Water jet cutting system

Abstract

A system for controlling a high pressure water jet cutter is provided. The system includes a nozzle for directing a flow of water therethrough, the nozzle positioned within an enclosure, the nozzle is disposed upon a water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the nozzle within the enclosure. A conveyor extends within the enclosure and below the nozzle, during the operation the conveyor may move with respect to the enclosure or be still with respect to the enclosure. The nozzle is movably mounted within the enclosure, wherein the nozzle is configured to be movable back and forth along a first line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the first line is parallel to a plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a first linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the first line as controlled by a controller.

Description

WATER JET CUTTING SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 604,601 , filed November 30, 2023, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to systems that use high pressure water to cut materials such as food products, or non-food items. The system has been found to be an improvement over conventional high pressure water cutting systems.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A representative embodiment of the disclosure is provided. The embodiment includes a system for controlling a high pressure water jet cutter is provided. The system includes a nozzle for directing a flow of water therethrough, the nozzle positioned within an enclosure, the nozzle is disposed upon a water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the nozzle within the enclosure. A conveyor extends within the enclosure and below the nozzle, during the operation the conveyor may move with respect to the enclosure or be still with respect to the enclosure. The nozzle is movably mounted within the enclosure, wherein the nozzle is configured to be movable back and forth along a first line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the first line is parallel to a plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a first linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the first line as controlled by a controller.

[0004] Various representative embodiments of the disclosure are provided which include the above paragraph in combination with the subject matter of one or more of the Numbered Paragraphs provided at the end of the specification.

[0005] Various representative embodiments of the disclosure are methods of operating the systems in accordance with the structure provided in the Numbered Paragraphs provided at the end of the specification.

[0006] Advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosure that have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the disclosed subject matter is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an enclosure with a conveyor that runs through, and a nozzle that is movable in the X, and Y directions with respect to the conveyor.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment where the nozzle can move along the Y direction with respect to the conveyor.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment where the nozzle can move along both the X and Y directions with respect to the conveyor.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment where the nozzle can move along both the X and Y directions with respect to the conveyor.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view showing the vector components of a first direction of movement of the nozzle in the X-Y plane.

[0012] FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 5 showing the vector components of another direction of movement of the nozzle in the X-Y plane.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of an alternate nozzle, with the nozzle providing two parallel streams of high pressure water that are separated from each other, with the nozzle being capable of rotating about its Z axis.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a detail view of detail C of FIG. 7.

[0015] FIG. 8 a schematic top view showing the nozzle of FIG. 7 aligned in a first position with respect to a longitudinal alignment line that is parallel to and along the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

[0016] FIG. 8a is the view of FIG. 8 showing the nozzle rotated 90 degrees.

[0017] FIG. 8b is the view of FIG. 8 showing the nozzle rotated an acute angle away from the position of FIG. 8.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of a food product upon the conveyor showing the food product misaligned with respect to a longitudinal alignment line that is parallel and along the direction of motion of the conveyor through enclosure, and showing the food product at an angle with respect to the longitudinal alignment line.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a nozzle within an enclosure and above a conveyor that is capable of moving in Z direction with the range of motion schematically depicted.

[0020] FIG. 1 1 a schematic view of a system that includes a first nozzle that is capable of moving within the X-Y plane where a food product first is aligned with a cutting region of the first nozzle as the conveyor moves within the enclosure, and a second stationary nozzle that emits two streams of high pressure water and is rotatable about the Z-axis, where the food product is aligned with the second nozzle after moving past the cutting region of the first nozzle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Turning now to FIGs. 1 -11 a system 10 for controlling a high pressure water jet 10 is provided. The system 10 is configured to allow for a water jet nozzle 50 to move as desired with respect to a conveyor 30 that travels within an enclosure 20, to allow the water jet nozzle to be rapidly and accurately positioned above the conveyor 30 to allow the water jet 59 (schematic) that flows from the nozzle to cut the material that rests upon the conveyor 30 below the nozzle 50. The nozzle 50 receives a flow of high pressure water from a water line 40 that can move with motion of the nozzle 50 as discussed herein. The nozzle 50 may be supported by a nozzle assembly 51 . In the embodiments discussed below the motion systems (such as linear drive systems) may interact directly with the nozzle assembly 51 (or the nozzle 50), or alternatively may interact indirectly therewith with a transmission disposed therebetween.

[0022] The system 10 as specifically disclosed herein is configured for cutting various foods that can tolerate a humid environment and interaction with water. For example, the system 10 may be specifically configured to receipt of various proteins,such various anatomical pieces of chicken (e.g. chicken breasts), pork, beef, and the like to be cut to desired portions and shapes with the water jet. In other embodiments, the system 10 could cut other food products - such as frozen vegetables, frozen baked goods, frozen breads, and the like. Alternatively, the system could be used to cut blanks or items that are not food products and are susceptible to be cut by a stream of high pressure water. For the sake of brevity, the specification below will refer to the item that rides upon the conveyor as a food product, although the system 10 may be applicable to cut items that are not food products. The system 10 as described herein is equally applicable to cut food products and non-food products with the movable nozzle as discussed herein, unless specifically described below of certain aspects being only applicable to food products (or specific types of food products) or blanks that are not food products.

