Low-Pressure Abrasive Nozzle for Delicate Wood Stripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface stripping methods for wood and other materials often use toxic solvents and high-pressure caustic abrasives, which can damage delicate surfaces and require complex environmental handling, making them unsuitable for antique or intricate woodwork.

Innovation Solution

A surface treatment apparatus using a low-pressure system with a nozzle that mixes compressed gas with abrasive glass powder, which is chemically inert and non-toxic, allowing for in situ refinishing without chemical residue, and can be formed using 3D printing techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-pressure caustic abrasives are used for surface stripping, then finishing removal effectiveness is improved, but damage to delicate wood surfaces and chemical residue problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinishing removal effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to delicate wood surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high-pressure (conventional blasting) to low-pressure (under 20 psi) operation, and changes the abrasive medium from caustic chemicals to chemically inert glass powder. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining stripping effectiveness while eliminating damage to delicate wood surfaces and chemical residue problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses glass powder as a disposable abrasive medium that can be easily contained and disposed of, replacing the need for complex chemical waste handling systems. The glass powder is chemically inert, non-toxic, and leaves no residue, solving the harmful factors while maintaining effective stripping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If high-pressure blasting is used for surface treatment, then stripping effectiveness is improved, but dust and environmental hazards worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestripping effectivenessVSAvoiddust and environmental hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By reducing operating pressure from high-pressure blasting to low-pressure operation (under 20 psi), the patent significantly reduces dust generation and environmental hazards while maintaining effective stripping through the use of chemically inert glass powder that doesn't require chemical neutralization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional abrasive blasting is used, then surface removal capability is improved, but device complexity and environmental handling requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface removal capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental handling requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex chemical waste handling systems with a simple glass powder containment and disposal system. The chemically inert glass powder requires no neutralization or special environmental handling, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining surface removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the chemical component from the abrasive blasting process, using only physically inert glass powder. This extraction removes the need for complex chemical handling, storage, and disposal systems, simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective surface removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 apparatus effectively removes surface finishes at low pressures, reducing damage and environmental concerns, enabling safe and efficient refinishing of delicate surfaces without the need for disassembly or special handling of chemicals.

Implementation Method 1

a holding tank configured to mix pressurized gas from the source with an abrasive glass powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure mixing:

Implementation Method 2

a regulator in fluid communication with the holding tank and configured to reduce output pressure from the holding tank to 20 psi or lower

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction:

Implementation Method 3

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS20230311273A1Apparatus for abrasive surface treatment

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 OGLE JANET

AI summary

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.