Rotating Forced Pulsed Waterjet for Bore Surface Prepping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous plain waterjet systems require extremely high pressures, leading to high costs and inefficiencies due to the need for robust and expensive equipment, and offer limited surface prepping capabilities compared to pulsed waterjet technologies.
Innovation Solution
The development of a rotating forced pulsed waterjet technology that utilizes a high-frequency signal to generate pressurized waterjets with adjustable parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and nozzle geometry, allowing for precise control over surface finish and patterning on metallic and non-metallic surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous plain waterjet systems operate at extremely high pressures to achieve surface prepping, then surface prepping capability is improved, but equipment cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed waterjet action instead of continuous waterjet flow. The waterjet is delivered in discrete pulses at frequencies between 20-100 Hz, creating waterhammer pressure peaks that achieve superior surface prepping at lower average pressures of 5,000-15,000 psi compared to continuous systems requiring 60,000+ psi. This periodic delivery reduces energy consumption while maintaining or improving surface preparation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure delivery parameters from continuous high pressure to pulsed pressure with waterhammer effects. By modulating the waterjet in pulses and utilizing the waterhammer pressure phenomenon, the system achieves the same or better surface prepping capability at significantly lower average pressure levels, thereby reducing energy consumption and equipment requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous plain waterjet systems operate at extremely high pressures to achieve surface prepping, then surface prepping capability is improved, but equipment cost increases due to robust high-pressure components
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic pulsed waterjet delivery system achieves surface prepping at lower average pressures (5,000-15,000 psi versus 60,000+ psi), allowing the use of less robust and less expensive pumps, hoses, fittings, and nozzle components. The waterhammer pressure peaks during each pulse provide the necessary cleaning force without requiring continuously high-pressure infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from continuous high-pressure operation to pulsed pressure operation with waterhammer effects, the system reduces the peak pressure requirements and average pressure levels, enabling the use of standard-pressure equipment rather than specialized ultra-high-pressure equipment, thereby reducing overall system cost and complexity.
3Productivity
If ultrasonic nozzle delivers high-frequency modulated water in discrete packets, then erosive capacity is enhanced, but surface prepping precision and uniformity become challenging to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotating nozzle assembly that dynamically positions multiple waterjet outlets around the bore perimeter. The nozzle rotates to distribute pulsed waterjet impacts uniformly across the entire inner surface, ensuring consistent surface preparation. The rotation speed and pulse frequency are coordinated to achieve uniform coverage and finish quality throughout the bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating nozzle assembly serves multiple functions: it distributes waterjet pulses uniformly across the bore surface, maintains consistent standoff distance, and ensures even coverage through rotational motion. This multi-functional design simultaneously achieves high erosive capacity through pulsed action and uniform surface finish through rotational distribution.
4Area of stationary object
If rotating ultrasonic nozzle is used for bore prepping, then surface coverage is improved, but system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is segmented into multiple waterjet outlets arranged around the bore perimeter, with each outlet contributing to surface coverage. The segmentation allows the system to cover the entire bore surface through rotation while keeping each individual outlet simple in design. The modular segmented structure reduces overall system complexity compared to a single complex moving nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating nozzle assembly is designed to self-distribute the waterjet pulses uniformly across the bore surface through its rotational motion. The system automatically ensures even coverage and consistent standoff distance without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms or active control systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive surface coverage.
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
This technology achieves a more efficient and cost-effective surface prepping process by reducing the required pressure source by 3 to 5 times, enabling precise and uniform surface finishes on various materials with lower energy consumption and equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer) in communication with a pressurized water source to generate forced pulsed waterjets
Implementation Method 2
The waterjet pulses impart a waterhammer pressure onto the surface to be cut or cleaned
Implementation Method 3
The erosive capacity of the waterjet is tremendously enhanced
Data Source
AI summary
A method of prepping a cylindrical inner surface of a bore using a high-frequency forced pulsed waterjet apparatus entails generating a pressurized waterjet using a high-pressure water pump, generating a high-frequency signal using a high-frequency signal generator, applying the high-frequency signal to a transducer having a microtip to cause the microtip to vibrate to thereby generate the high-frequency forced pulsed waterjet, and rotating the rotatable ultrasonic nozzle inside the bore to prep the inner cylindrical surface of the bore using the high-frequency forced pulsed waterjets exiting from the angled exit orifices of the rotatable ultrasonic nozzle.