Cutting By Direct Application Of Fluent Pressure To Work Patents (Class 83/53)
  • Patent number: 5003729
    Abstract: A sheet support assembly for fluid jet cutting operation having a first support extending through and independent of a catcher tank of the cutting jet system to support the central portion of said sheet and a frame assembly mounted independent of said catcher tank to support selected edge portions of the sheet to be cut. The first support includes a vertically adjustable vacuum plenum to secure the sheet thereto. The sheet edge supports on the frame are vertically and horizontally adjustable so that they may support the edges of a variety of sheet sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Sherby
  • Patent number: 4966059
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for high-speed waterjet cutting of moving extensible thermoplastic film at a selvage portion thereof wherein the film is supported during cutting by a solid support surface, the waterjet is captured in the course of cutting in an open passage within the support and the open passage is bounded by the support surface such that good quality cutting of the film is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: First Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Harry A. Landeck
  • Patent number: 4957621
    Abstract: In a waterjet cutting system utilizing abrasives added to the cutting liquid, a liquid purifier is provided to remove the abrasives from the liquid before the liquid is disposed of including a disposable reservoir with a removable end plate sealingly engaged with the end of the reservoir. A baffle plate is rigidly connected to the end plate such that when the end plate is in position, the baffle plate will divide the interior of the reservoir into two compartments. An inlet nozzle is attached to the end plate to feed the liquid into one of the compartments on one side of the baffle plate, and an outlet nozzle is attached to the end plate on the other side of the baffle plate, such that the liquid must change directions when it travels from the inlet to the outlet nozzle to assist in the separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Pete Rohloff
  • Patent number: 4937985
    Abstract: An abrasive liquid jet cutting system has a cutting head for directing a jet of ultra high pressure water and grit to a work piece. The jet cuts the work piece in a desired pattern to form a product. The liquid from the jet, grit, and particulate materials of the work piece are collected with a receiver located generally below the cutting head. Controls for both the cutting head and receiver are coordinated to move the receiver along with the cutting head so that the water and particulate materials are collected by receiver. The receiver has an upright tubular member provided with wear resistant sleeves and an upright central rod to absorb the impact forces of the water and particulate materials that move through the receiver. A drive means connected to the tubular body operates to continuously rotate the tubular body, sleeves and rod to distribute the wear around the sleeves and rod caused by the water, grit and particulate materials that impinge thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Possis Corporation
    Inventors: Arie Boers, Mark R. Frich
  • Patent number: 4934112
    Abstract: The invention pertains to cutting irregularly shaped glass parts from glass blanks, and providing interior openings or cutouts in the parts, at a relatively high volume. Glass blanks are conveyed one-by-one to a transfer position beneath a shuttle carrier. The shuttle carrier picks up each sheet by means of vacuum cups and transfers it to the table of a cutting machine. A plurality of ganged abrasive jet cutting heads follows a prescribed path to cut a corresponding plurality of parts from the blank. The cutting heads then trace a second prescribed path to provide an interior cutout in each part. The ganged cutting heads may make additional passes to cut additional nested sets of parts from the blank. Upon completion of cutting, a second shuttle conveyor moves into position over the cutting table and, by means of vacuum cups thereon, picks up the individual parts and cutout portions and transfers them to a run-out conveyor for subsequent fabricating steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4934111
    Abstract: An abrasivejet system for cutting brittle materials is disclosed. One feature of the disclosed system is a jet-producing nozzle assembly which includes means for inducing turbulence in the jet-forming liquid during the period in which the jet initially impacts on the brittle material so that impact stress on the material is reduced. A second disclosed feature is a supplementary suction device, preferable in the form of a second nozzle dimensioned for maximum suction, which maintains a generally constant feed rate of abrasive into the cutting nozzle assembly during the turbulence-inducing phase of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Flow Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Hashish, Steven J. Craigen, Paul Tacheron
  • Patent number: 4931140
    Abstract: A method and a device for cutting an edge strip in a web by means of a water jet against a felt or wire of a paper machine for the threading of the web, whereby the end of the web is passed through the paper machine by means of the edge strip cut in the web, the edge strip being narrower than the web. In order to prevent the felt or wire from getting wet or being choked, the water jet is displaced back and forth across the direction of travel of the web so that the water jet cuts a gently wavelike edge in the edge strip. Correspondingly, the water used in the cutting and the filling agent or other such waste possibly separated from the web spread over the web over a wider area instead of spreading linearly, whereby the felt or wire will not get wet or choked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Oy Tampella AB
