Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid for use with abrasive jet cutting systems

US6361416B1 · kind B1 · utility

33Cited by
40References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 1999
Grant dateMar 26, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/10
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for recovering abrasive for use with abrasive jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an abrasive-laden fluid handling device coupled to a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, a pre-classifier fluidly coupled to the abrasive-laden fluid handling device, a hydro-classifier fluidly coupled to the pre-classifier, a fine-particle separation tank fluidly coupled to a clarified-fluid flow outlet of the hydro-classifier, a wet abrasive receptacle positioned to receive a wet recovered abrasive discharged from the hydro-classifier, a de-watering device engageable with the wet recovered abrasive in wet abrasive receptacle, and a dryer unit. The abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include an abrasive-laden fluid conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the catcher tank and an abrasive-laden fluid outlet. Alternately, the abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include a fluid drive system. In another embodiment, a de-watering device includes a housing having a wet abrasive intake and a de-watered abrasive, and an eductor port situated along an abrasive travel p…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.