frozen by ths time the sheet reaches the upper circumferential position of the drum. The doctor blade is mounted on an angle with respect to the surface of the drum and lifts the freshly formed sheet of ice from the drum. In so lifting the sheet of ice from the drum, the sheet, in its entire expanse of the width of the drum, is broken up into smaller sheets or flakes.
~ The smaller sheets or flakes then fall downwardly ; through an appropriate chute or the like and are ; directed at the ice fracturing unit. The ice making device only produces ice sheet when ice particles are ` required at the blast nozzle of the ice blasting system, otherwise through appropriate control devices, the ice maker is stopped so that ice no longer forms on the drum `:
., ':
:, `: - 21212~ :
and any ice which is removed from the drum falls immediately into the ice fracturing unit.
It is understood that various types of ice blast nozzles may be used which are connected to the ice ~
5 delivery hose. ~ ;
The improvement provided by this invention -~
~, -~ with respect to the operation of an ice blast system is to provide for the transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing unit. The ice particles are transported in a manner to minimize or completely avoid build up of ice particles beneath the ice fracturing rollers particularly the very fine ice particles of less ~; than 1 mm in all dimensions which are a byproduct in the ~' ice fracturing process. The approach in accordance with this invention in providing for the transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers particularly facilitates continuous operation of the system. It is appreciated that over extended periods of operation in terms of days or weeks even a very slow build up of ice particles beneath the ice fracturing unit is to be avoided which is now provided for in accordance with this invention. With rsfer~nce to Figure 1, the ice fracturing unit 10 has a chute 12 or other like device for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly in the direction of arrow 14 toward the nip region 16 of the counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The ice fracturing rollers are housed within a housing 22 where, in accordance with this embodiment, ~, the chute 12 is intesrally formed with the housing 22 and connected in region 24 about the noted seam. This region of interconnection functions as a means for connecting the chute 12 to the housing.
~.
~-~, . .. . . . .
212~26~
ICE 0105 PCA -~-Beneath the housing 22, and in turn beneath the ice fracturing rollers 18 and ~0, is an ice particle ; collecting device 26 for co:Llecting freshly fractured ice particles and directing them downwardly into an ice particle delivery hose 28. The ice particle delivery hose 28 is connected to a blast nozzle. High pressure air as supplied through a separate hose (not shown) ; delivers warm high pressure air to a blast nozzle. The - blast nozzle normally includes a venturi arrangement ` 10 where the high pressure high velocity air develops in turn a sub-atmospheric pressure or a relative low pressure in the ice particle delivery hose 28 so that the ice particles are transported along the hose in the direction of arrow 30. Some makeup air is normally supplied in the region of the ice maker above the ice fracturing unit so that the relative low pressure ~ developed in the hose 28 which is communicated through ; to the chute 12 which is part of a closed system, is -~equalized by the cool make up air introduced to the system. This, in turn, ensures that surfaces within the ice fracturing system are maintained at a cool temperature as well as will be discussed with respect to various embodiments of this invention, additional cool make-up air is directed into the nip region, the roller t',25 sides and the ice particle collecting device to further enhance the cool environment within the ice fracturing unit to ensure that the integrity of the formed ice particle is maintained and thereby ensuring that work can be performed on the surface against which the ice particles are blasted.
,. i.
..
In accordance with this invention, a swirl flow of cool air is developed in the ice particle collecting device, as indicated by arrows 32. In , ,- ~
` accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the .35 swirl flow is developed by opposing air stream nozzles ~;.5 r.~
;
. '': .. " .
2121 2~8 34 and 36 which are located beneath the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The nozzles are positioned in an ~-~ offset manner whereby the air streams travel circumferentially of the collecting device in the same ::' swirl direction as indicated by arrows 32. In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, the swirl flow is directed downwardly of the ice particle collector by virtue of the make-up air - traveling downwardly through the collector device 26 and into the hose of reduced pressure. The swirl flow in the ice particles as developed by the opposing air nozzles 34 and 36 causes the particles to travel downwardly of the collector 26 in a spiral-like manner.
., ~i In accordance with the embodiments shown, the collector device 26 may have a lower portion 38 which converges to a restricted portion 40 so as to be coupled ` to an ice particle delivery hose 28. It is understood ~; that the collector device may be of various configurations where, depending upon its configuration, the velocity of the air and the orientation of the nozzles 34 and 36 are selected so as to develop the desired extent of the swirl motion to transport the ice particles as they drop from the ice fracturing rollers c~ away from the ice fracturing rollers. By developing a ~ 25 sufficient swirl motion beneath the rollers, the ice `` particles, including any finer ice particles, are immediately swept up within the developed swirl flow and not allowed to deposit on the interior surfaces of the collector device, hence, build up of ice particles ~ 30 beneath the fracturing rollers is avoided. This is ; particularly important with a continuous operation where a build up of ice particles beneath the fracturing rollers could eventually close off passage through the collector device and, hence, block the flow of ice particles through the delivery hose 28.
`'.