[0023] The system 10 improves upon conventionally known machines that cut with high pressure water in view of the novel and beneficial mechanism to rapidly move the nozzle but also so that the nozzle is accurately positioned as intended and within a tight tolerance band.

[0024] The system 10 may be configured with one or more sensors (not shown) or cameras (not shown) that identify the geometry of the food product that rests upon the conveyor 30, as well as in some embodiments the positioning of the food product upon the conveyor 30, as well as with some embodiments the orientation of the food product upon the conveyor 30. In some embodiments, the sensors or cameras are provided to observe the food product as it rests upon the conveyor 30 before the conveyor moves the food product into the enclosure 20. In other embodiments the sensors or cameras may observe the food product as it enters into the enclosure 20. Alternatively, the system 10 receives data regarding the geometry, positioning, and orientation of the food product as it is upon the conveyor and aligned for moving into the enclosure 20 with the observation of the food product occurring within a separate sensing system (not shown) that observes the food product before it moves onto the conveyor.

[0025] The system 10 is configured to move and accurately adjust the position of the nozzle 50 within the enclosure 20 and above the conveyor 30 and with respect to the food product 100 that is disposed upon the conveyor 30 within a cutting zone AA that isbelow the nozzle 50. In some embodiments, the system 10 may calculate a cutting strategy (or receive a cutting strategy that is calculated by another system that is in communication with the system 10) for the specific food product 100 that enters or will enter the cutting zone AA. In embodiments where the size and shape of the food product is constant, the cutting strategy may be saved within a memory of the controller 1000 (schematic), or accessible by the controller for use when the consistent product is identified. In this embodiment, the sensors / cameras may be used to identify the positioning and orientation of the consistent food product upon the conveyor 30 and the controller causes the cutting strategy to be applied as desired for the specific identified food product. In this embodiment the controller 1000 may adjust the cutting strategy when the system identifies (or receives an identification) that the food product is misaligned upon the conveyor, and / or that the food product is not oriented to be cut by the water jet from the nozzle in the programmed cutting strategy. In embodiments where the food product is mis-aligned upon the conveyor, and / or where the food product is not oriented for cutting in the normal cutting strategy, the system determines the amount of lateral offset (RR) (i.e. the distance that the food product is offset in the Y direction from the nominal cutting line - FIG. 9, which may be measured from a center point of the food product 101 , or from a forward most point 102, or another landmark of the food product 100 upon the conveyor), or the angle ([3) that the orientation of the food product is mis-aligned from the orientation that the food product typically approaches the nozzle, typically with respect to the alignment line 1001 . The system, with this determination modifies the typical cutting strategy to cut the food product into the desired portions based upon this offset, angular mis-alignment. This may result in the nozzle 50 taking an offset cutting strategy than the a cutting strategy that would be used if the food product were properly aligned to obtain the same cut pieces. Similarly, in an embodiment where the cut is desired to only be one straight cut long the front to back of the food product, the controller 1000 may cause the nozzle to move in the direct Y as the food product 100 crossed under the nozzle to result in the food product 100 that is mis-aligned by the angle [3 to have a straight cut along its length.

[0026] In embodiments, where the food product to be cut is not consistent, the controller 1000 identifies the size and orientation of the food product, as well as anymis-alignment or any non-typical angular orientation, and determines a cutting strategy to be used. The cutting strategy may be to obtain the cut pieces that are of certain predetermined shapes sizes and shapes (for all foods to be cut, or pre-determined shapes for food products that are similar to the identified size and shape of the food product) and determines the cutting strategy upon the food product that will result in the cut sizes and shapes as desired. Alternatively, in embodiments where there are not programmed with predetermined sizes and shapes of the cut pieces, the controller 1000 may identify a cutting strategy to optimize the size and shape of the cutting pieces based upon various parameters - either with respect to the observed food products or with respect to the desired types of cut pieces.

[0027] The system 10 includes a nozzle 50 that is movable in one or more directions with respect to the conveyor 30 such that the nozzle 50 can move with respect to the conveyor 30 and also such that the nozzle can move with respect to the food product 100 that rests upon the conveyor 30. In some embodiments, the conveyor 30 stops moving within the enclosure when the high pressure water jet (82, FIG. 1 , schematic) is cutting a food product, or is moving with respect to the food product between cutting operations to maintain the food product stationary for cutting.

[0028] In other embodiments, the conveyor 30 continuously moves within the enclosure at a constant speed. In this embodiment, the food product 100 moves with respect to the nozzle 50, both when the nozzle is stationary and also when the nozzle is moving in a direction that is not parallel with the direction of motion X of the conveyor through the enclosure (and at the same speed as the movement of the conveyor 30).

[0029] In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 2, the nozzle 50 is moved with respect to the conveyor in the Y direction, which is parallel to a plane 2000 that extends through the top surface of the conveyor 30 and perpendicular to the direction of motion (X) of the conveyor 30 through the enclosure. In this embodiment, the nozzle 50 may only be able to move in the Y direction and may be fixed in the X-direction, and in the Z- direction. In other embodiments, the nozzle 50 is fixed in the Y, and X directions, but can move vertically toward and away from the conveyor 30 in the z-direction (such as to account for food products that are different thicknesses (i.e. different heights above the top surface of the conveyor 30).