    Inventors: Pentti T. Peltola, Jounj R. R. Berggvist
  • Patent number: 4920841
    Abstract: An energy dissipating receptacle is shown which includes a body having an internal cavity and an aperture for receiving a high velocity stream of fluid. A stream dissipator is located within the internal cavity in alignment with the high velocity stream to dissipate the energy associated with this stream at an area of contact. A motor is provided for rotating the stream dissipator contact surface to increase the area of contact with the high velocity stream and increase the useful life of the stream dissipator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4916992
    Abstract: A laminate cutting apparatus has a support belt supported on a frame for reciprocating horizontally in the longitudinal direction, independently lowerable support plates juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction and retained on the frame for supporting the bottom of a laminate support portion of the belt, suction ports on opposing side portions of the frame for withdrawing air from the interior of the laminate supported on the support portion with its upper and lower surfaces covered with air-impermeable sheets, a longitudinally reciprocated travelling body supported on the frame, a transversely reciprocated cutter head supported on the travelling body, a cutter on the cutter head for being raised and lowered to cut the laminate, recess forming rollers for forming the support portion of the belt into a transversely extending movable recess open at the top, a lower receiving member secured to the travelling body and arranged in parallel with the rollers within the recess, interconnected closure plates within th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawakami Seisakusho
    Inventor: Nobuo Nasu
  • Patent number: 4913044
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a work object utilizing high pressure fluid. The apparatus includes an orientation conveyor which is operable to transport and selectively position the work object in a work station; a water manifold is mounted at the work station and is operable to move along a predetermined path of travel and to deliver a stream of high pressure fluid in the work station to cut the work object; and a control system is borne by the apparatus, and is adapted to coordinate the operation of the water manifold and the orientation conveyor such that the orientation conveyor positions the work object in the work station for a predetermined period of time and the water manifold is energized and directed along the path of travel to cut the work object in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lindsay Olive Growers
    Inventor: George F. Heath
  • Patent number: 4903559
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a repetitive arc cut in a continuous manner in a continuous supply of sheeting possessing edges, which involves providing a moving sheeting across a cutting area and passing through the area an arc-directed omnidirectional cutting means at and across an edge, in the general direction of the sheeting, to puncture a portion of the moving sheeting, maintaining the arc directed velocity of the omnidirectional cutting device at a rate greater than that of the directional velocity of the sheeting such that the puncture is enlarged to a lineal cut. The most favorable application of the invention involves the use of waterjet cutting to cut holes, especially primarily round holes, in multi-wall plastic constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: First Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Harry A. Landeck
  • Patent number: 4876934
    Abstract: A hydraulic splitter for cutting proofed dough pieces carried on a conveyor to form a chevron shaped pattern on the dough pieces. A manifold having multiple nozzles is movable along a guide rail by a timing belt driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a computerized system in conjunction with a pan velocity sensor and a pan position sensor for initiating a cycle of operation and controlling movement of the manifold transversely of the conveyor. One of a plurality of stored programs is selected for controlling the shape of the pattern formed on the dough piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Burford Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Fagan, A. Farrel Droke
  • Patent number: 4872293
    Abstract: For cutting sheet metal or other work by means of a jet of water containing abrasive particles, an abrasive water jet nozzle assembly is provided to which there are separately supplied highly pressurized water and an abrasive suspension. The abrasive suspension is such that abrasive particles with an average size of up to 100 microns are held in suspension in water. The abrasive suspension is introduced into the ejected water by virtue of a partial vacuum created in the nozzle assembly by the pressurized water. The nozzle assembly directs the resulting mixture as an abrasive water jet against the work for cutting thereof. Preferably, the abrasive water jet is recovered for recirculation back to the nozzle assembly as an abrasive suspension of controlled abrasive concentration. Various constructions of the nozzle assembly and various recovery systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Yasukawa, deceased, Masanori Kiyoshige, Takeshi Horikawa, Tomonobu Okada, Tadafumi Ochi, Yoshiaki Aoki, Masahiko Higashida, Takashi Kawashima, Shigeki Koe, Hideo Ono, Kanta Nihei, Syunji Takasugi, Koji Take
