Flow International Corporation

Daniel Chin

Jonathan M Stewart

Felice M Sciulli

Jordan J Hopkins

John C Massenburg

Katherine J Zaring

Thomas A Pesek

Daniel Devine

Volker Kern

Chien Chou Wu

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet and abrasive-jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a linear rail, a slide member coupleable to a cutting head and slideably coupled to the linear rail, at least one actuator having a first end coupled to the slide member and a second end fixed with respect to the linear rail, a position sensor, and a controller. The actuator provides an adjustable support force that supports the weight of the cutting head, allowing the cutting head to be controllably positioned at a desired height above the workpiece. The actuator may include a pneumatic cylinder, or alternately, a linear motor. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a first mount member coupleable to a controllably positionable mounting surface of the waterjet cutting system, a second mount member coupleable to the cutting head and disengageably coupled to the first mount member, and a sensing circuit having a plurality of first conductive elements disposed on the first mount member and a plurality of second conductive elements disposed on the second mount member. In the event of a collision between the cutting head and an obstruction, the second mount member disengages from the first mount member to prevent breakage of the cutting head. Following the collision, the second mount member is quickly and easily re-engaged with the first mount member without time-consuming re-calibration. In one embodiment, re-engagement of the second end first mount members is automatically performed by a biasing member.

Apparatus and methods for Z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet cutting systems

Apparatus and methods for z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet cutting systems

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for recovering abrasive for use with abrasive jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an abrasive-laden fluid handling device coupled to a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, a pre-classifier fluidly coupled to the abrasive-laden fluid handling device, a hydro-classifier fluidly coupled to the pre-classifier, a fine-particle separation tank fluidly coupled to a clarified-fluid flow outlet of the hydro-classifier, a wet abrasive receptacle positioned to receive a wet recovered abrasive discharged from the hydro-classifier, a de-watering device engageable with the wet recovered abrasive in wet abrasive receptacle, and a dryer unit. The abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include an abrasive-laden fluid conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the catcher tank and an abrasive-laden fluid outlet. Alternately, the abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include a fluid drive system. In another embodiment, a de-watering device includes a housing having a wet abrasive intake and a de-watered abrasive, and an eductor port situated along an abrasive travel path extending between the wet abrasive intake and the de-watered abrasive outlet, an eductor inlet coupled to the eductor port and coupleable to a source of eduction air, and a transport device. In a further embodiment, an apparatus includes an airflow control valve fluidly coupled to the eductor port and positionable in a first position to draw an entrained airflow from within the housing through the eductor port, and a second position to backflow the eduction air through the eductor port into the housing.

Apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid for use with abrasive jet cutting systems

An improved apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid are shown and described. An abrasive-laden fluid handling device is coupled to a catcher tank to collect abrasive-laden fluid and transport it to a hydro-classifier. Wet recovered abrasive is discharged from the hydro-classifier and transferred to a de-watering device. The de-watering device removes water from the abrasive by decanting fluid and via use of an air eduction system. De-watered abrasive is then ejected from the de-watering device to a dryer unit, to be further dried and processed for reuse.

Apparatus and methods for recovering abrasive from an abrasive-laden fluid

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Daniel Chin