Dry Ice Blasting for Joint Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for renovating joints in concrete or asphalt roads are time-consuming, laborious, and can cause damage, requiring separate steps for removing old joint filler residues and introducing new material, often leading to breakouts that need repair.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing dry ice blasting to remove joint filling material residues, which sublimates without leaving residues, combined with mechanical removal and suction to ensure complete removal and preparation of the joint for new filling, and optional heating to prevent thermal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a high-pressure water jet is used to remove joint filler residues, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damage and spalling of the road surface material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dry ice blasting where dry ice particles (solid CO2) undergo phase transition from solid to gas upon contact with the joint filler residues. This phase transition creates a cleaning effect through sublimation and thermal shock, removing residues without the mechanical damage associated with high-pressure water jets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure water jet system with a dry ice blasting system that uses compressed gas to propel dry ice particles. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical impact on the road surface while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the unique properties of dry ice sublimation.
2Productivity
If mechanical removal tools are used to remove joint filler, then the removal capability is improved, but residues remain on joint edges requiring additional cleaning steps
Solution Approach 1:
Dry ice particles sublime upon contact with joint filler residues, transforming from solid to gas and leaving no residues behind. This phase transition property enables complete removal of filler materials in a single step, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning operations that would be required when using mechanical tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry ice particles perform self-cleaning by sublimating and carrying away residues through the compressed gas flow. The process is self-contained and eliminates the need for separate brushing or cleaning steps that would be necessary after mechanical removal.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate steps are used for joint repair (mechanical removal, recutting, brushing, filling), then the completeness of filler removal is improved, but the time and labor required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate repair operations (filler removal, cleaning, and preparation) into a single dry ice blasting operation. The compressed gas propels dry ice particles that simultaneously remove and clean the joint area, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple sequential steps into one efficient process.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry ice blasting process maintains continuous useful action by propelling a stream of dry ice particles through the joint area, continuously removing residues as they are exposed. This continuous action eliminates the intermittent nature of manual mechanical removal and separate cleaning operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If a concrete circular saw is used to recut the joint gap, then the removal of remaining joint filler is improved, but damage and spalling of the road surface material occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cutting action of a concrete circular saw with a dry ice blasting system. Instead of mechanically cutting and potentially damaging the road surface, compressed gas propels dry ice particles that gently remove residues through sublimation, eliminating the harmful spalling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry ice particles utilize phase transition from solid to gas to remove filler residues without mechanical contact that could cause damage. This phase change mechanism provides a non-contact cleaning method that preserves the integrity of the road surface material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method and device simplify the renovation process, reducing time and labor, preventing damage, and ensuring a residue-free and thermally stable joint for new filling material, thus enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of joint rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
the joint or the joint filler material can be advantageously cleaned by dry ice blasting, since this technique permits the removal of joint filler material from the joint in a simplified and residue-free manner, as the dry ice sublimates after treatment
Implementation Method 2
the compressed air transporting the dry ice particles blows joint filler residues, dust, and similar contaminants out of the joint
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a
AI summary
The present application relates to a method for cleaning and/or repairing joints (LF, QF) in the surfaces of structures, in particular traffic structures, and further in particular concrete or asphalt roads, comprising a step of removing joint filler material from the joint by means of dry ice blasting. The application further relates to a device for cleaning and/or repairing joints in surfaces, in particular traffic structures, and further in particular concrete or asphalt roads, comprising at least one dry ice blasting device (110, 210, 310) with at least one dry ice nozzle (118, 218, 318) configured to blast dry ice particles onto joint filler material located in the joint.