WO2009076584A2

WO2009076584A2 - Pivoting hopper for particle blast apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009076584A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/086534
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael E. Rivir
Original assignee: Cold Jet, Llc
Priority date: 2007-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2009-06-18
Also published as: WO2009076584A3; US20090156102A1

Abstract

A particle blast apparatus has a pivoting hopper, allowing the hopper exit to move from or between a first position at which the exit is aligned with the feeder entrance to a second position where the hopper exit is not aligned as such. The hopper may emptied or cleared in this manner. The hopper may be provided with a device configured to impart energy to the hopper while the hopper exit is located at the second position.

Description

PIVOTING HOPPER FOR PARTICLE BLAST APPARATUS

Michael E. Rivir Technical Field

(oooii The present invention relates generally to particle blast system, and is particularly directed to a particle blast apparatus comprising a pivoting hopper and to a method of operating a particle blast apparatus which comprises a hopper wherein the hopper exit is moveable between two positions.

Background

(0002] Particle blasting systems have been around for several decades. Typically, particles, also known as blast media, are fed into a transport gas flow and transported as entrained particles to a blast nozzle, from which the particles exit, being directed toward a workpiece or other target, ft is not unknown for the particles to clump or stick together, impeding the deliver) of particles into the transport gas llou .

1000JI Such compaction and agglomeration of particles is particularly a problem when the blast media is cryogenic particles, such as in carbon dioxide blasting. Although still a relatively young industry , carbon dioxide blasting systems are well known in the industry, and along with various associated component parts, are shown in U.S. Patents 4,744, 181 , 4,843.770, 4,947,592, 5,050,805, 5,018.667. 5, 109,636, 5,188, 151 , 5,301 ,509, 5,571,335, 5,301 ,509, 5,473,903, 5,660,580, 5,795,214, 6,524, 172 and 6,726,549 all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Although the present invention will be described herein in connection w ith a particle feeder for use with carbon dioxide blasting, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited in use or application to carbon dioxide blasting. I^'he teachings of the present inv ention may be used in application in which there can be compaction or agglomeration of any K pe of particle blast media.

|0O04| (ieneralh , the blast media particles, such as carbon dioxide particles, are transported from a hopper, which holds the suppK of particles, into a transport gas. I^'he particles may be introduced into the transport gas \ eniuri or other vacuum effect, or a feeder. Various feeder designs exist, functioning to transport the particles from the hopper exit into the transport gas, such as by the radial transport feeder shown in USP 4,947,592. Hoppers may receive particles from any source, such as a pelletizer that is part of the blast system, or a source separate from the blast system and loaded into the hopper. Practice of the present inventions is not limited to a particular type of feeder.

|0005| For a variety of reasons, particles may need to be cleared from the hopper from time to time, such as to clear clogs in the hopper or to dispose of unused or unwanted particles without directing them through feeder and ultimately the blast hose. USP ' 172 discloses and claims a hopper that is moveable from a first position at which the hopper exit is generally aligned with the inlet of a feeder to a second position at which the hopper exit is not aligned with the feeder inlet. The ' 172 patent discloses that the hopper may be pivoted or moved by translational motion, such as by a parallel rotating framework.

(0006| The present invention provides a particle blast apparatus with a unique structure for a pivoting hopper, and a method of operating the apparatus.

Brief Description of the Draw ings

[0007| The accompanying draw ings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description oi the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below , serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

(0008) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a particle blast apparatus embodying the teachings of the present invention.

(0009| FlG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective v iew of the discharge area of the apparatus of FlG. 1

fooioi ITCi. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the discharge area of the apparatus of FlG. 1 with the door omitted.

|ooi i | FIG. 4 is fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , w ith the outer skin omitted. [ooi2| FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , showing the hopper exit and the feeder inlet, and the discharge area in partial cross section.

[00l3| FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , illustrating the hopper pivoted to a hopper discharge position.

[OO14| FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. I, illustrating the hopper pivoted to the hopper discharge position, showing the hopper exit and feeder inlet, and the discharge area.

[0015J FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 , with the hopper and most of the skin omitted.

[00i6| FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FfCr. 1.