.` -Cooling for the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 may be required. This cooling can be accomplished by ` directing cooling air through nozzle 42 at the nip reqion 16 of the roller 18 and 20. The nozzle 42 is directed downwardly so as to cool the rollers - essentially along the entire nip region of the rollers, as indicated by the direction of arrow 44. Additional cooling for the rollers 18 and 20 may also be provided ` in the housing through hoses 46 and 48 which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, develop pressure behind the insulating filling block or material 50 for roller 1g and manages to travel downwardly between the aluminum support 52 for the filler block and the housing 22 through a channel ` 15 54. Channel 54 is in communication with a channel 56 ; which is between the base support 58 for the insulation r~ and the housing, further details of which are shown in ,:, ~-~ Figure 2. This flow of air emerges from beneath the -~
- rollers 18 and 20 to further assist in the removal of ice particles from beneath the respective ice fracturing roller.
` The delivery chute 12 directs the ice flakes ~; .
and sheets in the direction of arrow 14 into the nip region 16 so as to be fractured by the counter-rotating rollers 18 and 20. The counter-rotating rollers rotate in the direction of arrows 60 and 62. The ice " fracturing rollers have opposing teeth as shown in more detail in Figure 3 which intermesh and function to fracture rather than crush the ice sheets into the desired particle size. The freshly formed ice particles fall downwardly away from the counter-rotating rollers 18 and 20 in the direction of arrow 64 where in , . . .
accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, are first met with laterally flowing air ' 35 streams in the direction of arrows 66 and 68. Those , ''.';
'~
" ~ :: " ~ , , ,, ",, "" ", ~,,,, ,, ";;,,", 21212~8 lateral streams of air are supplied by the hoses 46 and 48. The channel 54 between the aluminum support 52 and the side wall 70 sf the housing is shown. The hose 46 passes through the housing side walls 70 and is secured -~ 5 in the side wall at 72 and sealed thereto so that all air entering through the hose 46 is directed into the channel 54. The channel 54 is sealed at its upper end 74 and its back end 75 so that all air travels -downwardly of the channel 54 into the lower channel 56 . 10 beneath the lower filler block support 58 and the top -'~wall 76 of the collector 26.
Similarly, hose 48 leads into channel 78 which is sealed at its upper region 80 and its back end 81.
The air travels downwardly of channel 78 into lower 15 channel 80 and flows outwardly in the direction of arrow '.68. The flow of air in directions of arrows 66 and 68 wmaintain the lower supports 58 and 82 in a cool state.
,`.,The tip portions 84 and 86 of the filler block supports 58 and 82 include cleaning devices which fit within the 20 roller teeth to remove any ice particles which may stick to the rollers to ensure that the rollers are clean to ,receive fresh ice sheets and flakes in the nip region 16. The flow of air emerging from the channels and in ;~.the direction of arrows 66 and 68 ensure that ice 25 particles removed from the rollers at regions 88 and 90 are directed towards the mainstream of particles flowing ~'in the direction of arrow 64.
-~,The mainstream of particles enters the swirl c~region 92 as developed by the opposing nozzles 34 and .~-.30 36. Air is introduced within the collector 26 at a sufficient pressure and velocity to suspend and ~;~'transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers 60 and 63. The downward component in the swirl flow of the particles is, in .
: .
---` 21212~8 `; -accordance with this embodiment, induced by a low or sub-atmospheric pressure developed within the ice particle delivery hose 28. As already mentioned, make up air is normally introduced above the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 so that it travels downwardly between the ice fracturing rollers and encounters the swirl flow of ice particles. By virtue of the flow of the air in a downward direction through the collector 26 and as well due to the forces of gravity on the ice particles, the swirl flow of particles translates into a downwardly directed spiral of particles, as indicated by the helically directed arrows 32.
~.
!~: The collector 26, as shown in Figure 2, has an ~`i upper rectangular shaped portion 94 which is defined by spaced apart edges 96 and 98. Edges 96 and 98 extend across the length of the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 where their width is at least equal to the spacing between the regions 88 and 90 where the cleaning devices ' 84 and 86 remove ice particles from the ice fracturing rollers. This upper rectangular region of the collector 26 then merges into a somewhat conical region 38 which converges to a reduced bottom 40. A suitable clamp 100 is used to connect the end 102 of the hose 28 to the reduced neck portion 40 of the collector device 26. It ~;~ 25 is appreciated that a variety of materials and !'~`, manufacturing techniques may be employed to form the chute 12, tile housing 22 and the collector 26. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the ~`:. invention, these elements of the ice fracturing unit are ~'~ 30 formed of a moldable polyurethane which has a smooth ` inner surface 104, such as for the converging portion 38. As shown in Figure 2, the sections 12, 22, 26 and 38 may be integrally molded and formed whereas, as will ~ ~, ; be discussed with respect to Figure 3, an end wall of .. ;, .
;.. ~ 35 the housing 22 is removable to allow servicing and ,:, ~ . .
~ ':
~ ~` 21212~8 access to the interior of the housing 22. Hence, the seam in region 24 connects the chute 12 to the housing ~` 22 and seam in the region of 106 connects the top walls of collector device 26 to the housing 22. The polyurethane materials are preferred not only by virtue of their forming smooth inner surface for delivery of ice sheets and flakes to the ice fracturing rollers, but as well for transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers and also for its property of having a low coefficient of heat transfer to insulate `~ the temperature of the ice particles from the ambient .
- exterior of the ice fracturing unit.
