Robert Watkin

US Patent:

57162611, Feb 10, 1998

Filed:

Aug 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/701007

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Peachtree City GA

Assignee:

The Wheelabrator Corporation, - LaGrange GA

International Classification:

B24C 306

US Classification:

451 92

Abstract:

The cleaning apparatus of the invention consists of a surface cleaning or treating unit such as a blast machine mounted on a support structure for oscillating motion relative thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the blast machine consists of a blast wheel for projecting abrasive onto the surface, a hopper for collecting the spent abrasive and debris, a screw conveyor for returning the spent abrasive and debris to a separator where the debris is separated from the abrasive and the abrasive is returned to the blast wheel. The support structure is supported against the surface being cleaned on sleds and is raised and lowered over the surface by a winch. The blast machine is simultaneously oscillated relative to the support structure in a direction perpendicular to the path of travel of the support structure by a fluid cylinder and cable arrangement. As a result, the blast machine is able to clean or otherwise treat a path from the bottom to top of the structure as wide as the range of oscillation. Finally, the components of the apparatus are designed to be removable such that the apparatus can be quickly and easily broken down to a size small enough to fit through small passages such as those found on storage tanks and the like.

US Patent:

58851410, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

Jul 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/900900

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Peachtree City GA

Assignee:

United States Filter Corporation - Palm Desert CA

International Classification:

B24C 306

US Classification:

451 92

Abstract:

An apparatus for blast cleaning a generally vertical surface is disclosed. The device features a blast cabinet containing a blast wheel rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis. The blast wheel is positioned adjacent to an opening in the cabinet through which it propels abrasive material against the vertical surface being cleaned. Rebounding abrasive again contacts the rotating blast wheel. This contact deflects the particulate through a rebound corridor, to the side and into-a filter. The abrasive then falls into a storage hopper for reuse. A conveyor is rotatably mounted so as to catch leaked particulate matter. The conveyor features a pair of opposing feed screws that meet in the middle of the conveyor so that leaked particulate matter is projected up to the blast wheel in a manner similar to a water fountain. The particulate matter is then propelled by the blast wheel to the rebound corridor.

US Patent:

49089986, Mar 20, 1990

Filed:

Nov 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/271586

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Peachtree City GA
Ronald G. Barrier - Peachtree City GA

Assignee:

Wheelabrator Corp. - Shenandoah GA

International Classification:

B24C 900

US Classification:

51426

Abstract:

A blast chamber contains a plurality of rotatable vertically disposed members with numerous holes therealong. Slidable brackets or yoke assemblies are secured to the vertical members at desired positions. in turn, blast wheels are secured to the mounting brackets. A large number of horizontal, vertical, and angular positions for each blast wheel results and permits the blast treatment of an object of almost any shape.

US Patent:

57306460, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Oct 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/730162

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Peachtree City GA

Assignee:

United States Filter Corporation - Palm Desert CA

International Classification:

B24C 306

US Classification:

451 92

Abstract:

The cleaning apparatus of the invention consists of a blast machine mounted on a support structure for oscillating motion relative thereto. In one embodiment, the blast machine consists of a blast wheel for projecting abrasive onto the surface, a hopper for collecting the spent abrasive and debris, a screw conveyor for returning the spent abrasive and debris to a separator where the debris is separated from the abrasive and the abrasive is returned to the blast wheel. The support structure is supported against the surface being cleaned on sleds or wheels. On a vertical surface the cleaning apparatus is raised by a winch and on a horizontal surface the wheels can be power driven. The blast machine is arranged with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the path of travel of the apparatus and is simultaneously oscillated relative to the support structure in a direction perpendicular to the path of travel of the support structure by a fluid cylinder and cable arrangement. As a result, the blast machine is able to clean or otherwise treat a path as wide as the range of oscillation with minimum overlap of adjacent paths.

US Patent:

52856011, Feb 15, 1994

Filed:

Apr 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/048925

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Peachtree City GA
David A. Hanson - Peachtree City GA

Assignee:

The Wheelabrator Corporation - La Grange GA

International Classification:

B24C 500
B24C 700

US Classification:

51430

Abstract:

The blast machine consists of a self-propelled vehicle including a pair of independently driven magnetic treads capable of adhering to and traversing ferromagnetic vertical surfaces and the underside of ferromagnetic horizontal surfaces. The blast machine includes a blast unit having a pair of blast wheels supported on the magnetic treads for propelling the blast unit over ferromagnetic surfaces The blast unit is mounted so as to be able to pivot about two axes relative to the treads so that the treads can follow and traverse curved surfaces without changing the orientation of the blast unit. The treads can also flex allowing them to traverse surfaces having varying contours. Moreover, the angle of the blast unit relative to the surface to be cleaned can be adjusted to ensure the proper orientation for blast cleaning The blast unit includes a unique mechanism for retrieving spent abrasive and debris from the surface and a separator for separating the reusable abrasive from the debris when the unit is oriented either vertically or upside down.

US Patent:

6126525, Oct 3, 2000

Filed:

Jul 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/346759

Inventors:

Robert B. Watkin - Newnan GA

International Classification:

B24C 506

US Classification:

451 95

Abstract:

A blast surface treating machine utilizes a control cage featuring an inlet and an outlet that is positioned with its outlet within the central space of the machine blast wheel. A hopper supplies particulate material to the control cage inlet. A rotating screw conveyor transports the particulate material through the control cage. The screw conveyor also forces the particulate material out of the control cage outlet where it is picked up by the rotating blast wheel. The control cage is oscillated about the axis of the blast wheel to provide a widened blast pattern upon the surface being treated. The blast wheel, blast wheel housing, control cage and screw conveyor are constructed of manganese or hardened steel to provide the an anti-shattering construction in the event that a bolt or other foreign object falls into the hopper.