Removable Hydraulic Fast-Coupling for Leak-Prone Water Jet Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydraulic fast-coupling assemblies for water jet cutting systems in sheet material processing machines are prone to leaks due to surface inaccuracies, oxidation, or small dents, requiring complex and delicate replacement by qualified technicians, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fast-coupling assembly with two removable couplings, one connected to the coupling element and the other to the mobile stem, allowing for easy replacement of these couplings without needing specialized operators, using a conical tip and mouth configuration for fluid communication and a spiral spring for movement, enabling simpler maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic fast-coupling assembly with conical metal surfaces is used to connect the water jet cutting system and supporting head, then high-pressure fluid communication is achieved, but surface inaccuracies, oxidation, or dents cause leaks requiring complex replacement by qualified technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into multiple separable components: a first coupling connected to the mobile stem and a second coupling connected to the coupling element. This segmentation allows the couplings to be replaced independently without replacing the entire assembly or requiring specialized technician intervention, while maintaining sealing reliability through the segmented design.
2Productivity
If conventional fast-coupling assemblies are used, then high-pressure water jet connection is achieved, but replacement requires qualified technicians and causes extended downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly incorporates a mobile stem that can move between retracted and extracted positions, enabling dynamic connection and disconnection of the water jet system. This dynamic design, combined with the separable couplings, allows rapid replacement by non-technical personnel, significantly reducing maintenance downtime and improving operational efficiency.
3Strength
If metal conical surfaces are used for coupling connection, then structural strength is maintained, but surface defects lead to leaks at high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The couplings are designed as replaceable components that can be easily swapped out when surface defects occur. Rather than requiring precision-machined metal conical surfaces that are sensitive to defects, the invention uses separable couplings that can be replaced by non-technical personnel, effectively treating them as consumable parts that maintain reliability through easy replacement rather than through durable surface integrity.
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
Enables users to replace the couplings quickly and easily, reducing downtime and operational costs by allowing non-technical personnel to perform maintenance, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the water jet cutting system.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral spring housed in said annular protrusion and in compression against said first and second abutment faces
Implementation Method 2
The coupling of the mobile stem and the coupling element is made by means of a conical mouth formed on the movable stem and a conical tip formed on the coupling element
Data Source
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AI summary
Hydraulic fast-coupling assembly (100) for coupling a water jet cutting system (L) with a supporting head (S) of a machine (M); said fast-coupling assembly (100) comprises a coupling element (1) suitable for being integral with the water jet cutting system (L) and for being coupled with the supporting head (S); the coupling element (1) comprises a central duct (10); a mobile stem (2) comprising an internal duct (20) and suitable for being slidably mounted inside a seat (S1) obtained on the supporting head (S); the peculiarity of the hydraulic fast-coupling assembly (100) according to the invention is that it comprises at least one coupling (3,4) removably connected to said mobile stem (2) and/or to said coupling element (1); said at least one coupling (3, 4) comprising an axial duct (30, 40) that puts in communication said internal duct (20) and said central duct (10).