Mobile Abrasive Blasting Separation Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation technologies for abrasive steel blast materials from contaminants like dust, paint, and rust are often large and immobile, limiting their accessibility and efficiency in site-specific surface cleaning and preparation applications.

Innovation Solution

A compact, self-contained mobile apparatus utilizing dual cyclonic stage separation and independent dust retention with inline mechanical and airwash material separation treatment, enabling effective separation and recycling of spent abrasive steel blasting shot on-site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large fixed separation apparatus are used, then separation effectiveness is improved, but mobility and accessibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidmobility and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The separation system is divided into multiple functional modules including cyclone separator, magnetic separator, and dust collector, each performing a specific separation task. These modular components can be independently configured and assembled to create a complete separation system that maintains effectiveness while reducing overall size and improving mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs pneumatic conveyance to transport abrasive material through the separation process, eliminating the need for large mechanical handling systems. The pneumatic system efficiently moves material between separation stages and to storage, reducing the mechanical footprint while maintaining separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If multi-step separation processes are used, then separation completeness is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation completenessVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separation process is segmented into three distinct stages: cyclone separation for bulk contaminant removal, magnetic separation for ferrous particle extraction, and fabric filtration for fine dust collection. Each stage targets specific contaminant types, achieving comprehensive separation while keeping individual components relatively simple and well-defined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pneumatic flow serves as an intermediary medium that carries abrasive material through all separation stages. This unified transport mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a common pathway that connects different separation technologies without requiring complex material handling interfaces between stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If mobile separation units are used, then accessibility is improved, but separation capacity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidseparation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous separation operation with abrasive material flowing continuously through the cyclone, magnetic separator, and fabric filter without interruption. This continuous processing mode maximizes the separation capacity of the compact mobile unit, ensuring that the reduced size does not proportionally reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separation functions (cyclone separation, magnetic separation, and fabric filtration) are merged into a single integrated mobile unit. This combination allows the system to perform comprehensive multi-stage separation in one compact package, achieving high separation capacity within a mobile form factor that can be deployed at various work sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides efficient, on-site separation and recycling of abrasive steel blasting shot, reducing site impact and improving accessibility compared to larger systems, while ensuring effective removal and reuse of clean media.

Implementation Method 1

dual cyclonic stage separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

The cyclonic separators use centrifugal force generated by rotating airflow to separate heavier abrasive blasting material from lighter contaminants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 3

secondary magnetic separator for removal of ferrous shot from the remaining non-ferrous contaminates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic separation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

gravity separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational separation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8771040B1Mobile abrasive blasting material separation device and method

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 ARS SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

The process and apparatus for mobile separation and recovery of used abrasive blasting material from a work site. Entrained contaminants within used blast material are removed by a self-contained mobile platform process using multiple stage cleaning system including dual cyclonic separation, multiple stage dust filters with airwash and vibratory separation in a flow through containment and blast media separation process.