Methods and equipment for controlling the temperature of solid particles and an interstitial medium

Abstract

Methods and equipment for controlling the temperature of particles in polishing processes using solid particles and/or solid particles with an electrolyte inside a container. The method includes a step in which a gas is circulated through the environment between the particles located inside the container. The method may also include a simultaneous or prior step of adjusting the chemical composition of the particles or of the environment. The equipment includes means for injecting a gas, which in some cases is injected from the bottom of the container, the means fro injecting a gas including an aero-flotation device and, optionally, also a moisturizing device for suspending droplets of a liquid in the gas.

1 . A method for surface treating a metal part through ion transport using electrically conductive solid particles, the method comprising:
 electrically coupling the electrically conductive solid particles to a first pole of a current generator, the solid particles being located within an interstitial medium inside a container;   electrically coupling the surface of the metal part to a second pole of the current generator;   causing friction between the surface of the metal part and the solid particles;   altering a temperature of the solid particles by injecting a gas into the container such that the gas circulates in the interstitial medium and between the solid particles inside the container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid particles are loaded with an electrolyte. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the altering of the temperature of the solid particles by injecting a gas into the container occurs during the surface treating of the metal part. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the circulating gas is air. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gas injected into the container has a temperature below a temperature of the interstitial medium. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gas injected into the container has a temperature below a temperature of the solid particles. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gas is injected into the container from a lower part or a bottom of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the gas is injected into the container by an aero-flotation device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising suspending micro-droplets of a liquid within the circulating gas. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the suspending micro-droplets of a liquid within the circulating gas comprises spraying polar liquid into the circulating gas. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the spraying of polar liquid is carried out by one or more injectors located inside the container. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising hydrating the gas prior to the gas being injected into the container. 
     
     
         13 . Equipment for surface treating a metal part through ion transport by use of electrically conductive solid particles located within an interstitial medium inside a container, the equipment comprising means to circulate a gas originating from outside the container into the interstitial medium and between the solid particles inside the container. 
     
     
         14 . The equipment of  claim 13 , wherein the means for circulating a gas comprises at least one aero-flotation device that comprises:
 a chamber located at or near a bottom of the container;   a gas blowing manifold that includes one or more perforated tubes incorporated inside the chamber and connected to a gas inlet duct; and   a fine mesh membrane that closes a top of the chamber;   the aero-flotation device being configured to generate a cushion of gas above the membrane upon a pressurized gas being introduced into the gas inlet duct.   
     
     
         15 . The equipment of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber has a lower base with a perimeter partition that functions as a support ring and adapts to the shape of the bottom of the container, and defines a central housing for accommodating the blowing manifold. 
     
     
         16 . The equipment of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is made of a material that is not electrically conductive. 
     
     
         17 . The equipment of  claim 13 , further comprising a hydration device configured to incorporate micro-droplets of a liquid into the gas prior to the gas being circulated through the interstitial medium and between the solid particles inside the container. 
     
     
         18 . The equipment of  claim 17 , wherein the hydration device comprises:
 a column filled with the liquid;   a gas inlet tube that includes an outlet mouth located in a lower part of the column; and   a gas outlet tube that includes an inlet mouth located at an upper part of the column, above the liquid level.   
     
     
         19 . The equipment of  claim 18 , wherein the outlet mouth of the inlet tube includes a filter. 
     
     
         20 . The equipment of  claim 13 , wherein the container is incorporated inside a cooling jacket that includes a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet.