Apparatus and method for particle feeding by pressure regulation
US6083001A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB24C7/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention enables accurate control of particle flow with regard to feeding abrasive material to a surface. The unit does not employ a vibrator and may be used to remove undesired material from a surface. A particular application is in a dental air abrasion unit for both cleaning and cutting tooth surfaces. When used in an air abrasion dental instrument, the abrasive material is stored in a container which is separated from a mixing chamber by an orifice member. The flow of particles is electronically controlled by the differential in pressure in the container section above the particle level and the pressure below an orifice member in a mixing chamber. The resulting particle flow to the surface is substantially linear and less erratic than that of prior air abrasion instruments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.