[0030] The system 10 discussed herein provides for rapid motion of the nozzle 50 as desired by the controller 1000 to carry out a cutting strategy upon the food product 100 that rests upon the conveyor 30 and below the nozzle 50. The rapid motion results in the nozzle being positioned, during motion and when stopped, in a position that is within a very tight tolerance band such that the water jet 82 that flows from the nozzle 50 interacts with the food product in a predictable and controlled manner. In typical embodiments, the food product 100 may be positioned upon the conveyor 30 with reference to a reference line 1001 such as a laser line that is provided upon the conveyor 30 before the conveyor enters into the enclosure 20, to assist with the proper placement of the food product 100 with respect to the cutting area of the nozzle 50. In some embodiments, the enclosure 20 includes multiple nozzles 50 that are arranged at different positions, and cover different ranges of area within the enclosure, such that multiple food products can be simultaneously cut within the enclosure 20 to increase the possible cutting capacity of the system. In embodiments, food products 100 may be fed moved into the enclosure in two or more columns and each column may include its own reference line 1001 .

[0031] The system 10 the nozzle 50 is adapted to move in the desired direction, either only Y (FIG. 2), X and Y (FIGs. 1 , 3, and 4) or only Z (FIG. 10), or a combination of Y and Z, or a combination of X, Y, and Z with the movement of the nozzle 50 completed with a linear drive system, which causes rapid motion of the nozzle 50 (and more specifically an assembly 52 that supports the nozzle 50) in the direction that the linear drive system is mounted. Possible types of linear drive systems are discussed herein. The linear drive systems 61 are schematically depicted in the figures for the sake of simplicity.

[0032] In the embodiment where the nozzle 50 moves in only the Y direction (FIG. 2) a linear drive system 61 is mounted within (partially or completely) the enclosure 20 and is adapted to cause movement of the nozzle 50 parallel the Y-direction with the range of motion depicted as 54 and to the end positions 53a and 53b and to all positioned between end positions 53a and 53b. The controller 1000 identifies the position where the nozzle 50 should be at a specific time, and specifically where the nozzle 50 should be for positioning the water jet 82 at a specific location, and either maintains the positionstationary, or in other situations continuously or periodically causes the linear drive system 61 to translate an arm 62, that is directly or indirectly connected to the nozzle 50 or an assembly 51 that supports the nozzle 50 to cause the nozzle 50 to move with the motion of the arm.

[0033] In the embodiment where the nozzle 50 moves only in the Z direction (FIG. 10) a linear drive system 661 is mounted within (partially or completely) the enclosure 30 and is adapted to cause movement of the nozzle 50 parallel to the Z direction with a range of motion depicted between an upper position as drawn in solid lines and lowermost position (as depicted with the nozzle 50z in broken lines). The range of motion is schematically depicted as distance 654, and the lowermost position with the nozzle at position 50z leaves a space between the lower face of the nozzle and the plane 2000 through the top surface of the conveyor 30 with distance 655.

[0034] In one embodiment, the nozzle 50 that moves in the Y direction can be included within a water jet cutting system that includes a second nozzle 150 that moves in the Y, or X and Y directions (and / or the Z direction as discussed above), or does not translate (but may rotate about the Z axis as discussed below), and is positioned such that the food product 100 that rests upon the conveyor 30 initially is positioned to receive a water jet from the second nozzle 150 and then with continued motion of the conveyor 30 is positioned to receive a water jet from the nozzle 50. In these embodiments, the second nozzle 150 may also be driven in the desired direction(s) (with instructions from the controller) with one or more linear drive systems 61 (as discussed herein) that are operated to cause the desired motion in the specific direction and to a specific position above the conveyor 30. In other embodiments, the first nozzle 150 may be driven by a belt system that allows the nozzle 150 to selectively move in the X and Y directions (either sequentially or simultaneously) or just the X direction, or just the Y direction. Belt systems that can be used to reposition the nozzle 150 to cause belt motion and are known in the art.

[0035] Turning now to FIGs. 1 , 3, and 4, the nozzle 50 may be movable in both the X and Y directions, either sequentially or simultaneously. The nozzle 50 is movable in the Y direction between end positions 53a and 53b for a full range of motion in the Y direction as range 54. The motion in the Y direction is based upon the motion driven bythe first linear drive system 61 , which schematically depicts a shaft 62 connected to the nozzle 50 (which alternatively may be connected to the assembly 51 that supports the nozzle 50). The nozzle 50 is also movable in the X direction between end positions 153a and 153b, with the range of motion in the X direction depicted as range 154. The motion in the X direction is based upon the motion driven by the second linear drive system 161 , which schematically depicts a shaft 162 connected to the nozzle (which alternatively may be connected to the assembly 51 that supports the nozzle 50). FIG. 1 depicts the full range of motion of the nozzle 50 as projected above the conveyor 30 with hatching.