  • Patent number: 4848042
    Abstract: A system for closely controlling the standoff distance of a nozzle in a remotely controlled fluid jet abrasive cutting system. The system comprises a head assembly having a support section and a nozzle body. Control means move the head assembly along a desired cutting path relative to the workpiece. A nozzle is mounted in the nozzle body and oriented to dispense cutting fluid along an axis directed against the workpiece. The nozzle body and the support section are interconnected by means which function to bias the nozzle body relative to the mounting section in a direction along the cutting axis of the nozzle. The nozzle body is provided with a standoff member which is adapted to ride on a portion of the workpiece and which projects beyond the nozzle tip by a distance sufficient to hold the nozzle off of the workpiece by the desired standoff distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: LTV Aerospace and Defense Company
    Inventors: R. Craig Smith, John J. Allevato
  • Patent number: 4841620
    Abstract: A floating nozzle mount supports the high pressure nozzle of a hydraulic packing extraction tool in a movable, floating relationship relative to the stuffing-box of a pump, compressor, valve, or the like, such that as packing material within the stuffing box rises out of the stuffing box, the high pressure nozzle is progressively moved out of the stuffing box to reduce the possibility of canting and twisting of the packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Movats Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kadlub
  • Patent number: 4827679
    Abstract: A system and process for fluid jet cutting of a workpiece providing for self orientation of a catcher vessel. This invention comprises a cutting head adapted to be connected to the robot arm of a robotically controlled cutting system. A nozzle is mounted in the cutting head and adapted to dispense a jet cutting fluid stream along a cutting axis to be directed against a workpiece. The system further comprises a catcher assembly including a bracket supporting a catcher vessel having a receiving aperture. The catcher vessel contains a sacrificial material for dissipation of kinetic energy of the spent jet cutting stream. The supporting bracket includes an arm which depends from the cutting head along a traverse which is laterally offset from the cutting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: LTV Aerospace & Defense Company
    Inventor: George A. Earle, III
  • Patent number: 4826062
    Abstract: An agricultural marking device to disperse elongate strips of rolled paper-web material. A vertically orientated, cylindrical supply hopper has a securable lid. The lower portion of the hopper terminates in a conical transition directing web material in the hopper to an output channel. Drive rollers positioned adjacent to the output channel remove the web material from the supply hopper and deliver it through a downstream opening where a spray head is positioned. The spray head controllably directs a liquid spray onto the web material to separate it in the wetted region or dampen it to weight it. The device is secured to a mounting structure for mounting onto preselected portions of a propelling vehicle or an associated material dispensing device to thereby indicate a boundary of a portion of a traversed field by the web material deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventors: Haven E. Buob, Rebecca A. Buob
  • Patent number: 4799415
    Abstract: In an apparatus for cutting flat stock such as foil, strip, fiber-reinforced ribbons, or the like, a support structure for the stock to be cut includes two endless chains running parallel to each other at a fixed distance from each other; the chain link members are provided each with holding elements for uniformly distributed pins; steel strips or wires loop around the pins and extend across the space between the two chains establishing a support surface for flat stock, the strips or wires are oriented so that respective thin edges face a cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: MBB GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Gerdes
  • Patent number: 4790224
    Abstract: A travelling slot cutting machine and method of cutting a workpiece upon the machine in which there are two independently operable and longitudinally aligned, endless conveyor belts, the adjacent ends of which are spaced apart to define a gap through which a cutting medium may be directed. To cut a workpiece supported over the gap, the cutting medium is directed through the gap while the cutting machine, as well as the gap, are moved longitudinally relative to the stationary workpiece. In moving the gap, the conveyors are clamped against movement over their respective supporting rollers. The supporting rollers are then moved in such a fashion that the length of at least one of the conveyor belts is maintained unchanged as the workpiece is transported from the upper run of one of the conveyor belts to the upper run of the other conveyor belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Belcan Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Krutilla, John Klein
  • Patent number: 4787178
