A high-pressure liquid jet cutting system can include a hopper configured to contain an abrasive mixture that includes abrasive and an additive, and a cutting head configured to receive the abrasive mixture from the hopper and introduce the abrasive mixture into a high-pressure liquid jet. The system can further include a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of the abrasive mixture associated with the additive, and one or more processors operably connected to the sensor and configured to determine information about the abrasive based, at least in part, on the detected characteristic. The one or more processors can be configured to adjust or otherwise control operation of one or more components of the high-pressure liquid jet cutting system based, at least in part, on the information to, e.g., improve or optimize system performance.

An automated abrasive control system 100 is provided for controlling abrasive flow in a pneumatic abrasive blast pot 110 having at least one blast hose 116 (shown coupled to a blast nozzle 115). The pneumatic abrasive blast pot 110 is used for the cleaning and preparation of surfaces in readiness for the application of paint systems or other surface treatment processes. A plurality of sensors accurately measures values of the system operating parameters such as air pressure, temperature, humidity, and abrasive flow rate. The automated abrasive control system 100 includes an abrasive flow sensor 120 for measuring abrasive flow rate through the at least one blast hose 116, an abrasive metering valve 114 for controlling abrasive flow rate through the at least one blast hose 116, and a controller 112 configured to receive a signal from the abrasive flow sensor 120 and actuate the abrasive metering valve 114 based on a set of predetermined conditions such as nozzle size and abrasive media and combinations thereof in order to maintain the abrasive flow rate within an optimum abrasive flow rate range.

A metering valve for introducing media into a pressurized fluid includes media passaging having a media inlet for receiving media and a media outlet for dispensing media toward the pressurized fluid. The media passaging defines a flow path extending from the media inlet to the media outlet and is configured to permit flow of media along the flow path. A plunger, including a plunger head, is movable between a closed position in which the plunger head forms a seal to prevent flow of media through the media passaging and an open position in which the plunger head permits flow of media through the media passaging. The seal formed by the plunger head includes a first sealing interface and a second sealing interface downstream along the flow path of the first sealing interface.

An abrasive blasting system that includes a blast hose; and a deadman assembly operably coupled therewith for controlling discharge out of the blast hose. The deadman assembly has a position of either a signal-flow or a no-flow position. When engaged to the signal-flow position, a burst or pulse of purge air is transferred to a mixer via a water injection conduit.

A painting-installation cleaning system is provided for cleaning at least one component of a painting installation, in particular at least one component of a painting robot or of a handling robot, characterized by at least one dry-ice nozzle for producing a dry-ice jet which cleans the component.

A hand-held ejector tool for ejecting a pressurized stream of abrasive materials and a hopper assembly for use in the same is provided. The hand-held ejector tool includes a pressurized air source, a hopper assembly and a delivery conduit for ejecting a pressurized stream of abrasive material. The hopper assembly includes a containment area to store an abrasive material, an air conduit to receive pressurized air from the pressurized air source, a one-way valve to provide the pressurized air into an upper portion of the containment area, and a mixing device to mix the abrasive material and the pressurized air to create a pressurized stream of abrasive material. The delivery conduit may include a stylus to permit a controllable ejection the pressurized stream of abrasive material.

Air flow management systems and methods to facilitate the delivery of abrasives to an abrasive fluid jet cutting head are provided which enable the makeup of the discharged abrasive fluid jet to be controlled or manipulated in a particularly advantageous manner. The methods may include continuously or periodically measuring a volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through an abrasive feed passageway at one or more measurement locations and adjusting the volumetric flow rate of air (or other abrasive material carrier fluid) moving through the abrasive feed passageway based at least in part on said measuring. Systems and methods for diagnosing changes in operational conditions and/or changes in the condition of one or more components of an abrasive fluid jet cutting system are also provided.

A particle blast apparatus includes a metering portion, a comminutor and a feeding portion. The metering portion and comminutor may each be configured to provide uniformity in the discharge of particles. The metering portion controls the particle feed rate, and may include a rotor, which may have V or chevron shaped pockets. The comminutor includes at least one roller which may be moved between and including a position at which the gap of the comminutor is at maximum and a position at which the gap is at minimum. The metering portion may particles direction into the feeding portion without a comminutor being present. The comminutor may receive particles directly from a source of blast media without a metering portion being present.

A valve for regulating the flow of ferromagnetic peening materials, consisting of an arrangement of pole pieces, spacers, permanent magnets, and electrical coils. This arrangement uses an angular magnetic field to concentrate holding strength within the working gaps without sacrificing holding strength to the environment, increasing the valve's efficiency. Additionally, this valve covers a large range of flow rates by exchanging center bars and magnets of different sizes, without otherwise increasing the size of the valve.

This application describes a magnetic valve for controlling the flow of media in wheel-blast style abrasive blasting cabinets. The valve features a novel air aspiration system comprising of aspiration inlets, chamber, and outlets, in a configuration which guarantees passage of air from ambient into the peening system regardless of installation. This system acts as a passive aspiration source to counteract the negative pressures imposed by the wheel-blast blades in the valve's off-state. This arrangement eliminates the need for other means of aspiration to be installed in the peening system by the end user.