[0036] The two linear drive systems 61 and 161 may be disposed with respect to the enclosure 20 to cause the nozzle 50 to simultaneously move in a combination of the X and Y directions, such that the line of motion includes a vector component in the X direction and a vector component in the Y direct. This is schematically depicted in FIGs. 5 and 6. The motion that is depicted in the figures may be a straight line motion that extends in the same direction for a specific distance above the conveyor 30. Alternatively, the motion may be a curved motion where the position of the nozzle 50 is altered with respect to the conveyor continuously but not in a straight line. In either scenario the motion at the instantaneous time as depicted in FIGs. 5 and 6 may have a vector component in the X direction and a vector component in the Y direction. For example, in a first instance as depicted in FIG. 5, the motion (or the direction of instantaneous motion if the nozzle is moving along a curved line over the specific period of time) is depicted in a solid line 301 , which includes a vector component 301 x in the X direction and a vector component 301 y in the Y direction. In a second instance as depicted in FIG. 6, the motion (or the direction of instantaneous motion if the nozzle is movable along a curved line over a specific period of time) is depicted as the solid line 302, which includes a vector component 302x in the X direction and a vector component 302y in the Y direction.

[0037] In some embodiments, the instantaneous position of the nozzle 50 (and the high pressure water stream 82 that flows from the nozzle 50) is determined by the operation of the first and second linear drive systems 61 , 161 . The two linear drive systems 61 , 161 establish movement ultimately of the nozzle 50 by motion of theoperators 62, 162 of each respective drive system. In some embodiments depicted in FIG. 3, the first and second linear drive systems 61 , 161 move independently of each other. In other embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 1 , one of the operators (e.g. 162) is fixed with respect to the other linear drive system (e.g. 61 ) such that movement of the operator 162 (which can move back and for the in the X direction) causes the entire (or a portion of the) first linear drive system 61 to also move back and forth in the X direction. The operator 62 of the first linear drive system 61 is connected to the nozzle 50 (or to the nozzle assembly 51 - or connected with respect to the nozzle or nozzle housing with a transmission therebetween) such that motion of the operator 62 causes the nozzle 50 to move in the Y direction. In this embodiment, when the first operator 62 is the only operator moving the nozzle 50 moves (with respect to the enclosure 20) in the Y direction only. When the second operator 162 is moved - the entire (or a portion of) the first operator is also moved in the same manner as the second operator 162 moves. If the second operator 162 moves and the first operator 62 does not move with respect to its housing 63, the nozzle moves (with respect to the enclosure 20) only in the X direction. The reference is taken between the nozzle and the enclosure 20 in this description herein because during system 10 operation the enclosure remains fixed, while the conveyor may be moving through the enclosure during movement of the nozzle 50 in some circumstances while in other circumstances the conveyor 30 may be stationary during movement of the nozzle during other circumstances.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first and second linear drive systems 61 , 161 may cause motion of the respective operators 62, 162 at the same speed. In other embodiments, the first and second linear drive systems 61 , 161 may selectively (or always) cause the respective operators to move a different speeds at any given time. This for example, may be provided if the cutting program as directed by the controller 1000 transitions from a step where a first side of the food product 100 is to be cut to a next step where the opposite side (opposite in the Y direction) are to be cut. In this portion of the cutting program, the first linear operator 61 may cause the nozzle 50 to move rapidly with a vector component in the Y direction while simultaneously causing the nozzle 50 to move very slowly (such as with a very small amount of movement) with a vector component in the X direction.

[0039] In an alternate embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4, the instantaneous position of the nozzle 50 may be determined by the operation of a single linear drive system 361 as well as a rotational system 461 that includes a rotational motor 462 that causes the housing 362 and the entire linear drive system 361 to rotate in the directions W and V. The combination of rotation of the linear drive system 361 and linear motion of the operator 362 of the linear drive system allows the nozzle 50 to cover the entire area (360) schematically depicted in FIG. 4 - with respect to the enclosure 20. The controller 1000 in this embodiment would separately control (directly or indirectly cause) motion, which could be simultaneous) of the motor 462 and the operator 362 to move the nozzle throughout the area 360.

[0040] Turning now to FIG. 10, the nozzle may also be moveable in the Z direction toward and away from the upper surface of the conveyor 30. The system may include a linear drive system 661 that supports the nozzle (and more particularly the nozzle assembly 51 ) and with motion of the operator 662 causes vertical motion of the nozzle 50. The nozzle 50 may be capable of real-time movement in the Z-direction simultaneously with motion in the X direction, or with motion of the Y direction, or with simultaneous motion of the X and Y directions. In some embodiments, when the Z-axis motion is provided along with one or both of X and Y axis motion, the enclosure 20 may support the linear drive system 661 such that the linear drive system 661 translates with motion of the X (and Y) axes - similar to the how the linear drive system 61 moves with motion of the second linear drive system 161 in the embodiment discussed above and depicted in FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the Z-axis linear drive system is fixed in place with respect to the enclosure 20, but a transmission (not shown) is provided therebetween to allow the nozzle assembly 51 (and nozzle 50) to move with respect to the enclosure 20 (X and / or Y directions) with the Z-axis drive system 561 still able to adjust the position of the nozzle 50 with respect to the upper surface of the conveyor 30.