    Abstract: A sheet of glass or similar material is moved to and in the cutting area of the apparatus by sheet gripping assemblies that engage and grip an edge portion of the sheet, and that undergo precise controlled movement. A fluid-jet discharging nozzle moves above the sheet along a path of travel normal to the sheet movement. Belts supportively underlying the sheet are driven sufficiently in unison therewith to minimize possible scratching or other marring of the glass. To the same end, the lower portion of the fluid-jet nozzle is of tapered shape. Sheet-engaging clamps of the gripping assemblies are moveable in a manner adapted to prevent damage to the glass sheets engaged thereby. Positioning structure may be provided for receiving and positioning the glass sheets preparatory to the cutting thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Creative Glassworks International, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Michael Morgan, W. Douglas Hipp, Henry R. Sterner, L. Bruce Moore
  • Patent number: 4738174
    Abstract: A fluid jet cutting system is described having a nozzle (12) through which a fluid jet is directed for cutting a workpiece (15). The workpiece (15) is supported using pins (17) each of which is provided with an alignment device in the form of a generally tubular body (104) provided with a through hole (106). The relative positions of the nozzle and workpiece (15) can be adjusted until the fluid jet passes through the through hole (106) with minimum disturbance.In alternative embodiments, the alignment device may be provided by a cap permanently affixed in an alignment plate, or it may be constituted by the pin (17) itself.The alignment system provides a simple method for visually verifying the jet alignment to a reference point before controlled cutting is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Bloomquist
  • Patent number: 4728379
    Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of laminated glass, comprising glass sheets and plastic sheets. In the manufacture, glass and plastic sheets are each cut to a final dimension desired for use in laminated glass, assembled in a preliminary way, and, then, by the action of temperature and pressure formed to the laminate. The cutting of the plastic sheets, is carried out more particularly a plastic sheet of polyvinyl butyral as an interlayer between outer sheets of silicate glass is carried out by a high pressure water jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Josef Audi, Kurt Blank, Friedrich Halberschmidt, Heinz Kunert, Paul Roentgen
  • Patent number: 4711789
    Abstract: The shelf life of vegetables such as raw celery can be substantially increased by subjecting the raw celery to a process including selecting a portion of the celery that has characteristic chemical and physiological properties found in petioles of market mature celery, (b) slicing the celery to minimize bruising and tissue damage caused by tearing and compression, (c) treating the cut celery with water, (d) drying the surface of the cut celery, and (e) placing the pieces of celery in a sealed container to prevent microbial recontamination and maintain the celery in a viable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: DNA Plant Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Avigdor Orr, John O. Spingler
  • Patent number: 4702042
    Abstract: Cutting strengthened glass by means of a high velocity fluid jet. A suitable fluid is placed under high pressure and directed against the surface of the glass in a highly collimated stream of small diameter at high velocity. Very fine abrasive particles are aspirated into the high velocity stream prior to its impingement upon the glass to serve as a cutting medium for the strengthened glass. The pressure of the fluid is reduced when starting the cut to avoid venting of the glass during initial penetration, and the pressure is then increased for movement of the fluid jet along the desired line of cut. The relationship between fluid pressure, line speed and abrasive grit size is carefully controlled to produce a smooth cut free from vents and chips so as to avoid failure of the strengthened unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
    Inventors: Richard A. Herrington, Thomas G. Kleman, Ermelinda A. Apolinar
  • Patent number: 4698939
    Abstract: A catcher for use in liquid and abrasive-laden liquid jet cutting apparatus that includes a separate fluid-filled chamber for reducing noise. The catcher also provides for increasing the speed of return flow to reduce the length of fluid required to absorb the kinetic energy of a jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Flow System, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammed A. Hashish
  • Patent number: 4693153
    Abstract: A method of controlling the cutting of an object comprising pressurizing a fluid; forming from said pressurized fluid a fluid jet adapted to cut the object; directing the said object-cutting jet towards the object and, when it is not desired to cut the object, preventing the object-cutting jet from reaching the object while maintaining the pressurization of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Gunson's Sortex Limited
    Inventors: Ronald C. Wainwright, Lawrence R. Beesley
  • Patent number: 4686877
    Abstract: The liquid jet cutting machine contains at least one cutting head provided with an apparatus for producing high-pressure liquid at pressures in excess of 1000 bar. The cutting head delivers a high-pressure liquid cutting jet and is preferably movable or guideable along a predetermined cutting path. An apparatus is provided for holding the workpiece to be cut at least during the cutting operation. At least the high-pressure liquid producing apparatus, preferably inclusive of a drive and/or auxiliary aggregate, the cutting head, the holding apparatus and a cutting jet collector are connected with a common frame and form a positionally displaceable transport unit. The cutting head is preferably automatically controllable in its movements by a guiding apparatus which constitutes an industrial robot. The holding apparatus may also perform controllable movements and preferably contains an infeed and/or outfeed device for the workpiece to be cut, as well as a drain device for the spent jet liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft (VEW)
