Water blasting system with improved pressure control and method

Abstract

The high pressure system 10 is provided for outputting pressurized fluid to a source, such as a blasting gun 26. The system includes mechanical transmission 14 interconnecting a diesel engine 12 with a positive displacement pump 20. A programmable controller 30 is provided for receiving signals from a pressure transducer 34 and for controlling operation of an engine controller 44, a clutch controller 42, and a transmission shifter 46 to obtain the desired fluid pressure level output from the pump. The controller preferably communicates by wireless transmission technology, so that the controller 30 may be exterior of a sound abatement enclosure 28 surrounding the engine 12 and the transmission 14. Controller 30 may be operated to automatically shift the transmission in response to fluid pressure output from the pump. Alternatively, controller 30 may receive input instructions from the operator to shift the transmission to a desired gear. In either case, the controller 30 automatically regulates engine rpm and engages and disengages the clutch for automatically shifting the transmission.