[0041] Turning now to FIGs. 7-8b and 1 1 , one or more embodiments of the system 10 may include an alternate nozzle 150 that has two apertures (not show) that allow flow of two parallel (as the flow leaves the nozzle 150) streams 122, 124 of high pressure that is directed therefrom. The two flows 122, 124 are separated by a space T T as the flow leaves the nozzle 150. The space T T is preferably maintained from thestreams 122, 124 leaving the nozzle 150 until they reach a position where they contact or pass through the conveyor 30 (or reach a food product below the nozzle 150 that rests upon the conveyor 30. The system 10 may include one or more embodiments where the nozzle 150 is provided as well as the capability to rotate the angular position of the nozzle 150 about a rotational axis along the Z-axis, such that the two flows 122, 124 are arranged in different relationships to the X direction (i.e. the direction of motion of the conveyor 30) depending upon the angular position of the nozzle 150. As depicted in FIGs. 8-8b, the rotational position of the nozzle 150 with respect to the X-direction may be altered to alter the relative position of the flows 122, 124 with respect to each other and the X-direction.

[0042] FIGs. 8-8b depict the nozzle positioned where the center of the nozzle 150 is directly over a line 1001 , which depicts a line upon the conveyor 30 that a food product is placed with reference thereto. In FIG. 8, the first and second flows 122, 124 are both along line 1001 , while in FIG. 8a the nozzle 150 has been rotated by 90 degrees such that the first and second flows 122, 124 are arranged along a line that is perpendicular to the line 1001 , with each flow spaced one half of the distance W between the flows away from the line 1001 . In this embodiment, the distance between the two flows 122, 124 from the perspective of a food product 100 that moves along the conveyor 30 along line 1001 is V V, which equals distance T T. In FIG. 8b the nozzle 150 is in a rotational position between 0 and 90 degrees, such as 45 degrees, such that the distance V V between the flows 122, 124 from the perspective of the food product 100 moving upon the conveyor 30 along line 1001 is smaller than the actual distance T T between the flows 122, 124. The distance V V can be calculated with the knowledge of the fixed distance T T and the angle that the nozzle 150 has been rotated away from the position of FIG. X (or the angle away from the position of FIG. 8b) using the well understood trigonometric relationships based upon the angle a with respect to the alignment line 1001.

[0043] The controller 1000 may operate the nozzle 150, and specifically the angle of the nozzle 150 (between the positions of FIGs. 8 and 8a, and a desired value (FIG. 8b, schematic between FIG. 8 and 8a) in order to establish a desired cutting thickness of the food product. When the nozzle is in position of FIG. 8 (i.e. both flows 122, 124 arealigned with the line 1001 , the cutting width is at its narrowest. When the nozzle is in the position of FIG. 8a (flows along a line perpendicular to the alignment line 1001 ) the cut is the widest, or perhaps are so much spaced that a thin segment of the food product is cut between the two flows. As the nozzle 150 is rotated to various positions where the angle a makes an acute angle, the cutting thickness can be altered (or perhaps for large angles a the width of the thin segment cut of the food product can be altered). The rotatable nozzle 150 may be used with a movement system in the Y direction (FIG. 7) or with a nozzle 150 that cannot move with respect to the X or Y axes (FIG. 11 ).

[0044] The embodiments with a moving nozzle 50 discussed herein can be modified so that the moving nozzle 50 also has two streams 122, 124 and is able to be controlled by the controller 1000 to rotate about its axis for the functionality described directly above. In other embodiments, the enclosure 20 may have a first nozzle 50 that can be moved in one or more of the directions X, Y, Z as discussed above, with the enclosure having a second nozzle, spaced before or after the nozzle 50 as the conveyor 30 moves through the enclosure 20 that has two flows 122, 124 and can rotate as discussed above. In a variation of this embodiment, the second nozzle 150 may also be movable along the Y axis with respect to the conveyor 30 with a linear drive system discussed herein or another movement system.

[0045] The embodiments discussed here are specifically discussed with respect to a linear drive system (e.g. 61 , 62, 63) that causes linear motion of the operator 62 that is connected to the nozzle 50 or nozzle housing, or may be otherwise cause linear motion in the direction that the operator moves (or with multiple actuators that are arranged perpendicular to each other with at least a vector component of the direction that the operator moves (e.g. FIGs. 5, 6). In some embodiments a transmission (not shown) may be provided between the operator 62 and the nozzle 50 (or nozzle assembly 51 ) to result in the nozzle 50 ultimately moving with motion of the operator 62.

[0046] In some embodiments, the linear drive system may be a linear motor. The linear motor may be brushless or brush motors, or synchronous linear motors, or induction linear motors, with piezoelectric drives, or other types of linear motors that can result in the position of the operator 62 (like the rotor of a typical rotating motor) movinglinearly with respect to the housing 63 (like the stator of a typical rotational motor) a known distance at a relatively fast speed. In other embodiments, the linear drive system 61 may be a linear actuator. In still embodiments, the linear drive system could be a pneumatic, or a hydraulic system.

[0047] The term “about” is specifically defined herein to include a range that includes the reference value and plus or minus 5% of the reference value. The term “substantially the same” is when the item under comparison is within 5% of the aspect of the reference value of the item.