, ., - The spiral flow of the ice particles, as ;~ induced beneath the ice fracturing rollers is very effective in removing ice particles from beneath the - rollers to ensure that build up of ice particles in the ~` collector and particularly beneath the rollers is kept to an absolute minimum or totally avoided. This is ~ particularly beneficial for a continuous operation. As i-~ 20 discussed in applicant's co-pending application, the overall system of providing ice particles only as needed ~;~' avoids any accumulation or inventory of ice in the system. With this additional benefit of a spiral swirl, transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers, a very reliable consistently performing ice fracturing unit over extended period of operation in terms of days or weeks, is provided.
-The housing 22 is shown in more detail for the ;~ ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The opposing side walls 70 and 108 of the housing have the nozzles or hoses 46 and 48 extending therethrough to direct air into the respective channels 54 and 78. The insulative ~- filler block material at 110 and 112 is supported on the respective supports 52 and 114. The insulation 110 and ~i :
':, `
21212~8 112 as supported on the respective aluminum supports serves to minimize heat transfer from the ambient through the housing into the respective ice fracturing roller 18 or 20. The housing end wall 116 is spaced from aluminum roller end plate 53. End plate 53 has bearings 118 and 120 provided therein through which the respective axle 122 and 124 of the rollers 18 and 20 are mounted. The end plate 53 includes sheets of high density polymeric material 113 secured to its face, against which the ends 19 and 21 of the rollers abut.
The polymer sheets avoids direct wear contact between the rollers and the end support plate. Similar material 115 is provided on the oppositP end plate 126. It is appreciated that the filler blocks 110 and 112 may be formed of the same high density polymeric material. By virtue of the end wall 116 being an integral part of the housing 22, its insulating value may be kept to a maximum to reduce the transfer of heat from the ambient to the ice fracturing rollers.
i 20 The opposite end 126 of the housing is removable from the housing by release of the respective bolts 128. The axles 130 and 132 of the rollers 18 and 20 extend through bearings 134 and 136 in the end wall plate 126. A drive gear 138 is keyed to the motor shaft 140 of drive motor 142. Drive gear 138 is in turn meshed with drive gear 144 which is keyed to shaft 130 of roller 18. The gears are keyed to the shafts 130 and 132 in a manner to ensure that the opposing ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 are properly meshed so that at all times during rotation of the motor 142 the meshed synchronized relationship of the ice fracturing rollers is retained.
To facilitate servicing and repair of the rollers 18 and 20 by removal of the bolts 128, the - 2~212~8 ~ ICE 0105 PCA -15--`~ entire end plate with rollers can be removed in the direction of arrows 146. Due to the removable nature of the end plate 126, its insulating value is not as high as the housing wall 116 spaced from the support end S plate 53. Hence, cool air is introduced through hoses ~ 46 and 4~ and is directed through the channel 54 and 78 - in a region close to end plate 126. Channels 54 and 78 act as plenums to direct the cool air through the lower channels 56 and 80 to supply the air beneath the ` 10 cleaning devices 84 and 86 in the direction of arrows 66 ` and 68. In this manner, not only is there the benefit ~` of supplying air to ensure removal of any ice particles from regions 88 and 90 where the cleaning devices remove ice particles from the rollers but as well ensure that proper cooling of the rollers, particularly closer to the removable panel of the housing is provided.
J, :
The cooling air as provided in the nip region 16 of the counter-rotating rollers through nozzle 42 is - ~ normally provided only when the ice maker is stopped and it is necessary to maintain the rollers in a cool -~ condition for immediate start up. As to the air - delivered through the swirl nozzles 34 and 36, that air may be shut off when the ice fracturing rollers cease rotating. The air would immediately be reintroduced to -~ 25 the system to commence a swirl flow transport of the ~ particles as soon as the ice fracturing rollers resume '~ rotation. These aspects in the control of air flows ;~.
`~ can, of course, be controlled with any suitable ; controller.
Although preferred embodiments of the -~ invention are described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations ~ may be made thereto without departin~ from the spirit of - the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
.~ :
'',`
:
~Y8TEN FOR ICE FR~CTURING SY8TEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
':
- This invention relates to an ice blast : 5 particle transport system for use in an apparatus for blasting freshly formed ice particles to perform work on . the substrate surface.
BACKGROUND ART
~ Particle blasting has been employed for some Lr~ 10 time to remove material from surface structures. Sand blasting and other types of grit blasting have been used to remove surface finishes from building exteriors, vehicle surfaces, mechanical parts and the like. Sand or grit blasting, however, requires expensive recovery .. ;~ 15 systems to reduce poliution and other environmental hazards. Water can be used in conjunction with the grit ~ ;
blasting procedure to reduce particle losses and consequent harm to the environment.
c~ Although grit blasting is very effective in 1 treating building and vehicle surfaces, great care has to be exercised in treating more sensitive surfaces such as airplane skin which cannot be abraded during the ~`1 surface treatment process.
