Rotatable Inlet Feed Component for Fluid Jet Receptacle Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid jet receptacles in cutting systems are often complex, bulky, and prone to premature wear, leading to rebound issues and surface defects in workpieces during cutting operations.

Innovation Solution

A compact fluid jet system with a rotatable inlet feed component featuring a tapered inlet surface and a drive mechanism to distribute the fluid jet impact continuously or intermittently, reducing wear and rebound by directing the jet over a large wear area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a compact fluid jet receptacle is used, then the system size is reduced and positioning is simplified, but the receptacle components are prone to premature wear and rebound issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceptacle sizeVSAvoidcomponent wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet feed component is made rotatable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically distribute the fluid jet impact across its entire tapered surface area. This rotational movement prevents localized wear by continuously changing the impact zone, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact size and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a static single-point impact scenario to a dynamic multi-point impact scenario by rotating the inlet feed component. This adds the dimension of time and spatial distribution, spreading the wear across the entire tapered surface rather than concentrating it at one location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the fluid jet impact is concentrated on a small area, then the receptacle structure is simpler, but wear occurs prematurely and causes rebound leading to surface defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceptacle structureVSAvoidworkpiece surface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable inlet feed component dynamically distributes the jet impact across its tapered surface, preventing localized wear that would cause rebound. This maintains manufacturing precision by ensuring consistent surface quality without requiring complex additional structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The high-velocity fluid jet, which causes harmful localized wear and rebound, is converted into a beneficial distributed impact across the entire tapered surface through rotation. The harmful concentrated force is transformed into a beneficial distributed force that protects workpiece surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If a stationary receptacle is used, then the design is simpler, but the jet impact causes excessive wear and rebound

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceptacle designVSAvoidfluid and abrasive rebound
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stationary receptacle design is transformed into a dynamic system with a rotatable inlet feed component. This rotation distributes the jet impact across the entire tapered surface, eliminating excessive wear and preventing fluid and abrasive rebound while maintaining relatively simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet feed component performs periodic rotation to continuously present different portions of its tapered surface to the fluid jet impact. This periodic movement ensures that no single location is subjected to continuous wear, thereby preventing rebound and maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution prolongs the life of the receptacle components, minimizes surface defects, and prevents fluid and abrasive rebound, enhancing the precision and safety of the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

distributing the jet over a tapered inlet receiving surface to prolong component life

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid jet impact distribution:

Implementation Method 2

a drive mechanism adapted to rotate the inlet feed component about the central axis such that impact of the fluid jet with the inlet feed component is distributed continuously or intermittingly around the jet receiving surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

impact of the fluid jet with the inlet feed component is distributed continuously or intermittingly around the jet receiving surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid jet impact: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP2849921B1Fluid jet receptacle with rotatable inlet feed component and related fluid jet cutting system and method
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 FLOW INTERNATIONAL CORP
  • EP2849921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A jet receiving receptacle is provided which is coupleable to a high pressure fluid jet system opposite a nozzle thereof to receive a fluid jet discharged from the nozzle after it acts on a workpiece. The jet receiving receptacle may include an inlet feed component having a tapered inlet that defines a jet receiving surface about a central axis to receive the fluid jet and direct the fluid jet downstream and toward the central axis. The jet receiving receptacle may further include a drive mechanism adapted to rotate the inlet feed component about the central axis such that impact of the fluid jet with the inlet feed component is distributed around the jet receiving surface. The drive mechanism may rotate the inlet feed component continuously or intermittently. Fluid jet cutting systems incorporating a jet receiving receptacle and related methods are also provided.