[0048] The computing elements or functions disclosed herein of the controller 1000 may include a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions executable by the processor. In some embodiments, the processor is a hardware processor configured to perform a predefined set of basic operations in response to receiving a corresponding basic instruction selected from a predefined native instruction set of codes. Each of the modules defined herein may include a corresponding set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set, and which may be stored in the memory. Embodiments can be implemented as a software product stored in a machine- readable medium (also referred to as a computer-readable medium, a processor- readable medium, or a computer usable medium having a computer-readable program code embodied therein). The machine-readable medium can be any suitable tangible medium, including magnetic, optical, or electrical storage medium including a diskette, optical disc, memory device (volatile or non-volatile), or similar storage mechanism. The machine-readable medium can contain various sets of instructions, code sequences, configuration information, or other data, which, when executed, cause a processor to perform steps in a method according to an embodiment of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other instructions and operations necessary to implement the described embodiments can also be stored on the machine-readable medium. Software running from the machine- readable medium can interface with circuitry to perform the described tasks. Moreover, embodiments may be implemented on application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits. In fact, persons of ordinary skill in the art may utilize any number of suitable structures capable of executing logical operations according to the embodiments.

[0049] Naturally, in view of the teachings and disclosures herein, persons having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that alternate designs and / or embodiments of the invention may be possible (e.g., with substitution of one or more components for others, with alternate configurations of components, etc.). Although some of the components, relations, configurations, and / or steps according to the invention are not specifically referenced and / or depicted in association with one another, they may be used, and / or adapted for use, in association therewith. All of the aforementioned and various other structures, configurations, relationships, utilities, any which may be depicted and / or based hereon, and the like may be, but are not necessarily, incorporated into and / or achieved by the invention. Any one or more of the aforementioned and / or depicted structures, configurations, relationships, utilities and the like may be implemented in and / or by the invention, on their own, and / or without reference, regard or likewise implementation of any of the other aforementioned structures, configurations, relationships, utilities and the like, in various permutations and combinations, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the pith, marrow, and spirit of the disclosed invention

[0050] While the preferred embodiments of the disclosed have been described, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited and modifications may be made without departing from the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and all devices that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.

[0051] The specification is readily understood with reference to the following Numbered Paragraphs:

[0052] Numbered Paragraph 1 : A system for controlling a high pressure water jet cutter, comprising: a nozzle for directing a flow of water therethrough, the nozzle positioned within an enclosure, the nozzle is disposed upon a water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the nozzle within the enclosure; a conveyor that extends within the enclosure and below the nozzle, during the operation the conveyor may move with respect to the enclosure or be still with respect to the enclosure;the nozzle is movably mounted within the enclosure, wherein the nozzle is configured to be movable back and forth along a first line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the first line is parallel to a plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a first linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the first line as controlled by a controller.

[0053] Numbered Paragraph 2: The system of Numbered Paragraph 1 , wherein the nozzle is independently movable back and forth along a second line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the second line is perpendicular to the first line and is parallel to the plane that extends through the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a second linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the second line as controlled by the controller.

[0054] Numbered Paragraph 3: The system of Numbered Paragraph 2, wherein the controller is capable of causing the movement of the nozzle based upon movement of both the first and second linear drive systems.

[0055] Numbered Paragraph 4: The system of either one of Numbered Paragraphs 2 or 3, wherein the movement of the nozzle based upon the movement of the first and second linear drive systems allows the nozzle to move in multiple directions that are at acute angles to both the first and second directions.

[0056] Numbered Paragraph 5: The system of Numbered Paragraph 4, wherein the movement of the nozzle based upon the movement of the first and second linear drive systems allows the nozzle to move in multiple linear directions that are at acute angles to both the first and second directions.

[0057] Numbered Paragraph 6: The system of any one of Numbered Paragraphs 2-5, wherein the controller is capable of causing the movement of the nozzle based upon simultaneous movement of the first and second linear drive systems.

[0058] Numbered Paragraph 7: The system of any one of Numbered Paragraphs 2-5, wherein the controller is capable of causing movement of the nozzle based upon simultaneous movement of the first and second linear drive systems, wherein the first linear drive system causes movement of the nozzle in the first direction at afirst speed, and the second linear drive system causes movement of the nozzle in the second direction at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

[0059] Numbered Paragraph 8: The system of any one of Numbered Paragraphs 1 -7, wherein the nozzle includes two outlet apertures therein to allow first and second streams of high pressure water to simultaneously flow therefrom, wherein the two outlet apertures are spaced apart from each other such that the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water are directed in parallel to each other and with a space therebetween, wherein the space therebetween is maintained along a distance between an outlet face of the nozzle and an upper surface of the conveyor below the nozzle.

[0060] Numbered Paragraph 9: The system of Numbered Paragraph 8, wherein the nozzle extends along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions such that the first and second flows extend from the nozzle in parallel to the third axis, wherein the nozzle is rotatable with respect to the third axis.

