Water Jet Alignment Control Using Annular Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water jet cutting systems face challenges in maintaining stable and powerful water jets due to misalignment of the nozzle with the focusing barrel, which affects cutting quality and barrel life, and current alignment checking methods are time-consuming and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an annular element at the downstream end of the focusing gun to test the alignment of the water jet, with a tubular endpiece having a larger internal diameter and a window for improved alignment control, and reduced water supply pressure and flow rate for precise alignment observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If timed drillings are performed to evaluate the energy of the abrasive water jet, then alignment quality can be assessed, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment assessment function from the complex timed drilling process and implements it through a simple visual observation method using an annular element. The annular element is positioned in the water jet path, and misalignment is detected by observing whether the jet contacts the annular element, providing immediate visual feedback without time-consuming drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive annular element as a disposable or easily replaceable component for alignment testing. This replaces the need for expensive and time-consuming timed drilling equipment, providing a cost-effective and rapid assessment method.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the nozzle is tightly pressed against the housing to ensure alignment, then assembly stability improves, but abrasive powder grains can become trapped between the nozzle and housing walls, compromising assembly quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer element as an intermediary component between the nozzle and the housing. This spacer maintains the required pressure for nozzle stability while preventing abrasive powder grains from becoming trapped between the nozzle and housing walls, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and manufacturing precision.
3Power
If high water supply pressure and flow rate are used during alignment checking, then the water jet has sufficient energy, but the jet becomes divergent and difficult to observe for precise alignment control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using reduced water supply pressure and flow rate specifically during the alignment checking phase. This creates a fine, coherent jet that is easy to observe and control for precise alignment, while the annular element provides a clear visual reference for alignment assessment without requiring full operational jet energy.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The device has a nozzle forming a water jet (54). The nozzle opens into an abrasive powder intake chamber, and a focusing tube (16) is mounted on the outlet of the chamber. The focusing tube has an internal cylindrical channel (42) of constant diameter for passage of the water jet. An annular element (44) is positioned on the outlet of the focusing tube, at a certain distance and aligned with respect to the axis of the focusing tube. The annular element has an internal diameter equal to that of the internal channel of the focusing tube. An independent claim is also included for a method for checking an alignment of a jet in a water-jet coupling system.