A one-way valve includes an upstream portion, a movable element, a downstream portion, a bias and flow paths. The upstream portion includes an inlet and a first engaging portion about the inlet. The movable element includes a second engaging portion (engageable with the first engaging portion to impede reverse flow), openings and first bias-contacting portions. The downstream portion includes an outlet and second bias-contacting portions. The bias acts between the first bias-contacting portions and the second bias-contacting portions to urge the movable element against the valve seat and surrounds an interior open to the outlet. The flow paths are via the openings and from outside of the first engaging portion and to the interior, and passing inboard of an upstream end of the bias.

The use of abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut improvised hazardous devices, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), located above or below ground. Abrasive is conducted to an entrainment abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the flow rate of abrasive.

The use of abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut improvised hazardous devices, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), located above or below ground. Abrasive is conducted to an entrainment abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the flow rate of abrasive.

A vapor abrasive blast system includes a pump for pumping a water stream to a pressure vessel for pressurizing the pressure vessel to a pot pressure. A water regulator is disposed to regulate the water stream to a fixed water pressure, such that the water stream entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure. The pressure vessel contains a blasting mixture, comprising an abrasive media and water, for introduction to a compressed air stream and application to a substrate. The water entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure to control the pot pressure. The water regulator is configured to output the water stream such that the fixed water pressure is greater than a compressed air pressure in the compressed air stream.

Control valves for waterjet systems, control-valve actuators, waterjet systems, methods for operating waterjet systems, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A control valve configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first seat having a tapered inner surface, a second seat having a contact surface, and an elongated pin having a shaft portion and an end portion. The pin is movable relative to the first and second seats between a shutoff position and one or more throttling positions. When the pin is at the shutoff position, the end portion of the pin is in contact with the contact surface. When the pin is at the throttling position, the end portion of the pin is spaced apart from the contact surface and the tapered inner surface and the shaft portion of the pin at least partially define a throttling gap.

An abrasive waterjet system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a cutting head, a catcher downstream from the cutting head, and a conveyance configured to carry slurry including abrasive material and liquid collected from the catcher toward the cutting head. The cutting head includes a jet-forming orifice and a mixing chamber downstream from the jet-forming orifice. The cutting head also includes a slurry inlet through which the mixing chamber receives slurry including abrasive material and liquid collected from the catcher. The abrasive waterjet system can be configured for substantially closed-loop recycling of wet abrasive material. This can be useful, for example, to increase abrasive material utilization efficiency and to decrease abrasive material disposal costs. These and/or other benefits may be realized both in the context of low pressure abrasive waterjet systems and in the context of high pressure abrasive waterjet systems.

The use of abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut improvised hazardous devices, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), located above or below ground. Abrasive is conducted to an entrainment abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the flow rate of abrasive.

A device for cutting a cuttable material with the aid of a fluid, in particular for water-jet cutting, may include a pressure-generating unit and an outlet nozzle that is fluidically connected to the pressure-generating unit via a fluid line. The pressure-generating unit may pressurize the fluid in the fluid line. The device may further comprise a pulsation damper for damping pressure fluctuations in the fluid line. The device may also include at least one switching valve such that, depending on a switching position of the switching valve, the pulsation damper is couplable to the fluid line and uncouplable from the fluid line.

The use of abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut improvised hazardous devices, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), located above or below ground. Abrasive is conducted to an entrainment abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the flow rate of abrasive.

Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for selectively texturing concrete surfaces are provided. An example method of providing a surface portion of an architectural precast concrete wall panel with an abraded texture is provided. The method includes a step of spraying a surface portion of an architectural precast concrete wall panel with an aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture under conditions adequate to at least partially abrade the surface portion. An example sprayer system for abrading a concrete surface is also provided. The system includes an aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture dispenser including a spray nozzle arrangement. The system also includes a material communication assembly in abrasive flow communication with the aqueous-based particulate abrasive mixture dispenser. The system also includes a dispenser positioning arrangement.