Wheelabrator-frye, Inc.

Philip H Diehn

John C Bergh

David L O'Dell

Apparatus and process for the recovery of particulate material lost during the passage of a surface treatment blast head having a magnetic particle seal over the surface under treatment. Wipers adapted to substantially contain the leakage material are spaced in close proximity around the outside perimeter of the magnetic seal. One or more slotted vacuum tubes are positioned between the magnetic seals and the wipers; each vacuum tube being interconnected by hoses or pipes to a recovery chamber which, in turn, is operatively interconnected with the blast head through a material transfer valve. The recovery chamber is further provided with a vacuum flapper valve adapted to selectively inhibit the flow of vacuum air through the chamber and slotted vacuum tube. During a first step the vacuum valve is open and the material transfer valve is closed. In this configuration, vacuum air and leakage material is drawn into the recovery chamber through the slotted vacuum tube and the recovered leakage material is retained therein for subsequent recycling. During a second step the vacuum valve is closed and the material transfer valve is open thereby facilitating the transfer of recovered leakage material to the blast head for reuse.

Abrasive seal recovery system

This invention relates to a portable upblast cleaning head which makes use of an airless centrifugal blasting wheel for throwing particulate in an upwardly direction against the underside of a horizontally disposed surface. The head includes means for effecting a sealing relation with the surface to be treated and for recovery and air wash separation of the blasting particulate from deposits and residue which are removed by the blasting process. The separating means is contained directly in the blasting head so that a completely portable and self-contained unit capable of recycling the particulate is obtained.

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Mishawaka, IN, United States of America

Philip H Diehn