Abstract: A distributor valve for a hydrocutting system. The valve automatically diverts a flow of liquid and solid food products flowing from a source to one or both of two destinations. An entry conduit receives the suspended food products in liquid, and an angled plate deflects the food products downwardly. The food products and liquid enter a drum that is perpendicular to the entry conduit, causing rotational circulation in the drum. The food products and liquid flow into one or both of two longitudinally opposite outlets, depending on whether the path downstream of the outlets is flowing. Upon actuation of a valve on one side, or essentially complete blockage of one side, the fluid and products flow to the other side automatically. No moving parts are needed in the valve to change the flow path; the only change is to the flow downstream, which automatically affects the flow in the valve.

Abstract: A distributor valve for a hydrocutting system. The valve automatically diverts a flow of liquid and solid food products flowing from a source to one or both of two destinations. An entry conduit receives the suspended food products in liquid, and an angled plate deflects the food products downwardly. The food products and liquid enter a drum that is perpendicular to the entry conduit, causing rotational circulation in the drum. The food products and liquid flow into one or both of two longitudinally opposite outlets, depending on whether the path downstream of the outlets is flowing. Upon actuation of a valve on one side, or essentially complete blockage of one side, the fluid and products flow to the other side automatically. No moving parts are needed in the valve to change the flow path; the only change is to the flow downstream, which automatically affects the flow in the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for a hydraulic cutting system having a pump that propels solid food products suspended in a working liquid through a blade. An elongated case is mounted in, and is longitudinally-movable relative to, a frame. The case has at least one rigid member connected to an upstream ring and extending to a downstream ring. A substantially flexible, tapered tube is mounted within, and substantially coaxially to, the case. At least a first portion of the case is moveable from a closed position, in which the tapered tube is retained in the case, to an opened position, in which the tapered tube may be removed from the case, relative to a second portion of the case.

Abstract: An acceleration tube for use in a hydro-cutting system. A flexible, tapered tube is mounted in a rigid cylindrical housing. Flanges formed at opposite ends of the flexible tube mount adjacent ends of the rigid housing, forming an annular chamber radially between the tube and the housing, and longitudinally between the flanges. A centralizing ring maintains the outlet end of the tube aligned coaxially with the cutting assembly of the hydro-cutting system, but is difficult to bypass during insertion of the tube into the housing. A fluid valve is used to inject fluid into the chamber to force the outlet end flange past the centralizing ring during installation of the tube in the housing.

Abstract: An acceleration tube for use in a hydro-cutting system. A flexible, tapered tube is mounted in a rigid cylindrical housing. Flanges formed at opposite ends of the flexible tube mount adjacent ends of the rigid housing, forming an annular chamber radially between the tube and the housing, and longitudinally between the flanges. A centralizing ring maintains the outlet end of the tube aligned coaxially with the cutting assembly of the hydro-cutting system, but is difficult to bypass during insertion of the tube into the housing. A fluid valve is used to inject fluid into the chamber to force the outlet end flange past the centralizing ring during installation of the tube in the housing.