Rust Inhibiting System and Method of Use
Patent Number: US 11285580 Grant Date: 2022-03-29 Filing Date: 2020-01-07
Overview
This patented rust-inhibiting process and slurry-blasting system describes an integrated method for removing tarnished surface layers while simultaneously cleaning and protecting underlying metal. Filed in January 2020 and granted in March 2022, the application—prosecuted for an applicant based in Houston, TX—claims a tank-based slurry reservoir that mixes an abrasive, a fluid (such as water), and a rust inhibitor into a single slurry. The system uses controlled air injection through a center tube and selectively actuated blast nozzles to draw and spray portions of the slurry, enabling the slurry stream to separate and strip the tarnished top layer and immediately treat the exposed parent metal. Multi-tank and blister-assembly embodiments, vibration-assisted settling, pinch valves, and venting structures are claimed to support reliable flow control and continuous operation. The claims are drafted to protect both process steps and the mechanical components that deliver a combined cleaning-and-passivation function.
Key Features
- Simultaneous abrasive removal and rust-inhibitor application directly from a slurry reservoir
- Center-tube/air-injection flow control with pinch valve and blast nozzle actuation
- Multi-tank/blister assemblies for continuous or scalable blasting operations
- Designed to prevent re-impregnation of contaminants while depositing a protective inhibitor layer
This carefully claimed invention addresses corrosion control in industrial surface preparation and offers practical value across marine, oil & gas, and heavy manufacturing applications where efficient cleaning and immediate protection are essential.
Invention Details
Abstract: A rust inhibiting process for cleaning and protecting a target object is disclosed. Comprising mixing at least a rust inhibitor and a fluid into a slurry mixture, spraying the slurry mixture at the target object from within a reservoir of a slurry blasting system, separating a tarnished top layer and a parent metal of the target object with a slurry stream, cleaning the parent metal with the rust inhibitor, preventing the parent metal from impregnating with contaminants during cleaning with the rust inhibitor, and protecting the parent metal with the rust inhibitor after spraying is complete. The slurry stream comprises the slurry mixture of the slurry blasting system being sprayed with the slurry blasting system. The slurry blasting system comprises a tank.
Summary of the Invention: A rust inhibiting process 100 for cleaning and protecting a target object 902 is disclosed. Comprising mixing at least a rust inhibitor 620 and a fluid 618 into a slurry mixture 608, spraying said slurry mixture 608 at said target object 902 from within a reservoir 610 of a slurry blasting system 202, separating a tarnished top layer 906 and a parent metal 904 of said target object 902 with a slurry stream 908, cleaning said parent metal 904 with said rust inhibitor 620, preventing said parent metal 904 from impregnating with contaminants during cleaning with said rust inhibitor 620, protecting said parent metal 904 with said rust inhibitor 620 after spraying is complete, storing said slurry mixture 608 within a tank 204, injecting a compressed air 1012 into a lower end of a center tube 228, opening a gap between said center tube 228 and said tank 204, receiving a portion of said slurry mixture 608 into said compressed air 1012, and selectively spraying a portion of said slurry mixture 608 at said target object 902. Said slurry stream 908 comprises said slurry mixture 608 of said slurry blasting system 202 being sprayed with said slurry blasting system 202. Said slurry blasting system 202 comprises said tank 204. A center tube 606. An inlet 216. A first spraying assembly 804. Said reservoir 610. Said inlet 216 is configured to receive said compressed air 1012 from an air compressor 1002. Said first spraying assembly 804 is attached to said center tube 606 and receives a portion of said slurry mixture 608 and directs it at said target object 902. Said tank 204 further comprises a conical lower portion 226 attached to said inlet 216 through A coupler 622. Said coupler 622 receives said compressed air 1012 from said air compressor 1002.
Patent Document
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