Fluid distribution components of high-pressure fluid jet systems
First Claim
1. A high-pressure fluid jet system comprising:
- a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid at an operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi, the pump including a valve body having a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising an inlet, an outlet and an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the valve body, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and the valve body being subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to the operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi.
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Accused Products
Abstract
High-pressure fluid jet systems are provided which include a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid, a cutting head assembly configured to receive the high-pressure fluid and generate a high-pressure fluid jet for processing workpieces or work surfaces, and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and the cutting head assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the cutting head assembly. The pump, the cutting head assembly and/or the fluid distribution system include at least one fluid distribution component having a unitary body formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process with an internal passage having at least a curvilinear portion to efficiently route matter through the fluid jet system. Example fluid distribution components include fittings, valve bodies, cutting head bodies and nozzles of the high-pressure fluid jet systems.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A high-pressure fluid jet system comprising:
a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid at an operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi, the pump including a valve body having a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising an inlet, an outlet and an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the valve body, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and the valve body being subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to the operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fluid distribution component of a high-pressure system, the fluid distribution component comprising:
a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising; an inlet; an outlet; and an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the fluid distribution component, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and wherein the fluid distribution component is subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to an operation pressure of at least 20,000 psi. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A high-pressure fluid jet system comprising:
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a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid at an operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi; and a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and an end effector assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the end effector assembly, and wherein at least one of the pump and the fluid distribution system comprises; a fluid distribution component having a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising an inlet, an outlet and an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the high-pressure fluid jet system, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and the fluid distribution component being subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to the operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification