Pivoting hopper for particle blast apparatus
A particle blast apparatus has a pivoting hopper, allowing the hopper exit to move from or between a first position at which the exit is aligned with the feeder entrance to a second position where the hopper exit is not aligned as such. The hopper may emptied or cleared in this manner. The hopper may be provided with a device configured to impart energy to the hopper while the hopper exit is located at the second position.
1 . A method of operating a particle blast apparatus, said particle blast apparatus having a hopper, the hopper having an exit, and having a particle feeder having an inlet for receiving particles, the exit being disposable at a first position at which the exit is not aligned with said inlet, comprising the step of applying energy to said hopper while said exit is disposed at side first position.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of applying energy comprises the step of applying mechanical energy.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy applied during said step of applying energy is applied as impulses.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy applied during said step of applying energy is applied continuously.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy applied during said step of applying energy is applied as impulses and as continuous energy.
6 . A particle blast apparatus, comprising:
a. a particle feeder having an inlet for receiving particles;
b. a hopper having an exit, said hopper being pivotable about a pivot axis between a first hopper position at which said exit is at a first exit position at which said exit is aligned with said inlet, and a second hopper position at which said exit is disposed at a second exit position at which said exit is not aligned with said inlet; and
c. said pivot axis being disposed relative to said exit such that said exit does not move toward said inlet as said hopper moves from said first hopper position toward said second hopper position.
7 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a seal carried by said hopper adjacent said exit and disposed to sealingly engage said inlet when said exit is disposed at said first exit position, said pivot axis being disposed relative to said exit such that force between said seal and said inlet does not substantially increase as said hopper moves from said first hopper position toward said second hopper position.
8 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said force does not increase as said hopper moves from said first hopper position toward said second hopper position.
9 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a. a first frame, said first frame carrying said particle feeder; and
b. a second frame, said second frame carrying said hopper, said second frame being pivotably carried by said first frame.
10 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said second frame comprises:
a. first and second spaced apart support members disposed on either side of said hopper;
b. first and second pivots carried respectively extending from said first and second members;
c. said first and second pivots rotatably supported by said first frame.
11 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 10 , comprising first and second bearings carried by said first frame, and wherein said first and second pivots respectively comprise first and second pins, said first and second pins being rotatably carried by said first and second bearings respectively.
12 . A particle blast apparatus, comprising:
a. a particle feeder having an inlet for receiving particles;
b. a hopper having an exit, said hopper being pivotable about a pivot axis between a first hopper position at which said exit is at a first exit position at which said exit is aligned with said inlet, and a second hopper position at which said exit is disposed at a second exit position at which said exit is not aligned with said inlet; and
c. a pivotable door disposed adjacent said second hopper position, said door being moveable between a first and second position, said door disposed such that as said hopper is moved toward said second hopper position said hopper moves said door toward said second position.
13 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said door is biased toward said first position.
14 . The particle blast apparatus of claim 12 , comprising a wear pad carried by said door, said wear pad disposed to be engaged by said hopper when said hopper moves said door toward said second position.