Claims
- 1. A system for jet-induced finishing of a substrate surface, comprising:
a) means for covering the surface with an abrasive liquid slurry; and b) means for impinging a jet of a fluid against said slurry to induce shear in said slurry adjacent said substrate surface whereby portions of said substrate are removed by said slurry to alter the shape of said substrate surface towards a predetermined shape.
- 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for covering is selected from the group consisting of a pool and an auxiliary jet.
- 3. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for impinging includes a nozzle having an exit tip having a diameter.
- 4. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said nozzle tip is off-spaced from said substrate surface by a distance less than about six of said nozzle diameters.
- 5. A system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said distance is less than about two nozzle diameters.
- 6. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said nozzle tip is immersed in said slurry.
- 7. A system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said nozzle tip is above a free upper surface of said slurry.
- 8. A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of a gas and a liquid.
- 9. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said gas is air.
- 10. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said liquid is water.
- 11. A method for jet-induced finishing of a substrate surface, comprising the steps of:
a) covering the surface with an abrasive liquid slurry; and b) impinging a jet of a fluid against said slurry to induce shear stress in said slurry adjacent said substrate surface whereby portions of said substrate are removed by said slurry to alter the shape of said substrate surface towards a predetermined shape.
- 12. A method in accordance with claim 11 including the further steps of:
a) providing a nozzle for said impinging of said jet, said nozzle having an exit tip having a diameter; and b) positioning said nozzle tip at a distance less than about two nozzle diameters from said substrate surface.
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application draws priority from a Provisional Application Serial No. 60/257,843, filed Dec. 21, 2000.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60257843 |
Dec 2000 |
US |