An abrasive water-jet cutting machine, comprising pumping means, fluidly connectable to a water source, a cutting head, comprising a mixing chamber, a dispensing system of powdered abrasive material, comprising a tank, a supply tube and an actuator interposed between the tank and the supply tube, which delivers the powdered abrasive material contained in the tank into the mixing chamber, through the supply tube; wherein the cutting head mixes, in the mixing chamber, the abrasive material with the water jet forming a water-abrasive material mixture jet, and said cutting head delivers the water-abrasive material mixture jet; wherein the powdered abrasive material delivered into the mixing chamber is homogeneously dispersed in suspension in a water-based gelatinous fluid; and wherein the actuator is a peristaltic pump.

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing, in particular high-strength, CO.sub.2 pellets from CO.sub.2 snow, in particular for a cleaning appliance for blasting surfaces to be treated with a mixed stream of a pressurized gas and CO.sub.2 pellets, wherein the apparatus comprises a compressing device for compressing CO.sub.2 snow to form CO.sub.2 pellets and a delivery device for delivering the CO.sub.2 pellets into a pressurized gas stream, wherein the apparatus comprises a fluid mechanical transfer device for conveying CO.sub.2 pellets from the compressing device to the delivery device and wherein the transfer device is arranged or formed between the compressing device and the delivery device.

Furthermore, an improved cleaning appliance and an improved method for producing CO.sub.2 pellets from CO.sub.2 snow are proposed.

There is described a media metering valve (18) comprising a main body (21) having a media inlet (26), a central bore (24) extending through the main body (21), said media inlet (26) being in communication with the central bore (24) and a chamber (28) formed in communication with the central bore (24). A base member (23) attachable to the main body (21), the base member (23) having a central passage (27) extending therethrough, said central passage (27) extending orthogonal to the central bore (24) of the main body and being in fluid communication with said central bore (24). A cap member (22) is mounted to the main body (21) so as to substantially enclose the chamber (28). A piston (30) is movably mounted within the chamber (28). The piston (30) having a plunger member (31) rigidly connected thereto, the plunger member (31) being positioned within the central bore (24) to move in a reciprocal manner therein under action of the piston (30). A bypass member (40) is sealingly mounted about said plunger (31) member to provide a seal between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24). Pressurised air is delivered to said central passage (27) of the base member (23) to receive media delivered from the media inlet (26) when the plunger member (31) is in an open position. Wherein, upon the seal between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24) becoming compromised the bypass member (40) functions to equalise air pressure between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24) to minimise the egress of air and media from the central bore (24) to the chamber (28).

Dry ice container for dry ice cleaning devices comprises the container for dry ice closed by the lid (2) on the upper side, and provided by the opening (3) for drawing out dry ice pellets on the lower side. The container (1) has the bottom (4) sloped towards the opening (3) for drawing out the pellets. The linear-movable member (5) is arranged in the chamber (6) at the bottom (4) of the container (1) transversely to the axis of the container (1). The member (5) has the shape of a gutter in which groups of separated openings (5a, 5b, 5c) are provided, to which at least one pellets plowing element (5d) is placed in the member (5). Each group of openings (5a, 5b, 5c) pertains to one opening (3) for drawing out the pellets.

A control valve (100) comprises a conduit (102), a controller (104), a sensor unit (106; 146, 148), a cylindrical housing (112) and one or more regulating columns (124, 126). The conduit further comprises a hollow cylindrical body (114) and two smaller and shorter cylindrical extensions (116, 118) for the insertion of the regulating columns which are orthogonal to the hollow cylindrical body and provide a contactless means to control the flow of the medium (101) in the conduit.

An apparatus and method for generating ice pellets, in particular for controlling the properties of the generated ice pellets. The apparatus comprises a pellet generation region; at least one nozzle configured to supply a plurality of water droplets to the pellet generation region; a liquefied gas supply configured to deliver a liquefied gas to the pellet generation region to thereby freeze the water droplets to generate a plurality of ice pellets; at least one temperature measuring device configured to obtain data indicative of the temperature of the ice pellets at generation; and a control system configured to adjust the flow rate of water and/or liquefied gas to thereby control the temperature of the ice pellets at generation.

Essential constructive elements of the currently known machines and devices, which work by means of vacuum blasting, are improved in the surface cleaning and engraving machine that operates via a vacuum jet process in order to enable more effective cleaning of different surfaces, further applications and simplification of the handling of the machine or device. With the modifications and additions made, the application options of the machine or device are increased, the potential of clogging the suction hose is reduced to a minimum, the service life of the machine is extended and the efficiency and operating options of the blasting hood are improved. For this purpose, technical and design details of an already known machine are supplemented and improved; there are, for instance, a metering device (3), additions to the blasting hood (6) and measures to extend the service life of the machine by using rock impact films (31).

A control valve (100) comprises a conduit (102), a controller (104), a sensor unit (106; 146, 148), a cylindrical housing (112) and one or more regulating columns (124, 126). The conduit further comprises a hollow cylindrical body (114) and two smaller and shorter cylindrical extensions (116, 118) for the insertion of the regulating columns which are orthogonal to the hollow cylindrical body and provide a contactless means to control the flow of the medium (101) in the conduit.

An apparatus for blasting having a distribution block for receiving a blasting medium, a pressure medium and/or a fluid/liquid medium, said distribution block having an outlet connectable with at least one distributing tube.

There is described a media metering valve (18) comprising a main body (21) having a media inlet (26), a central bore (24) extending through the main body (21), said media inlet (26) being in communication with the central bore (24) and a chamber (28) formed in communication with the central bore (24). A base member (23) attachable to the main body (21), the base member (23) having a central passage (27) extending therethrough, said central passage (27) extending orthogonal to the central bore (24) of the main body and being in fluid communication with said central bore (24). A cap member (22) is mounted to the main body (21) so as to substantially enclose the chamber (28). A piston (30) is movably mounted within the chamber (28). The piston (30) having a plunger member (31) rigidly connected thereto, the plunger member (31) being positioned within the central bore (24) to move in a reciprocal manner therein under action of the piston (30). A bypass member (40) is sealingly mounted about said plunger (31) member to provide a seal between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24). Pressurised air is delivered to said central passage (27) of the base member (23) to receive media delivered from the media inlet (26) when the plunger member (31) is in an open position. Wherein, upon the seal between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24) becoming compromised the bypass member (40) functions to equalise air pressure between the chamber (28) and the central bore (24) to minimise the egress of air and media from the central bore (24) to the chamber (28).