:
~i~ The blasting of ice particles resolves a ~¦ 25 number of the above problems so that several attempts have been made in-providing commercially viable ice blasting equipment. It is appreciated that the blasting :~, of ice particles provides significantly less ~t - environmental harm because subsequent to impact the ice 1 30 particles melt hence assisting in the removal and ''' :
. . .
disposal of removed material. As a result, there is a considerable reduction in dust contributed to the environment. Due to the nature of ice particles, there are several problems associated with blasting the ice ; 5 particles to achieve sufficient work on the surface to be treated. By their nature, ice particles are not free-flowing. Normally, to provide an accumulation of ice particles during machine shut-down and the like, an inventory of ice particles is accommodated by various `-; lO mechanical devices interposed between the ice making system and the blast nozzle. Howevex, this results in ~ the ice particles packing and causing plugging problems i in the system at various points in the intervening mechanical devices. The variety of mechanical devices is normally employed in developing and transporting the ice particles are rotors, augers, classifiers, cyclone separators, metering devices, overflow receivers, surge tanks and the like. All of these components are provided in an attempt to manage the problems associated with ice packing in the system due to the development of ice accumulation. But, by virtue of the provision of - the various components, their own interaction can inadvertently result in packing of ice particles at -~ various points in the processing system. Furthermore, the operation of these mechanical components has to be precisely controlled with special precautions to attempt to avoid ice packing in their components and also avoid ~ system clogging. As is appreciated, these problems can `~ be further magnified when ice blast systems are required to operate at distances some 20 to 50 meters from the ice-forming equipment.
. ~
U.S. Patent 4,703,5sO discloses a particle molding apparatus suitable for molding ice particles for -~ blasting purposes. As the ice particles are formed, -~ 35 they are collected in a reservoir at the base of the "
~, 2121268 molding machine. As the blast system is operated, particles are sucked from the reservoir in the molding apparatus and transported to the nozzle for purposes of doing work. However, it has been found that the inventory of ice particles within the reservoir of the ice particle making device still causes ice packing and subsequent system clogging, particularly during intermittent blasting operations.
.`~ .
Another system which provides for the delivery 10 of ice particles to the blast nozzle is disclosed in U.K. Patent Application 2,171,624. The ice particles are delivered in segments to a venturi restriction for pick up by the high speed air. However, when blasting ceases, the ice particles tend to clog up and pack in 15 their segment portions, resulting in further down time of the system until the clogging is dislocated.
.~ !
Y An attempt to overcome these problems is disclosed in PCT International Publication Nos.
~i' WO90/14927 and WO91/04449. The systems which are `, 20 disclosed in these applications provide for the ``` development of ice, ice crushing, particle sizing, cyclone separation, fluidization and delivery of ice particles to the blast nozzle. As already mentioned, such systems require very precise control and, by virtue 25 of the number of interactive components, defeated the - objective in attempting to deal with the accumulation of ice particles and by their nature, packing in the system ;~ and causing clogging with consequent significant down time.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus overcomes the above problems by delivering the '~' -~.....
---` 21212~8 ice particles on an as needed basis. This has been ~;~ achieved by supplying in real time and on demand, the ice particles required at the blast nozzle. The freshly formed ice particles are immediately delivered to the ; 5 blast nozzle at the mass flow-rate at which they are created. Undesirable accumulation or inventory of the ice particles in the system is avoided. Furthermore, the present invention provides an ice particle transport - system for transporting ice particles away from the fracturing system to avoid build up of ice particles in - areas beneath the fracturing rollers.
., .
According to an aspect of the invention, in an - ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice particles to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus, the fracturing unit having:
i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers, ii) means for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly into a nip region of the ice fracturing `";~ rollers;
.
20iii) means for collecting freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the collecting means having a ; converging portion which directs ice particles ~- downwardly into the delivery hose, coupled to an outlet of said delivery hose;
iv) a housing for the ice fracturing rollers, the improvement comprising:
-~ v) means for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath the ice fracturing rollers, the swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath - the ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers; and vi) means for inducing the swirl flow of ice particles to travel downwardly in a spiral-like manner ~ .:
~ , ~, ~
,.
~ ` 2~2~2~8 :; ~
ICE 010S PCA -5- ~ -through said converging portion and into the delivery hose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
. . .
Preferred embodiments of the invention are ~ 5 shown in the drawings wherein: -- Figure 1 is a perspective of the ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus.
~ Figure 2 is a section through the ice ,. 10 fracturing unit of Figure 1.
.. .~ . . ~ . .
Figure 3 is a section through the counter~
rotating ice fracturing rollers of the system of Figure . 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The ice fracturing unit in accordance with various aspects of this invention may be used with a variety of mobile or stationary ice blasting systems.
The ice fracturing unit is sufficiently compact for use in a production line so as to treat on a continuous or ~ 20 intermittent basis, adjacent conveyed articles. In y'~i production line setups, it may be necessary that the ice fracturing unit be operated 24 hours of the day for up to 6 days or more with little if any shut down or service time. Although the ice fracturing unit of this invention has the capability to supply on an as needed ` basis freshly fractured ice particles to avoid any accumulation or inventory of ice particles in the system, it has been found that the ice fracturing unit of this invention is capable of operating on a .
:, :
:.
~. .
~,, continuous basis for several days or weeks without the need for service or repair.
It is understood that the ice fracturing unit, in accordance with the preferred embodiments shown in Figure 1, is best used in fracturing ice flakes and sheets as supplied by an ice sheet or flake forming unit that forms ice on a refrigerated drum prior to removal of the ice from the drum as particles or flakes that are ~, used in the blasting as is hereinafter more fully ~ 10 described. To facilitate an understanding of the ;~c operation of the ice fracturing unit of this invention, the following discussion of the ice maker is provided.