    Inventors: Erich Jaritz, Gunter Krammer
  • Patent number: 4669229
    Abstract: An energy-dissipating receptacle for use with a fluid jet cutting system is disclosed wherein the interior cavity of the receptacle has generally converging sidewalls in the direction of jet flow. A plurality of circulating suspensoids within the cavity are impinged upon by the jet to dissipate the jet's kinetic energy. Means are included for permitting the egress of spent jet fluid while retaining the suspensoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Uwe Ehlbeck
  • Patent number: 4665949
    Abstract: In the embodiment depicted, the catcher, for use with a liquid-jet-cutting equipment, comprises a housing in which is formed a chamber, and the chamber replaceably confines an impingement block. A channel opens into the chamber and onto the block for admitting and dissipating a stream of spent, cutting liquid, and for directing the liquid through a discharge port in the housing to a reservoir. The impingement block is replaceable in the housing by removing a threaded closure from an underlying housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Raymond M. Jordan
  • Patent number: 4658683
    Abstract: A weld is dressed using a high-pressure abrasive-in-liquid cutting head to remove material from the region of the junction between the weld bead and the adjacent surface portion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Jetin Industrial Limited
    Inventor: Robert Phillips
  • Patent number: 4651476
    Abstract: An energy-dissipating receptacle is disclosed for use with fluid jet cutting systems. The receptacle includes a volume of suspensoids which circulate within the cavity to at least substantially dissipate the kinetic energy of the fluid jet, together with means for automatically maintaining an effective volume of suspensoids in the cavity as the suspensoid volume is decreased by the wearing action of the fluid jet impingement.The effective volume of suspensoids are preferably maintained by means of a filler tube having a discharge end positioned within the receptacle to effectively regulate the suspensoid volume.By including means for maintaining an effective volume of suspensoids during the cutting process, the receptacle may be fabricated with compact dimensions for enhanced maneuverability when coupled to a fluid jet nozzle for coordinated movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Emil A. Marx, Bruce L. Amundsen, Curtis L. Anderson, Glenn A. Erichsen, Timothy D. Wood
  • Patent number: 4622718
    Abstract: Flexible, tubular and inflatable sausage casings are cleanly severed during continuous shirring operations without formation of troublesome loose tab-ends by impinging thin, high pressure, high velocity water jet(s) against casing sidewall. Severing may be performed over a shirring mandrel without damage to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Teepak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Glanz, Gerald E. Miner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4620466
    Abstract: Machine for cutting strip-like material by a high pressure fluid jet comprising a substantially flat bearing surface able to support the strip-like material a cutting nozzle discharging a fluid jet under high pressure towards the strip-like material, means for displacing the nozzle in a direction Y perpendicular to the strip length, wherein it also comprises means for displacing the strip-like material in both senses according to a direction X parallel to the length of the strip, in such a way that the combined displacements of the strip-like material and the nozzle make it possible to make cuts of a random shape over a random length of the said strip-like material, wherein the bearing surface of the machine upstream of the cutting nozzle and on either side of the means for displacing the strip-like material, is in the form of a fixed table on which the latter moves within a guidance tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Industrielle et Aerospatiale
    Inventors: Jean P. Jumel, Bernard Guala
  • Patent number: 4594924
    Abstract: The liquid jet cutting apparatus contains a cutter head with a nozzle block and a jet exit opening which communicates with a jet discharge passage. A jet of a pressurized liquid cutting medium is formed in the cutter head and the jet exiting from the jet exit opening passes through the jet discharge passage without contacting the wall thereof. The jet discharge passage communicates through an opening in its wall with a pressure transmission line connecting a gas space formed in the jet discharge passage with a pressure sensor. A transmitter is operatively associated with the pressure sensor and is operated when the pressure in the gas space of the jet discharge passage exceeds or drops below a predetermined pressure threshold value. The transmitter acts upon an actuator or control member of a cut-off device or throughflow regulator which is arranged in the liquid supply line which supplies the pressurized liquid cutting medium to the cutter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Vereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Windisch
  • Patent number: 4592698
