Liquid pressurization pump and systems with data storage

• US 9,993,934 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2015
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hypertherm Incorporated
• Inventors: Vandergon, Cedar J., Lindsay, Jon W., Voerding, Steve E., Hansen, Brett A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanchez, Omar Flores
• Application Number:
  US14/641,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 83 98- 99
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 3/004 by means of a fluid jet methods for use of abrasive blasting for cutting B24C1/045; guns for abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet B26F1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/00 Control , e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/10 Other safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/364 By fluid blast and/or suction

Abstract

The invention features methods and apparatuses for determining replacement of components in liquid pressurization systems. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system includes a body portion and a data storage mechanism. The data storage mechanism is in physical contact with the body portion. The data storage mechanism is configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system. The information is usable to determine a condition of replacement (e.g., a remaining usable life) of the replaceable component.

Claims

1. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system, the replaceable component comprising:

a body portion; and

a data storage mechanism in physical contact with the body portion, the data storage mechanism configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system, the information usable to determine a remaining usable life of the replaceable component,

wherein the replaceable component is one of a seal assembly, a check valve, a hydraulic seal cartridge, or a cylinder.

2. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the condition of the replacement is a remaining usable life is measured in hours of operation.

3. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the replaceable component is for use in a liquid jet cutting system, an isostatic press or a pressure vessel.

4. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the information denotes a type replaceable component.

5. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the data storage mechanism is a radio frequency identification mechanism.

6. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the data storage mechanism is configured to record a number of pressure cycles to which the replaceable component has been exposed.

7. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the information includes a period of use for the replaceable component.

8. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the information includes a condition of use for the replaceable component.

12. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the replaceable component includes a sensor.

14. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the reader is configured to write to the data storage mechanism.

15. The replaceable component of claim 14 wherein the data storage mechanism stores specific values of an operating condition over time.

16. The replaceable component of claim 15 wherein the operating condition is one of temperature, pressure, leakage, moisture information and number of pressure or operational cycles.

17. The replaceable component of claim 1 wherein the information comprises at least one of temperature, pressure, a number of operational cycles, a time of operation, a number of pump starts, or a measure of detected strain on the replaceable component.

9. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system, the replaceable component comprising:

a body portion; and

a data storage mechanism in physical contact with the body portion, the data storage mechanism configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system, the information usable to determine a remaining usable life of the replaceable component;

wherein the data storage mechanism is configured to automatically set at least one operating parameter of the liquid jet cutting system.

10. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system, the replaceable component comprising:

a body portion; and

a data storage mechanism in physical contact with the body portion, the data storage mechanism configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system, the information usable to determine a remaining usable life of the replaceable component;

wherein the body portion includes a connection mechanism for coupling the body portion to the liquid jet cutting system.

11. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system, the replaceable component comprising:

a body portion; and

a data storage mechanism in physical contact with the body portion, the data storage mechanism configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system, the usable to determine a remaining usable life of the replaceable component;

wherein the data storage mechanism is located in a low pressure region of the replaceable component.

13. A replaceable component for use in a pump of a liquid pressurization system, the replaceable component comprising:

a body portion; and

a data storage mechanism in physical contact with the body portion, the data storage mechanism configured to communicate information to a reader of the liquid pressurization system, the information usable to determine a remaining usable life of the replaceable component;

wherein the replaceable component includes a temperature sensor.

18. A liquid pressurization system comprising:

a tool for delivering a pressurized liquid;

a pump fluidly connected to the tool, the pump including;

a replaceable component having a data storage mechanism including information about the replaceable component;

a reader in communication with the data storage mechanism for reading the information; and

a computing device in communication with the reader, the computing device determining a replacement schedule for the replaceable component based on the information,

wherein the computing device is configured to adjust operating parameters of the liquid jet cutting system based on the information.

19. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the reader is configured to write data to the data storage mechanism.

20. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the computing device includes at least one of a computer numerical controller or a pump programmable logic controller.

21. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the computing device is configured to identify the replaceable component based on the information.

22. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the replaceable component includes at least one of a cylinder, a check valve, a plunger bearing, an output adaptor, a proximity switch, a hydraulic seal housing, an attenuator, a bleed down valve, an indicator pin, a dynamic seal cartridge, a cutting head adapter, or an on/off valve body.

23. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the data storage mechanism is a radio frequency identification mechanism.

24. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the tool is a cutting head.

26. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the information denotes a type of replaceable component.

27. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the information includes a time of use of the replaceable component.

30. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 further comprising an intensifier operably connected to the pump.

31. The liquid pressurization system of claim 30 further comprising an accumulator fluidly connected to the intensifier.

33. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 further including a second replaceable component including a second data storage mechanism, wherein the second data storage mechanism is in communication with the reader.

34. The liquid pressurization system of claim 18 wherein the communication is two-way communication.

25. A liquid pressurization system comprising:

a tool for delivering a pressurized liquid;

a pump fluidly connected to the tool, the pump including;

a replaceable component having a data storage mechanism including information about the replaceable component;

a reader in communication with the data storage mechanism for reading the information; and

a computing device in communication with the reader, the computing device determining a replacement schedule for the replaceable component based on the information;

wherein the tool is a cleaning device.

28. A liquid pressurization system comprising:

a tool for delivering a pressurized liquid;

a pump fluidly connected to the tool, the pump including;

a replaceable component having a data storage mechanism including information about the replaceable component;

a reader in communication with the data storage mechanism for reading the information; and

a computing device in communication with the reader, the computing device determining a replacement schedule for the replaceable component based on the information; and

further comprising a connector disposed on the pump and connected to the reader, the connector configured to transmit the information to a computer numeric controller of the liquid jet cutting system.

29. The liquid pressurization system of claim 28 wherein the connector is further configured to convert the information from an analog format to a digital format.

32. A liquid pressurization system comprising:

a tool for delivering a pressurized liquid;

a pump fluidly connected to the tool, the pump including;

a replaceable component having a data storage mechanism including information about the replaceable component;

a reader in communication with the data storage mechanism for reading the information; and

a computing device in communication with the reader, the computing device determining a replacement schedule for the replaceable component based on the information;

wherein the replacement schedule is coordinated with replacement schedules of other replaceable components of the liquid jet cutting system.