. .
The refrigerated drum is rotated about an axis with the lower portion of the drum immersed in a water ` 15 bath. The chilled drum is rotated with its surface approaching a doctor blade. As the drum rotates, a thin ~; film of water is picked up on the surface of the drum.
Due to the continuous chilling of the drum by refrigerant, the sheet of water commences to freeze and is essentially frozen by ths time the sheet reaches the upper circumferential position of the drum. The doctor blade is mounted on an angle with respect to the surface of the drum and lifts the freshly formed sheet of ice from the drum. In so lifting the sheet of ice from the drum, the sheet, in its entire expanse of the width of the drum, is broken up into smaller sheets or flakes.
~ The smaller sheets or flakes then fall downwardly ; through an appropriate chute or the like and are ; directed at the ice fracturing unit. The ice making device only produces ice sheet when ice particles are ` required at the blast nozzle of the ice blasting system, otherwise through appropriate control devices, the ice maker is stopped so that ice no longer forms on the drum `:
., ':
:, `: - 21212~ :
and any ice which is removed from the drum falls immediately into the ice fracturing unit.
It is understood that various types of ice blast nozzles may be used which are connected to the ice ~
5 delivery hose. ~ ;
The improvement provided by this invention -~
~, -~ with respect to the operation of an ice blast system is to provide for the transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing unit. The ice particles are transported in a manner to minimize or completely avoid build up of ice particles beneath the ice fracturing rollers particularly the very fine ice particles of less ~; than 1 mm in all dimensions which are a byproduct in the ~' ice fracturing process. The approach in accordance with this invention in providing for the transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers particularly facilitates continuous operation of the system. It is appreciated that over extended periods of operation in terms of days or weeks even a very slow build up of ice particles beneath the ice fracturing unit is to be avoided which is now provided for in accordance with this invention. With rsfer~nce to Figure 1, the ice fracturing unit 10 has a chute 12 or other like device for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly in the direction of arrow 14 toward the nip region 16 of the counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The ice fracturing rollers are housed within a housing 22 where, in accordance with this embodiment, ~, the chute 12 is intesrally formed with the housing 22 and connected in region 24 about the noted seam. This region of interconnection functions as a means for connecting the chute 12 to the housing.
~.
~-~, . .. . . . .
212~26~
ICE 0105 PCA -~-Beneath the housing 22, and in turn beneath the ice fracturing rollers 18 and ~0, is an ice particle ; collecting device 26 for co:Llecting freshly fractured ice particles and directing them downwardly into an ice particle delivery hose 28. The ice particle delivery hose 28 is connected to a blast nozzle. High pressure air as supplied through a separate hose (not shown) ; delivers warm high pressure air to a blast nozzle. The - blast nozzle normally includes a venturi arrangement ` 10 where the high pressure high velocity air develops in turn a sub-atmospheric pressure or a relative low pressure in the ice particle delivery hose 28 so that the ice particles are transported along the hose in the direction of arrow 30. Some makeup air is normally supplied in the region of the ice maker above the ice fracturing unit so that the relative low pressure ~ developed in the hose 28 which is communicated through ; to the chute 12 which is part of a closed system, is -~equalized by the cool make up air introduced to the system. This, in turn, ensures that surfaces within the ice fracturing system are maintained at a cool temperature as well as will be discussed with respect to various embodiments of this invention, additional cool make-up air is directed into the nip region, the roller t',25 sides and the ice particle collecting device to further enhance the cool environment within the ice fracturing unit to ensure that the integrity of the formed ice particle is maintained and thereby ensuring that work can be performed on the surface against which the ice particles are blasted.
,. i.
..
In accordance with this invention, a swirl flow of cool air is developed in the ice particle collecting device, as indicated by arrows 32. In , ,- ~
` accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the .35 swirl flow is developed by opposing air stream nozzles ~;.5 r.~
;
. '': .. " .
2121 2~8 34 and 36 which are located beneath the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The nozzles are positioned in an ~-~ offset manner whereby the air streams travel circumferentially of the collecting device in the same ::' swirl direction as indicated by arrows 32. In accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, the swirl flow is directed downwardly of the ice particle collector by virtue of the make-up air - traveling downwardly through the collector device 26 and into the hose of reduced pressure. The swirl flow in the ice particles as developed by the opposing air nozzles 34 and 36 causes the particles to travel downwardly of the collector 26 in a spiral-like manner.
., ~i In accordance with the embodiments shown, the collector device 26 may have a lower portion 38 which converges to a restricted portion 40 so as to be coupled ` to an ice particle delivery hose 28. It is understood ~; that the collector device may be of various configurations where, depending upon its configuration, the velocity of the air and the orientation of the nozzles 34 and 36 are selected so as to develop the desired extent of the swirl motion to transport the ice particles as they drop from the ice fracturing rollers c~ away from the ice fracturing rollers. By developing a ~ 25 sufficient swirl motion beneath the rollers, the ice `` particles, including any finer ice particles, are immediately swept up within the developed swirl flow and not allowed to deposit on the interior surfaces of the collector device, hence, build up of ice particles ~ 30 beneath the fracturing rollers is avoided. This is ; particularly important with a continuous operation where a build up of ice particles beneath the fracturing rollers could eventually close off passage through the collector device and, hence, block the flow of ice particles through the delivery hose 28.
`'.
.` -Cooling for the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 may be required. This cooling can be accomplished by ` directing cooling air through nozzle 42 at the nip reqion 16 of the roller 18 and 20. The nozzle 42 is directed downwardly so as to cool the rollers - essentially along the entire nip region of the rollers, as indicated by the direction of arrow 44. Additional cooling for the rollers 18 and 20 may also be provided ` in the housing through hoses 46 and 48 which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, develop pressure behind the insulating filling block or material 50 for roller 1g and manages to travel downwardly between the aluminum support 52 for the filler block and the housing 22 through a channel ` 15 54. Channel 54 is in communication with a channel 56 ; which is between the base support 58 for the insulation r~ and the housing, further details of which are shown in ,:, ~-~ Figure 2. This flow of air emerges from beneath the -~
- rollers 18 and 20 to further assist in the removal of ice particles from beneath the respective ice fracturing roller.
` The delivery chute 12 directs the ice flakes ~; .
and sheets in the direction of arrow 14 into the nip region 16 so as to be fractured by the counter-rotating rollers 18 and 20. The counter-rotating rollers rotate in the direction of arrows 60 and 62. The ice " fracturing rollers have opposing teeth as shown in more detail in Figure 3 which intermesh and function to fracture rather than crush the ice sheets into the desired particle size. The freshly formed ice particles fall downwardly away from the counter-rotating rollers 18 and 20 in the direction of arrow 64 where in , . . .
accordance with this particular embodiment of the invention, are first met with laterally flowing air ' 35 streams in the direction of arrows 66 and 68. Those , ''.';
'~
" ~ :: " ~ , , ,, ",, "" ", ~,,,, ,, ";;,,", 21212~8 lateral streams of air are supplied by the hoses 46 and 48. The channel 54 between the aluminum support 52 and the side wall 70 sf the housing is shown. The hose 46 passes through the housing side walls 70 and is secured -~ 5 in the side wall at 72 and sealed thereto so that all air entering through the hose 46 is directed into the channel 54. The channel 54 is sealed at its upper end 74 and its back end 75 so that all air travels -downwardly of the channel 54 into the lower channel 56 . 10 beneath the lower filler block support 58 and the top -'~wall 76 of the collector 26.
Similarly, hose 48 leads into channel 78 which is sealed at its upper region 80 and its back end 81.
The air travels downwardly of channel 78 into lower 15 channel 80 and flows outwardly in the direction of arrow '.68. The flow of air in directions of arrows 66 and 68 wmaintain the lower supports 58 and 82 in a cool state.
,`.,The tip portions 84 and 86 of the filler block supports 58 and 82 include cleaning devices which fit within the 20 roller teeth to remove any ice particles which may stick to the rollers to ensure that the rollers are clean to ,receive fresh ice sheets and flakes in the nip region 16. The flow of air emerging from the channels and in ;~.the direction of arrows 66 and 68 ensure that ice 25 particles removed from the rollers at regions 88 and 90 are directed towards the mainstream of particles flowing ~'in the direction of arrow 64.
-~,The mainstream of particles enters the swirl c~region 92 as developed by the opposing nozzles 34 and .~-.30 36. Air is introduced within the collector 26 at a sufficient pressure and velocity to suspend and ~;~'transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from the ice fracturing rollers 60 and 63. The downward component in the swirl flow of the particles is, in .
: .
---` 21212~8 `; -accordance with this embodiment, induced by a low or sub-atmospheric pressure developed within the ice particle delivery hose 28. As already mentioned, make up air is normally introduced above the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 so that it travels downwardly between the ice fracturing rollers and encounters the swirl flow of ice particles. By virtue of the flow of the air in a downward direction through the collector 26 and as well due to the forces of gravity on the ice particles, the swirl flow of particles translates into a downwardly directed spiral of particles, as indicated by the helically directed arrows 32.
~.
!~: The collector 26, as shown in Figure 2, has an ~`i upper rectangular shaped portion 94 which is defined by spaced apart edges 96 and 98. Edges 96 and 98 extend across the length of the ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 where their width is at least equal to the spacing between the regions 88 and 90 where the cleaning devices ' 84 and 86 remove ice particles from the ice fracturing rollers. This upper rectangular region of the collector 26 then merges into a somewhat conical region 38 which converges to a reduced bottom 40. A suitable clamp 100 is used to connect the end 102 of the hose 28 to the reduced neck portion 40 of the collector device 26. It ~;~ 25 is appreciated that a variety of materials and !'~`, manufacturing techniques may be employed to form the chute 12, tile housing 22 and the collector 26. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the ~`:. invention, these elements of the ice fracturing unit are ~'~ 30 formed of a moldable polyurethane which has a smooth ` inner surface 104, such as for the converging portion 38. As shown in Figure 2, the sections 12, 22, 26 and 38 may be integrally molded and formed whereas, as will ~ ~, ; be discussed with respect to Figure 3, an end wall of .. ;, .
;.. ~ 35 the housing 22 is removable to allow servicing and ,:, ~ . .
~ ':
~ ~` 21212~8 access to the interior of the housing 22. Hence, the seam in region 24 connects the chute 12 to the housing ~` 22 and seam in the region of 106 connects the top walls of collector device 26 to the housing 22. The polyurethane materials are preferred not only by virtue of their forming smooth inner surface for delivery of ice sheets and flakes to the ice fracturing rollers, but as well for transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers and also for its property of having a low coefficient of heat transfer to insulate `~ the temperature of the ice particles from the ambient .
- exterior of the ice fracturing unit.
, ., - The spiral flow of the ice particles, as ;~ induced beneath the ice fracturing rollers is very effective in removing ice particles from beneath the - rollers to ensure that build up of ice particles in the ~` collector and particularly beneath the rollers is kept to an absolute minimum or totally avoided. This is ~ particularly beneficial for a continuous operation. As i-~ 20 discussed in applicant's co-pending application, the overall system of providing ice particles only as needed ~;~' avoids any accumulation or inventory of ice in the system. With this additional benefit of a spiral swirl, transport of the ice particles away from the ice fracturing rollers, a very reliable consistently performing ice fracturing unit over extended period of operation in terms of days or weeks, is provided.
-The housing 22 is shown in more detail for the ;~ ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20. The opposing side walls 70 and 108 of the housing have the nozzles or hoses 46 and 48 extending therethrough to direct air into the respective channels 54 and 78. The insulative ~- filler block material at 110 and 112 is supported on the respective supports 52 and 114. The insulation 110 and ~i :
':, `
21212~8 112 as supported on the respective aluminum supports serves to minimize heat transfer from the ambient through the housing into the respective ice fracturing roller 18 or 20. The housing end wall 116 is spaced from aluminum roller end plate 53. End plate 53 has bearings 118 and 120 provided therein through which the respective axle 122 and 124 of the rollers 18 and 20 are mounted. The end plate 53 includes sheets of high density polymeric material 113 secured to its face, against which the ends 19 and 21 of the rollers abut.
The polymer sheets avoids direct wear contact between the rollers and the end support plate. Similar material 115 is provided on the oppositP end plate 126. It is appreciated that the filler blocks 110 and 112 may be formed of the same high density polymeric material. By virtue of the end wall 116 being an integral part of the housing 22, its insulating value may be kept to a maximum to reduce the transfer of heat from the ambient to the ice fracturing rollers.
i 20 The opposite end 126 of the housing is removable from the housing by release of the respective bolts 128. The axles 130 and 132 of the rollers 18 and 20 extend through bearings 134 and 136 in the end wall plate 126. A drive gear 138 is keyed to the motor shaft 140 of drive motor 142. Drive gear 138 is in turn meshed with drive gear 144 which is keyed to shaft 130 of roller 18. The gears are keyed to the shafts 130 and 132 in a manner to ensure that the opposing ice fracturing rollers 18 and 20 are properly meshed so that at all times during rotation of the motor 142 the meshed synchronized relationship of the ice fracturing rollers is retained.
To facilitate servicing and repair of the rollers 18 and 20 by removal of the bolts 128, the - 2~212~8 ~ ICE 0105 PCA -15--`~ entire end plate with rollers can be removed in the direction of arrows 146. Due to the removable nature of the end plate 126, its insulating value is not as high as the housing wall 116 spaced from the support end S plate 53. Hence, cool air is introduced through hoses ~ 46 and 4~ and is directed through the channel 54 and 78 - in a region close to end plate 126. Channels 54 and 78 act as plenums to direct the cool air through the lower channels 56 and 80 to supply the air beneath the ` 10 cleaning devices 84 and 86 in the direction of arrows 66 ` and 68. In this manner, not only is there the benefit ~` of supplying air to ensure removal of any ice particles from regions 88 and 90 where the cleaning devices remove ice particles from the rollers but as well ensure that proper cooling of the rollers, particularly closer to the removable panel of the housing is provided.
J, :
The cooling air as provided in the nip region 16 of the counter-rotating rollers through nozzle 42 is - ~ normally provided only when the ice maker is stopped and it is necessary to maintain the rollers in a cool -~ condition for immediate start up. As to the air - delivered through the swirl nozzles 34 and 36, that air may be shut off when the ice fracturing rollers cease rotating. The air would immediately be reintroduced to -~ 25 the system to commence a swirl flow transport of the ~ particles as soon as the ice fracturing rollers resume '~ rotation. These aspects in the control of air flows ;~.
`~ can, of course, be controlled with any suitable ; controller.
Although preferred embodiments of the -~ invention are described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations ~ may be made thereto without departin~ from the spirit of - the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
.~ :
'',`
:
Claims (9)
1. In an ice fracturing unit for supplying fresh ice particles to a delivery hose for an ice blasting apparatus, said ice fracturing unit having:
i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers;
ii) means for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly into a nip region of said ice fracturing rollers;
iii) means for collecting freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath said ice fracturing rollers; said collecting means having a converging portion which directs ice particles downwardly into said delivery hose;
iv) a housing for said ice fracturing rollers; the improvement comprising:
v) means for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath said ice fracturing rollers, said swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath said ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from said ice fracturing rollers; and vi) means for inducing said swirl flow of ice particles to travel downwardly in a spiral-like manner through said converging portion and into said delivery hose.
i) counter-rotating ice fracturing rollers;
ii) means for directing ice sheets or flakes downwardly into a nip region of said ice fracturing rollers;
iii) means for collecting freshly fractured ice particles as they fall downwardly from beneath said ice fracturing rollers; said collecting means having a converging portion which directs ice particles downwardly into said delivery hose;
iv) a housing for said ice fracturing rollers; the improvement comprising:
v) means for developing a swirl flow of cool air beneath said ice fracturing rollers, said swirl flow development means directing air flow immediately beneath said ice fracturing rollers to suspend and transport ice particles in a swirl flow away from said ice fracturing rollers; and vi) means for inducing said swirl flow of ice particles to travel downwardly in a spiral-like manner through said converging portion and into said delivery hose.