[0061] Numbered Paragraph 10: The system of Numbered Paragraph 9, wherein the rotation of the nozzle along the third axis alters a projection of the space between the first and second flows with respect to a direction that is parallel to the plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor and parallel to a direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure, such that in a position where the nozzle is in a first rotational position the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and the nozzle is rotatable 90 degrees to a second position where the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor, wherein the first direction is one of parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure or perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

[0062] Numbered Paragraph 12: The system of any one of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, wherein the nozzle extends along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions such that the flow from the nozzleextends toward the conveyor in parallel to the third axis, wherein the nozzle is movable toward and away from a top surface of the conveyor along the third axis.

[0063] Numbered Paragraph 12: The system of Numbered Paragraph 11 , wherein the nozzle is movable along the third axis with a linear drive system.

[0064] Numbered Paragraph 13: The system of Numbered Paragraph 2, wherein the second line is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor within the enclosure and the first line is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor within the enclosure.

[0065] Numbered Paragraph 14: The system of any one of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, further comprising a second nozzle that is movable within the enclosure, the second nozzle disposed upon a second water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the second nozzle and toward the conveyor; the second nozzle positioned within a different portion of the enclosure and in a position wherein movement of the second nozzle does not interfere with movement of the nozzle.

[0066] Numbered Paragraph 15: The system of Numbered Paragraph 14, wherein the conveyor is configured to receive a food product that moves through the enclosure with motion of the conveyor, wherein as the food product enters into the enclosure and moves within the enclosure with movement of the conveyor, the food product is disposed below a range of movement of the nozzle before the food product is disposed below a range of movement of the second nozzle.

[0067] Numbered Paragraph 16: The system of Numbered Paragraph 14, wherein the second nozzle includes two outlet apertures therein to allow first and second streams of high pressure water to simultaneously flow therefrom, wherein the two outlet apertures are spaced apart from each other such that the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water are directed in parallel to each other and with a space therebetween, wherein the space therebetween is maintained along a distance between an outlet face of the second nozzle and an upper surface of the conveyor below the second nozzle.

[0068] Numbered Paragraph 17: The system of Numbered Paragraph 16, wherein the second nozzle extends along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to a direction that the conveyor moves through the enclosure such that the first and second flows extend from the second nozzle in parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the second nozzle is rotatable with respect to the vertical axis.

[0069] Numbered Paragraph 18: The system of Numbered Paragraph 17, wherein the rotation of the nozzle along the vertical axis alters a projection of the space between the first and second flows with respect to a direction that is parallel to the plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor and parallel to a direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure, such that in a position where the nozzle is in a first rotational position the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is parallel direction of motion of the conveyor, and the nozzle is rotatable 90 degrees to a second position where the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is perpendicular the direction of motion of the conveyor, wherein the first direction is one of parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure or perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

[0070] Numbered Paragraph 19: The system of any one of the Preceding Numbered Paragraphs, wherein the first linear drive system is a linear motor.

[0071] Numbered Paragraph 20: The system of Numbered Paragraph 2-18, wherein the second linear drive system is a linear motor.

[0072] Numbered Paragraph 21 : The system of Numbered Paragraph 2, wherein the first linear drive system is fixed to an end of an operator of the second linear drive system such that the first linear drive system moves in the movement direction of the second linear drive system as the operator of the second linear drive system moves.

[0073] Numbered Paragraph 22: The system of Numbered Paragraph 1 , wherein the first linear drive system is configured to be rotated by a rotation system such that an operator of the first linear drive system can rotate between a position where it extends in parallel to a Y axis that is parallel to the plane through the top surface ofthe conveyor and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and is rotatable in parallel to the plane to form a range of angles with respect to the Y axis.

[0074] Numbered Paragraph 23: The system of Numbered Paragraph 22, wherein the operator of the first linear drive system is rotatable through a range of angles on both sides of the Y axis.

[0075] Numbered Paragraph 24: The system of Numbered Paragraph 23, wherein the rotation system can rotate the first linear drive system simultaneously with the first linear drive system causing the nozzle to translate toward or away from a housing of the first linear drive system.

[0076] Numbered Paragraph 25: A method of operating a cutting system comprising the structure of any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, the method including the steps of establishing a cutting plan for a food product that is upon the conveyor and moving the nozzle through one or more positions to cause high pressure water that flows from the nozzle to interact with the food product disposed below the nozzle.

[0077] Numbered Paragraph 26: A method of operating a cutting system comprising the structure of any one of Numbered Paragraphs 8-10 and 14-18 comprising rotating the nozzle pursuant to a cutting plan to cause the first and second streams from the nozzle to engage the food product below the nozzle in one or more arrangements with respect to a longitudinal line that is upon the conveyor and parallel to the motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

Claims

Claims1 . A system for controlling a high pressure water jet cutter, comprising: a nozzle for directing a flow of water therethrough, the nozzle positioned within an enclosure, the nozzle is disposed upon a water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the nozzle within the enclosure; a conveyor that extends within the enclosure and below the nozzle, during the operation the conveyor may move with respect to the enclosure or be still with respect to the enclosure; the nozzle is movably mounted within the enclosure, wherein the nozzle is configured to be movable back and forth along a first line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the first line is parallel to a plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a first linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the first line as controlled by a controller.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is independently movable back and forth along a second line with respect to the enclosure and the conveyor, wherein the second line is perpendicular to the first line and is parallel to the plane that extends through the conveyor, wherein the nozzle is operatively engaged with a second linear drive system that is operated to move the nozzle back and forth along the second line as controlled by the controller.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is capable of causing the movement of the nozzle based upon movement of both the first and second linear drive systems.