10018] FlG. 1 1 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the support members of the apparatus of FfG. 1 .

|00i9| Reference w ill now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

|0020] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as front, back, inside, outside, and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations. Referring in more detail to the drawings, an embodiment of the invention will now be described.

|00211 Referring to FIGS. 1 . particle blasting apparatus is generally indicated at 2

Apparatus 2 includes pivoting cover 4 which overlies the charging area of hopper 6 (see FIG. 4 ), which in the embodiment depicted is attached to hopper 6 by hinge 8. Apparatus 2 includes discharge area generally indicated at 10, through which particles being cleared from hopper 6 may be discharged. Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the embodiment depicted, discharge area 10 may include door 12 (omitted from FlG 3 for clarity), which may, as shown, be hinged at the top and may be biased toward the closed or vertical position.

(0O22| Apparatus 2 may include devices to impart mechanical energy to hopper 6 to cause vibrations in hopper 6, although the pivoting hopper configuration of the present invention is not limited to use with any such energy imparting devices. FIG. 4 depicts two energy imparting devices carried by hopper 6. Impulse assembly 14, such as described in USP 6,726,549, shown carried by hopper 6, is, in the embodiment depicted, configured to selectively impart impulse energy to hopper 6 at intervals, during blasting operations or during clearing discharges (as will be described below). While actuated, assembly 14 provides impulse energy to hopper 6. The intervals ma> be of any length, w hether identical, varying or even random. The amount of energy delivered by assembly 14 may be constant or varied. Continuous energy assembly 16, such as described in USP 6,726.549, shown carried by hopper 6. is, in the embodiment depicted, configured to selectively impart continuous energy to hopper 6 during blasting operations or during clearing discharges (as will be described below). While actuated, assembly 16 provides continuous energy to hopper 6 at energy at energy levels, frequencies ( continuous or variable) and duty cy cles as may be suitable. Although it is desirable lor hopper 6 to carry assemblies 14 and 16 directly, assemblies 14 and 16 may be mounted elsewhere while still configured to deliver energy to hopper 6.

|0023] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. hopper 6 includes at its lower hopper exit 18, from which particles are discharged. Kxit 18 is show n aligned with entrance 20 of feeder assembly 22. with seal 24 disposed therebetween, seating against feeder assembly 22 adjacent entrance 20. Seal 24 may be of any suitable configuration, such as is in USP 6,726,549. During blasting operations, exit 1 8 is disposed at a first position, such as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, at which hopper exit 18 is generally aligned with entrance 20 so as to deliver particles directly to feeder assembly 22. or indirectly in the event of additional structure between hopper exit 1 8 and entrance 20, for entrainment in the transport gas How . [0024] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, hopper 6 is moveable from its supply operation position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to a second position at which hopper exit 18 is not aligned with feeder entrance 20. At the second position, hopper 6 may be emptied or cleared. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, door 12 has been pivoted outwardly by the lower end of hopper 6, in particular in the embodiment depicted, by part of the assembly of seal 24. Wear pad 26 may be disposed inside of door 12 in a position to be engaged by the seal assembly, or alternatively by any suitable structure configured to engage and rotate door 12 outwardly. At the position illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, exit 18 is disposed such that particles within hopper 6 may be discharged outside of apparatus 2. Discharge area 10 may be, as seen in the embodiment depicted, configured as a chute such that particles are guided outside of apparatus 2. Chute may be formed by suitably shaped panels 28, secured in any suitable manner, such as by fasteners 30. Fasteners 30 could also be configured to be flush or nearly flush to panel 28 to present a flat profile.

(0025J As hopper 6 is pivoted from the first position to the second position, seal 24 disengages feeder 22. As will be described below, the pivot axis of hopper 6 is preferably located relative to exit 18 and feeder 22 suc h that the movement of exit 18 is away from feeder 22. Such an orientation results in lateial translation of seal 24 as it slides along upper surface 22a, and a reduction in the force biasing seal 24 against upper surface 22a as springs 24a extend, until such time as the rotation of hopper 6 produces complete disengagement of seal 24 from upper surface 22a. This configuration avoids increasing the force between seal 24 and upper surface 22a during rotation. It should be noted that although believed to be undesirable, the pivot axis of hopper 6 could be disposed such that such force between seal 24 and upper surface 22a does increase if the force preferabl) does not reach a level that results in premature failure of any components.