2. This ice fracturing unit of Claim 1, wherein said means for developing said swirl flow of air comprises opposing air stream nozzles located beneath said ice fracturing rollers, said nozzles being positioned in an offset manner whereby the air streams travel circumferentially of said collecting means in the same swirl direction, and said means for inducing said spiral-like flow comprising means for developing a reduced pressure in said delivery hose to draw thereby said swirl flow of ice particles downwardly of said converging means.
3. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 2, wherein said air nozzles are positioned in a wall portion of said collecting means and are essentially flush with interior surface of said collection means.
4. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 2, further comprising means for removing ice particles from said ice fracturing rollers, said removal means being mounted beneath said ice fracturing roller by a mounting means, said mounting means spacing said removal means from said housing to define a narrow channel opening into said collection means, means for producing a flow of cool air through said channel whereby said swirl flow of air and said channel flow of air ensure transport of ice particles away from said ice fracturing rollers to minimize thereby build up of ice particles beneath said ice fracturing rollers.
5. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 4, further comprising means for directing cooling air into said nip region of said ice fracturing rollers to maintain said rollers in a cooled state.
6. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 2, wherein said converging portion of said collection means has an internal inverted conical shape.
7. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 2, wherein said collections means is formed of a moldable plastic having a low coefficient of heat transfer.
8. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 4, further comprising means for insulating outside portions of said ice fracturing rollers, means for mounting said insulating means, said insulation mounting means spacing said insulating means from the sidewall to define a gap between said mounting means and said housing side walls, said gap at each roller outside being in communication with said channel beneath the respective means for removing ice particles, said means for producing a flow of cool air through said channel comprising an air nozzle extending through each housing side wall and in communication with the respective gap.
9. The ice fracturing unit of Claim 8, wherein said housing has a removable end wall to permit removal of said ice fracturing rollers from within said housing, said air nozzle extending through each housing side wall being located near said removable end wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US4864893A | 1993-04-16 | 1993-04-16 | |
| US08/048,648 | 1993-04-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2121268A1 true CA2121268A1 (en) | 1994-10-17 |
Family
ID=21955681
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2121268 Abandoned CA2121268A1 (en) | 1993-04-16 | 1994-04-14 | Ice blast particle transport system for ice fracturing system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU6627794A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2121268A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994023896A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5623831A (en) * | 1995-05-10 | 1997-04-29 | Mesher; Terry | Fluidized particle production system and process |
| IT201800009796A1 (en) | 2018-10-25 | 2020-04-25 | Technoalpin Holding - Spa | Distribution terminal for an ice and / or snow transport duct and relative system |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19636305C1 (en) * | 1996-09-06 | 1998-03-12 | Linde Ag | Method for removal of coatings or linings from surfaces |
| CH694158A5 (en) * | 2000-07-17 | 2004-08-13 | Cold Clean S A R L | Blasting machine. |
| KR102142265B1 (en) | 2015-10-19 | 2020-08-10 | 콜드 제트 엘엘씨 | Blast media grinder |
| DE102020129723A1 (en) * | 2020-11-11 | 2022-05-12 | Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG | Device and method for producing CO2 pellets from CO2 snow and cleaning device |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3676963A (en) * | 1971-03-08 | 1972-07-18 | Chemotronics International Inc | Method for the removal of unwanted portions of an article |
| US4333612A (en) * | 1979-11-27 | 1982-06-08 | Kyoei Zoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for storage of ice |
| US4389820A (en) * | 1980-12-29 | 1983-06-28 | Lockheed Corporation | Blasting machine utilizing sublimable particles |
| GB8505429D0 (en) * | 1985-03-02 | 1985-04-03 | Kue Eng Ltd | Blast cleaning |
| DE3804694A1 (en) * | 1987-06-23 | 1989-01-05 | Taiyo Sanso Co Ltd | METHOD FOR SURFACE PROCESSING FOR SEMICONDUCTOR WAFERS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
| US5063015A (en) * | 1989-03-13 | 1991-11-05 | Cold Jet, Inc. | Method for deflashing articles |
-
1994
- 1994-04-07 WO PCT/US1994/003807 patent/WO1994023896A1/en active Application Filing
- 1994-04-07 AU AU66277/94A patent/AU6627794A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-04-14 CA CA 2121268 patent/CA2121268A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5623831A (en) * | 1995-05-10 | 1997-04-29 | Mesher; Terry | Fluidized particle production system and process |
| IT201800009796A1 (en) | 2018-10-25 | 2020-04-25 | Technoalpin Holding - Spa | Distribution terminal for an ice and / or snow transport duct and relative system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU6627794A (en) | 1994-11-08 |
| WO1994023896A1 (en) | 1994-10-27 |
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