Abstract: A seal carrier is provided for an ultrahigh-pressure fluid system having a plunger configured to reciprocate therein along a longitudinal axis when the ultra-high pressure fluid system is in operation, the seal carrier having an inner surface provided with a first portion configured to captively receive a seal, substantially preventing displacement of the seal in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second portion configured to circumferentially surround a bearing. The seal carrier is further provided with an outer surface having a recess formed along at least a portion of a circumference thereof, the recess at least partially positioned opposite the first portion of the inner surface along a lateral axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a configurable positioning apparatus and machining system for processing a workpiece retained by the positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus has different configurations for retaining different types of workpieces, such as panels, fuselages, airfoil skins, and engine housings. The positioning apparatus includes a first support rail and a second support rail spaced apart from the first support rail. The first and second support rails support a plurality of stackable headers that cooperate to position the workpiece. The headers have adjustable heights along their lengths in order to accommodate the shape of the workpiece.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to process a workpiece. The processing apparatus can have a low-profile nozzle system capable of navigating through spaces in order to process target regions with relatively small clearances. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to cut, mill, or otherwise process the target region of the workpiece.

Abstract: A fluid jet system for achieving a kerf width less than 0.015 inches is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes an orifice mount having a high-pressure fluid bore and an abrasive bore configured to communicate an abrasive mixture in form of a paste or foam to at least a portion of the high-pressure fluid bore. The system further includes a pressure-generating bore and a thin kerf mixing tube respectively provided toward opposing longitudinal ends of the mount body, minimizing a distance therebetween. A method of in-situ recycling of abrasives in the high-pressure fluid jet system includes catching the exiting abrasive-fluid mixture in a catching device, filtering the mixture in a filtering device, and directly pumping the filtered abrasive-fluid mixture to the mixing area without requiring conditioning of the mixture to remove liquids.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet includes an end effector assembly coupled to a manipulator that imparts motion to the end effector. The end effector assembly includes a cutting head coupled to a source of high-pressure fluid and to a source of abrasive. A motion assembly is coupled to the cutting head via a clamp positioned around the cutting head. A nozzle body assembly is removably coupled to the cutting head assembly, which may be separated from the cutting head assembly to allow access to the orifice, without removing the cutting head assembly from the clamp. The clamp has a quick release mechanism and an alignment member. The motion assembly includes two motors coupled together to form a gimbal wrist, each motor having a horizontal axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other, but are not necessarily aligned with the manipulator's axes of motion.

Abstract: A fluid jet system for achieving a kerf width less than 0.015 inches is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes an orifice mount having a high-pressure fluid bore and an abrasive bore configured to communicate an abrasive mixture in form of a paste or foam to at least a portion of the high-pressure fluid bore. The system further includes a pressure-generating bore and a thin kerf mixing tube respectively provided toward opposing longitudinal ends of the mount body, minimizing a distance therebetween. A method of in-situ recycling of abrasives in the high-pressure fluid jet system includes catching the exiting abrasive-fluid mixture in a catching device, filtering the mixture in a filtering device, and directly pumping the filtered abrasive-fluid mixture to the mixing area without requiring conditioning of the mixture to remove liquids.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided to surface-finish or otherwise process features of a workpiece, such as a lumen of a stent. The fluid jet apparatus can have a nozzle system and a holder for holding and positioning the workpiece with respect to the nozzle system. A fluid jet outputted from the nozzle system is used to form a desired surface-finish.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet includes an assembly coupled to a motion assembly that imparts motion to the assembly along one or more axes. The motion assembly includes two motors coupled together to form a gimbal wrist, each motor having an axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation of the two motors can be perpendicular to each other, but are not necessarily aligned with the manipulator's axes of motion. The high-pressure fluid assembly incorporates a swivel that can rotate about two axes which may be parallel to the two motors' axes of rotation, allowing the high-pressure tubing contained therein to follow the motion imparted by the gimbal wrist of the motion assembly.

