Cutting Tip Orifice Cleaning Using Piston-Driven Slag Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cutting torch orifices often become clogged with slag during the cutting process, leading to reduced effectiveness and a shortened tool life, as traditional methods for clearing slag can damage the orifice and require frequent replacement of the cutting tip.
Innovation Solution
A slag removal tool comprising a lower member with gas or fluid release openings, an upper member for securing a tube and collar, and a piston to force unclogging materials through the orifices, allowing for effective slag removal without damaging the cutting tip orifice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a drill tip is inserted into the orifice to dislodge slag, then the slag is removed from the orifice, but the cutting tip orifice shape is damaged and distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful slag from the orifice using a specialized removal tool that introduces unclogging material directly into the orifice. The tool applies mechanical force through a piston to push the slag out through the gas release openings, separating the slag removal function from the cutting tip itself and avoiding direct contact that would damage the orifice shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary unclogging material (such as water, air, or other fluids) that acts as a mediator between the slag and the removal mechanism. This intermediary material helps dislodge and transport the slag out of the orifice without requiring direct mechanical contact between the removal tool and the delicate orifice structure.
2Productivity
If the cutting tip is disposed and replaced with a new cutting tip, then the cutting operation can continue, but the operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire cutting tip when slag clogs the orifice, the invention recovers the valuable cutting tip by selectively removing only the slag obstruction. The reusable removal tool allows repeated cleaning of the same cutting tip, transforming a disposable solution into a recoverable and reusable process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the cutting tip to serve itself by providing a maintenance mechanism that can be applied directly to the tip. The removal tool is designed to interface with the cutting tip structure, allowing the tip to be cleaned and restored without requiring replacement or external machining operations.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional slag removal methods are used, then slag is dislodged from the orifice, but the cutting tip orifice is damaged and produces undesirable cutting flame
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful slag that blocks the orifice into a removable obstruction that can be cleanly extracted. By designing the removal tool to match the orifice geometry and using controlled application of unclogging material, the process transforms the problematic slag accumulation into a manageable removal operation that actually improves orifice performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary protective action by designing the removal tool to prevent damage before it occurs. The tool's structure, including the piston and gas release openings, is configured to apply force in a way that pushes slag out without contacting or distorting the orifice walls, proactively preventing the damage that would otherwise occur during slag removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool effectively clears slag from the cutting tip orifice without damaging it, extending the tool's life and reducing operational costs by maintaining the orifice's shape and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a piston to force unclogging materials through the orifices
Implementation Method 2
lower member with gas or fluid release openings
Data Source
AI summary
A device to unclog orifices in a workpiece is provided. The device includes a lower portion configured to receive the workpiece and an upper portion configured to secure the workpiece to the lower portion. The upper portion includes a tube configured to receive a piston. An unclogging material is placed in the tube portion, and the piston forces the unclogging material through the orifices.