Appeal 2007-0616
Application 10/733,689
I. APPEALED SUBJECT MATTER
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a method of cleaning a
surface within an industrial equipment vessel using a shockwave produced
by detonation. Details of the appealed subject matter are recited in
representative claims 13, 16, and 19, which are reproduced below:
13. A method for cleaning a surface within an industrial
equipment vessel by removing a material, the vessel having a wall
with an aperture therein, the method comprising:
for a plurality of cycles:
introducing fuel and oxidizer to a conduit; and
initiating a reaction of the fuel and oxidizer so as to cause
a shockwave to impinge upon the surface to at least loosen said
material on the surface; and
at least between said cycles introducing a pressurized gas to the
conduit effective to substantially resist upstream infiltration of a
contaminant from an interior of the vessel.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein:
the gas is introduced through a gas port in a downstreammost
20% of a flowpath length within the conduit.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein:
the gas is introduced at a plurality of circumferential locations
to form a curtain of gas.
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