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing covering material from a bale of, for example, Oriental tabacco leaves at production line speeds which causes only minimal damage to the underlying bale and only minimal contamination of the underlying bale with particles, fragments and/or fibers of the covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Philip Morris Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Semp, Robert B. Giovenco
  • Patent number: 4573382
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a web of material having a conveyor carrying and continuously moving a length of the web material, an oscillating means, a cutting arm mounted on the oscillating means and moveable between a position over the web and a position laterally outside of the web in a turn-around area. A nozzle mounted on the cutting arm and connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a fluid jet ejected from the nozzle towards the web and moved by the cutting arm in an oscillating manner along a path between the turn-around area and the position over the web. As the fluid jet oscillates along its path, the movement of the fluid jet in conjunction with the movement of the web results in the cutting out of a section of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt J. Kloehn, Gregory J. Rajala, Kent W. Abel
  • Patent number: 4567796
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a web of material having a conveyor carrying and continuously moving a length of the web material, an oscillating means, a cutting arm mounted on the oscillating means and moveable between a position over the web and a position laterally outside of the web in a turn-around area. A nozzle mounted on the cutting arm and connected to a source of high pressure fluid and a fluid jet ejected from the nozzle towards the web and moved by the cutting arm in an oscillating manner along a path between the turn-around area and the position over the web. As the fluid jet oscillates along its path, the movement of the fluid jet in conjunction with the movement of the web results in the cutting out of a section of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt J. Kloehn, Gregory J. Rajala, Kent W. Abel
  • Patent number: 4532949
    Abstract: An energy absorber for a high pressure and velocity fluid jet emanating from a nozzle is disclosed. An energy absorbing ball is freely rotatably supported in an energy absorbing chamber between seat faces. The high pressure and velocity fluid enters the energy absorbing zones and strikes the ball, causing it to rotate. The energy of the fluid is thereby substantially reduced. Since the ball is constantly in motion, a new surface is continually being brought into contact with the high energy fluid stream. This insures uniform wear of the ball as well as a long life. The ball and seats are disposed in a first end of a fluid flow conduit whose second end is carried in an adjustable support block which is in fluid communication with a fluid return line. The support block allows the spacing between the nozzle and the energy absorber to be varied to accommodate varying thicknesses of materials being cut by the high pressure fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Ed Frank
  • Patent number: 4435902
    Abstract: A fluid jet cutter using an articulated boom support system is disclosed. The cutter utilizes a support system which allows rotational translation in all three axes. The boom system allows displacement of the cutter over a broad area. A jet catcher is attached to the cutter head to catch the cutting jet. A deadman switch arrangement prevents the operator from contacting the cutting jet. A vacuum system is linked to the catcher and a column that supports the boom to remove cutting debris and waste fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Flow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, John H. Olsen, Stephen Elkins
  • Patent number: 4409716
    Abstract: A cast wheel body is formed with an angular slot for receiving a hammerhead bolt used to fasten a wheel rim to the wheel body with an angle piece cast in this slot being pushed outwardly by means of a vertically movable tool which deburs the areas where the angle piece is broken away and the adjacent walls of the wheel rim while also leveling the bolt support and compressing the wall for the bolt to a predetermined thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Urs Buttiker
  • Patent number: 4377059
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system comprising a plurality of inverted-T runners. Kerfed edge ceiling tile supported by runners and concealing the bottom of the runners. At least one ceiling tile having a central portion removable therefrom by being separable along a substantially vertical fine cut made by high pressure fluid jet cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Albert F. Kuhr
  • Patent number: 4308774
    Abstract: A device for cutting a hole out of a moving web such as plastic film comprising a suction cup for pulling the film against a vacuum source, terminating in a knife edge contained within the suction cup to cut the hole out of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard M. Bohler, Edward D. Reed, Victor A. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 4286935
