METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING, ABRADING, AND DRILLING WITH SUBLIMABLE PARTICLES AND VAPOROUS LIQUIDS

摘要

A gas delivery system provides a first gas (14) which is in a liquid state under extreme pressure and in a gaseous state under intermediate pressure. A particle delivery system provides a slurry (22, 24) comprising the first gas (14) in a liquid state and a second gas (18) in a solid state. The second gas (18) is selected so that it will solidify at a temperature at or above the temperature of the first gas (14) in a liquid state. A nozzle assembly (12) connected to the gas delivery system and to the particle delivery system produces a stream (20) having a high velocity central jet comprising the slurry (22, 24), a liquid sheath surrounding the central jet comprising the first gas (14) in a liquid state and an outer jacket (26) surrounding the liquid sheath comprising the first gas (14) in a gas state.