4. The system of either one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the movement of the nozzle based upon the movement of the first and second linear drive systems allows the nozzle to move in multiple directions that are at acute angles to both the first and second directions.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the movement of the nozzle based upon the movement of the first and second linear drive systems allows the nozzle to move inmultiple linear directions that are at acute angles to both the first and second directions.

6. The system of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the controller is capable of causing the movement of the nozzle based upon simultaneous movement of the first and second linear drive systems.

7. The system of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the controller is capable of causing movement of the nozzle based upon simultaneous movement of the first and second linear drive systems, wherein the first linear drive system causes movement of the nozzle in the first direction at a first speed, and the second linear drive system causes movement of the nozzle in the second direction at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.

8. The system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the nozzle includes two outlet apertures therein to allow first and second streams of high pressure water to simultaneously flow therefrom, wherein the two outlet apertures are spaced apart from each other such that the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water are directed in parallel to each other and with a space therebetween, wherein the space therebetween is maintained along a distance between an outlet face of the nozzle and an upper surface of the conveyor below the nozzle.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the nozzle extends along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions such that the first and second flows extend from the nozzle in parallel to the third axis, wherein the nozzle is rotatable with respect to the third axis.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the rotation of the nozzle along the third axis alters a projection of the space between the first and second flows with respect to a direction that is parallel to the plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor and parallel to a direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure, such that in a position where the nozzle is in a first rotational position the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and the nozzle is rotatable 90 degrees to a second position where the space between the two simultaneous flows of highpressure water is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor, wherein the first direction is one of parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure or perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.11 . The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle extends along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions such that the flow from the nozzle extends toward the conveyor in parallel to the third axis, wherein the nozzle is movable toward and away from a top surface of the conveyor along the third axis.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is movable along the third axis with a linear drive system.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the second line is parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor within the enclosure and the first line is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor within the enclosure.

14. The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second nozzle that is movable within the enclosure, the second nozzle disposed upon a second water line to receive high pressure water therein and directing the received water from the second nozzle and toward the conveyor; the second nozzle positioned within a different portion of the enclosure and in a position wherein movement of the second nozzle does not interfere with movement of the nozzle.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the conveyor is configured to receive a food product that moves through the enclosure with motion of the conveyor, wherein as the food product enters into the enclosure and moves within the enclosure with movement of the conveyor, the food product is disposed below a range of movement of the nozzle before the food product is disposed below a range of movement of the second nozzle.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the second nozzle includes two outlet apertures therein to allow first and second streams of high pressure water to simultaneously flow therefrom, wherein the two outlet apertures are spaced apart from each other such that the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water aredirected in parallel to each other and with a space therebetween, wherein the space therebetween is maintained along a distance between an outlet face of the second nozzle and an upper surface of the conveyor below the second nozzle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second nozzle extends along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to a direction that the conveyor moves through the enclosure such that the first and second flows extend from the second nozzle in parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the second nozzle is rotatable with respect to the vertical axis.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the rotation of the nozzle along the vertical axis alters a projection of the space between the first and second flows with respect to a direction that is parallel to the plane that extends through the top surface of the conveyor and parallel to a direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure, such that in a position where the nozzle is in a first rotational position the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is parallel direction of motion of the conveyor, and the nozzle is rotatable 90 degrees to a second position where the space between the two simultaneous flows of high pressure water is perpendicular the direction of motion of the conveyor, wherein the first direction is one of parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure or perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

19. The system of any one of the Preceding claims, wherein the first linear drive system is a linear motor.

20. The system of any one of claims 2-18, wherein the second linear drive system is a linear motor.21 . The system of claim 2, wherein the first linear drive system is fixed to an end of an operator of the second linear drive system such that the first linear drive system moves in the movement direction of the second linear drive system as the operator of the second linear drive system moves.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first linear drive system is configured to be rotated by a rotation system such that an operator of the first linear drive system can rotate between a position where it extends in parallel to a Y axis that is parallel tothe plane through the top surface of the conveyor and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and is rotatable in parallel to the plane to form a range of angles with respect to the Y axis.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the operator of the first linear drive system is rotatable through a range of angles on both sides of the Y axis.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the rotation system can rotate the first linear drive system simultaneously with the first linear drive system causing the nozzle to translate toward or away from a housing of the first linear drive system.

25. A method of operating a cutting system comprising the structure of any of the preceding claims, the method including the steps of establishing a cutting plan for a food product that is upon the conveyor and moving the nozzle through one or more positions to cause high pressure water that flows from the nozzle to interact with the food product disposed below the nozzle.

26. A method of operating a cutting system comprising the structure of any one of claims 8-10 and 14-18 comprising rotating the nozzle pursuant to a cutting plan to cause the first and second streams from the nozzle to engage the food product below the nozzle in one or more arrangements with respect to a longitudinal line that is upon the conveyor and parallel to the motion of the conveyor through the enclosure.

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