A shutdown system for a media blast system includes a normally closed diverter path which remains closed to air flow during operation of the blast system. During shutdown, the air flow to the metering valve is shut off, shutting off the system. At the same time, the diverter path is opened, relieving pressure in the supply line by permitting pressurized air and abrasive in the supply line to back flow through the diverter from which it is exhausted, almost instantaneously shutting off flow through the nozzle. A diffuser system is included for receiving and exhausting residual abrasive media and for reducing the noise level of the exhausted air.

An abrading device includes a funnel and an outlet orifice disposed within the funnel for passage of abrasive material, where a distance between the outlet orifice and a bottom end of the funnel is adjustable. An exhaust tube is coupled to the funnel for withdrawal of spent abrasive material from the funnel.

An actuator is configured to couple with a controlled member and includes first and second pistons disposed in respective internal chambers. The first piston may be moveable between first and second positions. The second piston may be moveable between third and fourth positions. The second piston may be configured not to engage the first piston when the second piston is disposed at the third position. The second piston may be configured to move the first piston to the second position as the second piston moves from the third position to the fourth position. A resilient member may be disposed to resiliently urge the second piston toward the fourth position.

A ball valve with a typical pop-up head has a central vertical threaded insert for receiving a stem. A grit suppression sleeve is placed on the stem concentric with the stem. The grit suppression sleeve is generally a spool with a center hole fitting on the stem. The inside diameter of the stem is larger than the outside diameter of the suppression sleeve, permitting the sleeve to move freely on the stem and providing a controlled air way that will not carry grit, suppressing the grit that previously was exhausted through the main ball valve exit port.

System for reduction of dimensional end-taper in abrasive blasted tubes has a pressurized chamber maintaining higher air pressure inside the chamber than atmospheric pressure, an air-exit port allowing gases to exit the chamber at a controlled rate, a valve restricting passage of gases from the air-exit port, a pressurized membrane through which the tube passes creating a seal, a gauge port where pressure inside the pressurized chamber is monitored and a media-exit port allowing evacuation of abrasive blast media particles after being expelled from the exit-end of the tube. The system addresses dimensional end-taper as high back pressure at the exit end of the tube reduces velocity of the gases and abrasive particles carried in it, thereby reducing erosion of the inner walls of the tube near its exit end. The system can be employed with a wide range of tube sizes and in combination with several abrasive blasting techniques.

The portable apparatus for cleaning surfaces comprises a tank (2) associated with a base (3), said tank (2) comprising at least one couple of chambers (5) predisposed to contain respective abrasive materials, said chambers (5) being hermetically separated from one another; at least one couple of mixing valves (13) associated with said base (3) and connected with respective said chambers (5) each said mixing valve (13) being predisposed to receive said abrasive material contained in said respective chamber (5) and to mix said abrasive material with a predetermined amount of compressed air.

A pneumatic-controlled abrasive blasting system that includes a blast hose; and a deadman assembly coupled with the blast hose. The deadman assembly has a primary deadman valve; and a secondary deadman valve. There is an air source configured for fluid communication with each of the primary and secondary deadman valves and the blast hose. There is a regulator valve disposed between the deadman assembly and the air source. The regulator is configured to reduce the pressure of airflow to the deadman assembly.

An actuator is configured to couple with a controlled member and includes first and second pistons disposed in respective internal chambers. The first piston may be moveable between first and second positions. The second piston may be moveable between third and fourth positions. The second piston may be configured not to engage the first piston when the second piston is disposed at the third position. The second piston may be configured to move the first piston to the second position as the second piston moves from the third position to the fourth position. A resilient member may be disposed to resiliently urge the second piston toward the fourth position.

An abrasive blasting system and associated methods are disclosed. The abrasive blasting system includes a blast enclosure that receives a component to be blasted by an abrasive media. A dust collector is fluidly coupled to the blast enclosure and collects the dust from the blast enclosure generated by the blasting of the component by the abrasive media. The dust collector includes a filter and a fan having a motor. The filter is disposed upstream of the fan. The fan draws air and dust from the blast enclosure into the dust collector and draws air through the filter to separate the dust from the air. A sensor monitors a condition of the abrasive blasting system and generates a condition signal corresponding to the condition. A controller receives the condition signal and controls the fan based on the condition signal.

An apparatus for treatment of a surface has a holding tank configured to mix pressurized gas from the source with an abrasive glass powder, wherein the powder has a mean particulate size of 210 microns or less. A regulator in fluid communication with the holding tank is configured to reduce output pressure from the holding tank to 20 psi or lower. A nozzle is in fluid connection with the holding tank output, the nozzle having a shutoff valve, a feeder tube fitted to the valve and formed of a polymer material, and a hardened metal insert fitted into an end of the feeder tube and having an orifice that is configured to direct the compressed gas and abrasive glass powder to the surface.