Abstract: A pressure enclosure includes a first component having an opening, a second component coupled to the first component in a position over the opening, a third component positioned between the first and second components and covering the opening, and a load chamber defined by a space between the second and third components and configured such that pressure in the load chamber biases the third component against the first component to seal the opening. The pressure enclosure may be a cylinder of a pump for pressurizing fluid or gas, with the first component a cylinder body, the second component an end cap and the third component a valve body, with the load chamber biasing the valve body against the cylinder body.

Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.

Abstract: A seal carrier is provided for an ultrahigh-pressure fluid system having a plunger configured to reciprocate therein along a longitudinal axis when the ultra-high pressure fluid system is in operation, the seal carrier having an inner surface provided with a first portion configured to captively receive a seal, substantially preventing displacement of the seal in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second portion configured to circumferentially surround a bearing. The seal carrier is further provided with an outer surface having a recess formed along at least a portion of a circumference thereof, the recess at least partially positioned opposite the first portion of the inner surface along a lateral axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.

Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.

Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.

Abstract: A contour follower includes a plurality of sensors spaced around a waterjet nozzle, each of the sensors being configured to measure a distance between a working surface and a first plane, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The sensors may include hall-effect sensors lying in the first plane and magnets lying in a second plane, parallel to the working surface. A detecting circuit processes signals from the sensors to determine an angle of the working surface, relative to the first plane, and a distance between an aperture of the nozzle and the working surface. A collision detection sensor provides a signal in the event the device approaches to within a selected distance of an obstruction in the plane of the working surface. A shield plate blocks and dampens secondary spray-back of cutting fluid occurring at low angles above the working surface.

Abstract: An ultrahigh-pressure fluid system, such as an ultrahigh-pressure fluid pump, includes an improved dynamic seal assembly that can withstand pressures above 40,000 psi, and more preferably, pressures up to and beyond 87,000 psi. The dynamic sealing assembly includes a plastic seal having a bore through which the plunger reciprocates, and a bearing positioned adjacent the seal, also having a bore through which the plunger reciprocates. A seal carrier surrounds the circumference of the bearing and is subjected to a compressive force that is sufficiently high to circumferentially collapse the seal carrier in a radial direction against the bearing. This collapse of the seal carrier against the bearing causes an inner surface of the bore through the bearing to achieve substantially uniform contact with an outer surface of the plunger when the assembly is subjected to ultrahigh-pressure, thereby eliminating gaps that occur in prior art systems.

Abstract: A fluid jet system includes an upstream high-pressure body having a high-pressure bore axially positioned, a retaining nut configured to couple to the upstream high-pressure body, and an orifice mount assembly. The retaining nut includes a mounting chamber configured to laterally receive the orifice mount assembly without application of a torque while the retaining nut is coupled to the upstream high-pressure body and the system is at ambient pressure. A face seal may be mounted in either a downstream portion of the high-pressure bore or the orifice mount assembly to provide a high-pressure seal while the system is pressurized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a stepwise depressurization of a high-pressure fluid (liquid) filled chamber are shown and described. At least two valves are controllably opened and closed in a sequence to release a predetermined amount of pressure from the high-pressure chamber. At least some of the pressurized fluid released from the high-pressure chamber is stored, at least temporarily, in a second pressure chamber. The second pressure chamber is located between the two controllable valves. A control system controls the valves in response to a signal from at least one pressure sensor coupled to the high-pressure chamber. Additional components can be included in the system such as a pressure intensifier and a high-pressure pump, both coupled to the high-pressure chamber, and at least one other pressure sensor to improve the accuracy of the measured pressure in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: Crabs are exposed to water at a temperature of 70-120° F. and a pressure of at least 35,000 psi, thereby denaturing the crab meat protein, allowing for the easy and complete removal of the meat as well as the visceral mass and gonadal materials from the exoskeleton and body cavities of the crabs, and preventing unwanted darkening of the meat. As a result, the quantity and quality of meat recovered from crabs are optimized, as opposed to conventional systems that involve cooking the meat to remove it from the crab.