Disposable weir liner

Abstract

A garnet settling / filtration system for use with a plurality of machine tools such as a water jet cutting machine is described. The garnet settling / filtration system comprises a settling tank, which utilizes a removable, disposable settling weir, which is received therein. The settling weir drops into the settling tank and provides an over-under flow system through which the garnet slurry must travel. As the flow of the slurry travels over and under the incorporated series of baffles, the garnet particulate settles out on the bottom of the liner. Once the liner has reached its maximum holding capacity, a series of incorporated, reinforced removal loops located near the top of the liner allow for the easy and quick removal of the liner and the settled-out particulate from the settling tank. The liner can then be discarded and a new one replaced in a matter of minutes, thereby reducing downtime of the machine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to abrasive particulate settling / filtration systems for use with machine tools, such as a water jet cutting tool, and more particularly to such a system using a disposable settling tank liner.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Water jet tools producing high-pressure jets of water containing abrasive particles are used to cut a variety of materials including metals, stone, ceramics, concrete, tile and glass. A water jet tool connects a high-pressure fluid pump to a cutting head in order to produce an ultra-high-pressure water jet for discharge through a water jet nozzle. Before the water jet is discharged, an abrasive particulate, such as garnet particles, is added to facilitate the cutting of the material. The water containing the abrasive particulate is ejected through the water jet nozzle at a rate of approximately 1 gallon per minute (GPM) onto a workpiece that is restrained on a cutting table. As the water jet containing th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention is directed to a garnet settling / filtration system that provides a solution to the aforementioned problems associated with other settling / filtration systems. The present invention features a garnet settling / filtration system for use with water jet cutting tools. The garnet settling / filtration system comprises a settling tank which utilizes a removable, disposable settling weir, which is received therein. The settling weir drops into the settling tank and provides an over-under flow system through which the garnet slurry must travel. As the flow of the slurry travels over and under the incorporated series of baffles, the garnet particulate settles out on the bottom of the liner. Once the liner has reached its maximum capacity, a series of incorporated, reinforced removal loops located near the top of the liner allow for the easy and quick removal of the liner and the settled-out particulate from the settling tank. The liner can then be discarded and a new one replaced in a matter of minutes, thereby reducing downtime of the water-jet cutting system.

[0007]Thus, the invention advantageously provides for a cost-effective efficient system that is capable of settling out the abrasive particulate from the slurry. By allowing the liner to be removed and discarded, significant time is saved from shutting down the entire system while the settling tank is drained and cleaned. Further, since the invention allows for the quick emptying of the settling container of the particulate which has accumulated therein, there is no need to de-sludge such a container.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the abrasive character of the particulate, the fluid and particulate slurry are abrasive and damaging to the particulate recycling system.

In particular, the pump used to draw the particulate slurry through the filtration system is subject to frequent breakdown and to damage caused by the particulate, and this heavy particulate slurry causes frequent filter replacement.

The drawback to this type of system is the need to frequently shut down the system in order to clean out the particulates which have collected in the bottom.

This process requires a significant amount of time in which the system is not running, while the maintenance is performed, as well as a significant amount of burdensome cleansing of the settling tank.

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