Iϋϋ26| FlG. 8 illustrates the piv otable mechanism configured to allow hopper 6 to be selective!) pivoted. Particle blast apparatus 2 includes main frame 32 which supports pivotable subrrame 34. Referring also to ITGS. 9 and 10, sub frame 34 comprises spaced apart support members 36a and 36b, disposed on opposite sides of hopper 6, with member 36c extending between proximal ends of support members 36a and 36b Subframe 34 includes arms 38a and

38b depending downwardly from support members 36a and 36b. respectively. Piv ots 40a and 40b extend outwardly from support members 36a and 36b, respectively. Stops 42a and 42b extend downwardly from respective brackets 44a and 44b mounted to subframe 34 as shown. As shown in the embodiment depicted, stops 42a and 42b may be configured to be adjustable, such as by external threads on stops 42a and 42b engaging internal threads formed in brackets 44a and 44b. The distal ends of stops 42a and 42b may comprise a wear resistant and/or resilient material. As shown in the embodiment depicted, plates 46a and 46b may be secured to main frame 32 in any suitable manner, aligned with stops 42a and 42b such that main frame 32 is not worn by pivoting hopper 6.

[0027| In the depicted embodiment, pivots are depicted as pins 40a and 40b which are respectively rotatably received by complementarily shaped openings 48a and 48b of bearing blocks 50a and 50b, respectively. Bearing blocks 50a and 50b may be made of any suitable material, such as HDPF, and secured to main frame 32 in any suitable manner, such as by threaded fastener. Hach bearing block 50a. 50b may include one or more additional openings shaped complementary to pivot pins 40a and 40b so that in the event openings 48a and/or 48b become excessively worn, either bearing block 50a or 50b may be reoriented such that openings 52a and/or 52b receiv e pivot pin pivot pin 40a and/or 40b. 1 his avoids having to order and replace bearing block 50a or 50b once the first used pivot pin opening wears out.

(0028| Hach support member 36a and 36b and main frame 32 ma> respectively be configured to locale subframe 34 lateralh iclative to main frame 32. An\ suitable configuration may be used. Referring to FlG. 1 1 , support member 36a in the embodiment depicted comprises laterally extending bracket 54a with a longitudinally extending opening or slot 56a. (Although support member 36b is not seen in FIG. 1 1 , its configuration is a mirror image of support member 36a and bracket 54a.) Referring also to FlG. 10, main frame 32 includes upwardly extending members 58a and 58b. Slot 56a receives pin 58a so as to limit lateral mov ement and locate hopper lateralh

|0029| Referring to I KiS. 10 and 1 1 , hopper 6 is carried by but isolated from subframe 34 in a manner that minimizes transfer of mechanical energy from hopper 6. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 1 1. a plurality of isolators 60 are interposed between subframe 34 and hopper 6. In the embodiment depicted, isolators 60 are spaced apart disposed at non-contiguous locations such that the center of gravity of hopper, empty or full, falls within the footprint or plan area of isolators 60. During blast operations, isolators 60 are in compression with the loading being essentially vertical.

(0030| Isolators 60 may be secured to subframe 34 and hopper 6 in any suitable manner.

In the embodiment depicted, isolators 60 include threaded shafts 60a which extend in opposite direction from the middle portions of isolators 60. The downwardly depending threaded shafts 60a are disposed through openings 62 formed in subframe 34 and secured thereto by nuts 64. Similarly, the upwardly extending threaded shafts 60a are received by openings 66 formed in flanges 6a and 6b (on side opposite flange 6a, not illustrated) of hopper 6. Nuts 68 secure flanges 6a and 6b to isolators 60.

[0031 j Alternatively to, or in addition to, the use of isolators 60, isolation of hopper 6 to minimize from the rest of apparatus 2 may occur between pivot pins 40a and 40b and main frame 32. For example, isolation may be provided between bearings 50a and 50b and main frame 32.

|()032| Referring to FlG. 10, actuators 70a and 70b are used to effect pivoting of subframe

34 and concomitantly hopper 6. In the embodiment depicted, actuators 70a and 70b are double acting pneumatic cylinders, although any suitable actuator and any suitable configuration may be used. In the embodiment depicted, ends 72a and 72b of actuators 70a and 70b, respectively, are pivotably connected to the distal ends of arms 38a and 38b, respectively. Ends 74a and 74b of actuators 70a and 70b, respectively, are pivotably connected to brackets 76a and 76b which are secured to main frame 32.

(0O33| In the embodiment depicted, during blast operations, actuators 70a and 70b bias hopper 6 in the first position whereat hopper exit 18 is aligned with feeder entrance 20 with a force of about 801bf (axially relative to actuators 70a and 70b). In the embodiment depicted, this is accomplished by applying the force to arms 38a and 38b, and thereby to subframe 36. To empty or clear hopper 6, actuators are actuated to cause hopper 6 to pivot to move hopper exit 18 to a second position at which hopper exit 1 8 is not aligned with feeder entrance 20. In the embodiment depicted, actuators 70a and 70b bias hopper exit 1 8 to discharge area 10. Rotation of hopper 6 is limited by the engagement of stops 42a and 42b with plates 46a and 46b (see FIG. 6). At this second position, hopper 6 may be emptied or cleared.

[0034] A method of operating particle blast apparatus 2 includes the steps of applying energy to hopper 6 while hopper exit 18 is located at discharge area 10 to assist in dislodging particles from hopper 6 for discharge. This may be accomplished by activating energy assemblies 14 and 16, either simultaneously, separately or sequentially, while hopper exit 18 is disposed at the discharge area 10.

[0035| The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the inv ention be defined by the claims submitted herew ith.

Claims

1 \ method ol operating a particle blast apparatus, said particle blast apparatus having a hopper, the hopper having an exit, and having a particle feeder having an inlet for receiving particles, the exit being disposable at a first position at which the exit is not aligned with said inlet, comprising the step of applying energy to said hopper while said exit is disposed at side first position

2 The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of apply ing energy comprises the step of applying mechanical energy

3 1 he method of claim 1 , wherein the energ> applied during said step of applying energy is applied as impulses

4 1 he method of claim 1 , wherein the energ) applied during said step of applying energy is applied continuouslv

3 I he method ol claim 1 , w herein tin. enα g\ applied duπng said step ol apph ing energ\ is applied as impulses and as continuous energv

6 A particle blast apparatus comprising

a a particle feeder hav ing an inlet for receiv ing particles b a hopper ha\ ing an exit, said hopper being pivotable about a pivot axis between a first hopper position at w hich said exit is at a first c\it position at w hich said c\it is aligned w ith said mlet and a second hopper position at w hich said exit is disposed at a second exit position at w inch said exit is not aligned w ith said mlet and c said piv ot axis being disposed relative to said exit such that said exit does not mov e toward said inlet as said hopper moves lrom said first hopper position toward said second hopper position

7. The particle blast apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a seal carried by said hopper adjacent said exit and disposed to sealingly engage said inlet when said exit is disposed at said first exit position, said pivot axis being disposed relative to said exit such that force between said seal and said inlet does not substantially increase as said hopper moves from said first hopper position toward said second hopper position.

8. The particle blast apparatus of claim 7, wherein said force does not increase as said hopper moves from said first hopper position toward said second hopper position.

9. The particle blast apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a. a first frame, said first frame carrying said particle feeder; and b. a second frame, said second frame carrying said hopper, said second frame being pivotably carried by said first frame.

tO 1 he particle blast apparatus of clam 9. wherein said second frame comprises: a. tirst and second spaced apart support members disposed on cither side of said hopper; b. first and second pivots carried respectively extending from said first and second members; c. said first and second pivots rotatably supported by said first frame.

1 1. The particle blast apparatus of claim 10, comprising first and second bearings carried b> said first frame, and wherein said first and second pivots respectively comprise first and second pins, said first and second pins being iotatably carried by said first and second bearings respective!}

12. A particle blast apparatus, comprising:

a. a particle feeder having an inlet for receiving particles; b. a hopper having an exit, said hopper being pivotable about a pivot axis between a first hopper position at which said exit is at a first exit position at which said exit is aligned with said inlet, and a second hopper position at which said exit is disposed at a second exit position at which said exit is not aligned with said inlet; and c. a pivotable door disposed adjacent said second hopper position, said door being moveable between a first and second position, said door disposed such that as said hopper is moved toward said second hopper position said hopper moves said door toward said second position.

13 The particle blast apparatus of claim 12, u herein said door is biased toward said first position.

14. The particle blast apparatus of claim 12. comprising a wear pad carried b\ said door, said wear pad disposed to be engaged b\ said hopper when said hopper moves said door toward said second position.