Regulatable Throttle for Abrasive Suspension Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-abrasive injection cutting facilities face limitations in abrasive agent-water ratio and cutting force due to entrapped air and ineffective acceleration of abrasive particles, while water-abrasive suspension cutting facilities require complex refilling processes and precise mixing ratio adjustments under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A water-abrasive suspension cutting facility with a regulatable throttle at the entry side of the pressure tank allows for controlled adjustment of the abrasive agent-water mixing ratio, using sensors and operating parameters to regulate the feed flow and ensure continuous operation without interrupting the cutting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a regulatable throttle is arranged at the exit side of the pressure tank to adjust the abrasive agent flow, then the mixing ratio can be regulated, but the throttle experiences high wear due to abrasive particles
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle is extracted from the abrasive agent flow path and relocated to the water supply line. This separates the regulation function from the abrasive environment, allowing mixing ratio adjustment while protecting the throttle from wear by abrasive particles.
Solution Approach 2:
Water serves as an intermediary medium to carry the regulatory function. By regulating water flow to the pressure tank instead of directly regulating abrasive agent flow, the throttle operates in a non-abrasive environment while still controlling the mixing ratio through the water-abrasive suspension.
2Ease of manufacture
If the facility is taken out of operation to refill the abrasive agent container, then refilling can be performed, but continuous cutting operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling process is designed to occur during continuous operation. The pressure tank receives water and abrasive agent simultaneously through separate lines, allowing refilling without interrupting the cutting process. The system maintains continuous useful action by decoupling refilling from shutdown requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is supplied continuously to the pressure tank in advance, preparing the suspension mixture before it is needed. This preliminary action ensures that abrasive agent can be refilled without interrupting operation, as the water is already positioned to receive and mix with the incoming abrasive agent.
3Force
If high pressure is used to accelerate the water jet, then cutting force is improved, but precise regulation of abrasive agent flow becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical regulation of abrasive agent flow under high pressure is replaced with hydraulic regulation through water flow control. The throttle in the water line provides precise regulation by controlling the hydraulic pressure and flow rate, which then naturally regulates the abrasive agent suspension flow without direct mechanical intervention in the high-pressure abrasive path.
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 precise adjustment of the abrasive agent-water ratio and continuous operation by minimizing wear on the throttle and allowing for real-time regulation of the abrasive agent flow, enhancing cutting force and efficiency while preventing air entrainment.
Implementation Method 1
a high-pressure source (3) for providing water (5) at a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
the throttle is configured to regulate the feed flow into the pressure tank from the high-pressure conduit
Implementation Method 3
the water-abrasive suspension is then accelerated in the exit nozzle
Implementation Method 4
a high-pressure water jet, to which an abrasive agent is added
Implementation Method 5
the water which is at a high pressure is firstly mixed with the abrasive agent
Implementation Method 6
the water-abrasive suspension cutting facility...configured to regulate the feed flow into the pressure tank
Data Source
AI summary
A water-abrasive suspension cutting facility (1) includes a high-pressure source (3) for providing (301) water at a high pressure, a high-pressure conduit (5) which is connected to the high-pressure source (3) and a pressure tank (11) for providing (303) an abrasive agent suspension (13) which is at a high pressure. The pressure tank (11) is fluid-connected to the high-pressure conduit (5) via a regulatable throttle (17). The throttle (17) is arranged at the entry side of the pressure tank (11) and is configured to regulate the feed flow into the pressure tank (11) from the high-pressure conduit (5) in dependence on at least one control variable.