    Abstract: An earth and sand conveyor system comprising a hopper adapted to receive dumped earth and sand, a trough connected to the hopper, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the hopper and the trough, a consolidating pipe connected to the trough, a molding pipe connected to the consolidating pipe, a conveyor pipe connected to the molding pipe, a first nozzle formed in the wall of the molding pipe, a second nozzle formed in the wall of the conveyor pipe, an air compressor connected to the first and second nozzles, and a directional control valve disposed between the air compressor and the first and second nozzles for alternately supplying the compressed air to the first and second nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noboru Okuno, Takashi Takeuchi, Akihiko Tsuzuku, Masao Tanazawa, Minoru Nakajima, Haruo Imamura
  • Patent number: 4272017
    Abstract: A method for improved penetration of a work material using a high velocity fluid jet from a nozzle element by providing a sealed chamber between a surface of the work material and the nozzle element is described. With hard and/or irregular materials, a deformable element is provided between the nozzle element and the work surface so that the deformable element conforms to the surface to effect the seal. A preferred nozzle element assembly including the deformable element is also described. The method is particularly adapted to mining operations such as coal, hard rock excavation, and wood impregnation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventor: Norman C. Franz
  • Patent number: 4266112
    Abstract: A cutting method and apparatus using a plurality of impact-type laser or water jet cutters mounted on a framework above a moving web. The cutters are disposed in a spaced relationship to each other along a line parallel with the direction of web travel. By spacing the cutters a distance substantially equal to the desired product length, each of the cutters simultaneously cut from the web similar portions of one side of each of two consecutive products. The cutters are arranged so that as the web moves one product length, each of said cutters cuts from the web on the other side of a substantially central axis similar portions of the other side of said products. Embodiments include means to increase or decrease velocity of the cutters when mounted on a second framework which is also movable in a direction parallel to the direction of the web movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 4249438
    Abstract: A sheet cutting method and apparatus wherein a fluid pervious die plate or wall having projecting cutting edges is located facing a sheet to be worked, and a vacuum is transmitted through the wall to draw the sheet against the cutting edges for severance of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Inventor: Albert W. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4248110
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of cutting a substantially polymeric belt-defining sleeve to define a plurality of endless power transmission belt constructions are provided by rotating such belt sleeve on a rotating apparatus and cutting a plurality of axially spaced cuts through the sleeve with jet nozzle means disposed at a fixed position and with the jet nozzle means providing high velocity liquid jet means to define an endless power transmission belt construction between associated pairs of cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Dayco Corporation
    Inventor: Paul L. Spivy
  • Patent number: 4246838
    Abstract: Apparatus for slitting the upper surfaces of a plurality of parallel rows of proofed dough pieces on a conveyor, including a plurality of spray nozzles respectively in general vertical alignment with the longitudinal midline of the path of each row of proofed dough pieces, a supply of fluid for the nozzles and sprayable thereby in a stream against the upper surfaces of the proofed dough pieces, sensing mechanism for sensing the arrival of the rows of proofed dough pieces between the nozzles, and control mechanism responsive to the sensing mechanism for causing each nozzle to impinge a stream of fluid upon the skin of the associated row of proofed dough pieces as they arrive therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Velten & Pulver, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Clark Pulver, William O. Pulver, Henry A. Heide, James J. Diver
  • Patent number: 4216687
    Abstract: Method for shaping and/or cutting batts of loosely compacted fibrous material into individual panels of specific shapes without ragged edges or hard-cut edges. A pair of rolls rotating in opposite directions, with high-pressure air blown from the surface of one roll to a recessed portion of the other in a spaced apart nip area used to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson
    Inventors: Anthony Passafiume, Clarence F. Lamber, William Dickover
  • Patent number: 4183987
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board having a kerfed edge along substantially the full length of at least one edge wherein the kerf has sidewalls inclined opposingly inwardly toward one another but do not intersect and are joined by a bottom surface of uneven profile characterized by alternately and irregularly spaced projections and depressions. The uneven bottom surface and each sidewall meet at a jagged intersection. Said kerfed edge provides enhanced strength in a direction perpendicular to the sidewalls providing improved board retention by flanged supports over that of conventional mechanically sawn kerfed edge boards. A process for providing kerfed edge gypsum board is also disclosed which comprises projecting into the board edge a first and second fine stream of aqueous liquid which incline toward one another at angles of incidence to a line perpendicular to the board edge which provides a combined angle therebetween of from about 3.degree. to about 20.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Eby, Nels Nelsson