Abstract: A check valve assembly adapted for connection to a high pressure reciprocating pump cylinder, comprising valve body means, inlet check valve means and outlet check valve means. The valve body means has an inlet end adapted for connection to the pump cylinder and an outlet end adapted for connection to a high pressure outlet line. The inlet end has a planar surface adapted to be exposed to the interior of the pump cylinder. The valve body means also includes a low pressure inlet passage opening in the planar surface for providing communication with a source of low pressure fluid and a high pressure outlet passage extending between the planar surface and the outlet end. Such passages are parallel to one another and spaced apart a distance at least as great as the radius of the high pressure outlet passage. The inlet check valve means is mounted entirely on the exposed planar surface in association with the inlet passage and prevents high pressure fluid backflow into the inlet passage.

Abstract: An ultra high pressure water jet cutting nozzle is disclosed which comprises a lightweight poppet valve assembly coupled by a lost motion connection to a valve actuator. The poppet valve assembly seals directly to the jet-forming element of the nozzle insuring continuous high pressure fluid in the system at all times. The maintenance of constant high fluid pressure in the system protects the supply tubing of the system against damage due to pressure waves generated by repeated opening and closing of the valve assembly. The maintenance of continuous high fluid pressure also prevents dislodgement of the jet-forming element of the nozzle.

Abstract: Water at a very high pressure (e.g. fifty thousand psi) is directed through a nozzle orifice to produce a coherent high velocity water jet particularly adapted for cutting. Prior to pressurizing the water and directing it through the nozzle, the water is treated to remove dissolved solids, desirably to an extremely low level to provide very pure water (e.g. where the total dissolved solids are as little as ten parts per million or lower). This is done by directing the water through several ion exchange reactions to precipitate the solids which are then removed by filtering. The operating life of the nozzle is greatly extended by this process.

Abstract: An expansible drive shaft tool mechanism is disclosed in which mutually cooperating parallel drive shafts carry tool elements that can be shifted into and locked by shaft expansion in any of selected positions along such drive shafts. Applied hydraulic pressure in a sealed chamber causes outward expansion of a flexible outer sleeve member on each such shaft to grip the tool elements. An inner sleeve member closely encircled by the outer sleeve member and joined in sealed relationship therewith at opposite end portions forms the radially thin elongated annular sealed chamber into which the pressurized hydraulic fluid is forced by the action of a plunger type hydraulic pressure source housed inside the inner sleeve member cavity. Actuation of the hydraulic pressure source plunger passing through a cylindrical fluid take-up chamber by longitudinal displacement is effected by means of a pneumatic piston energizable through a connecting line including a low pressure rotary seal or union.

Abstract: A pressure intensifying apparatus to deliver a very high pressure stream of water through a nozzle. There is a single working piston having two pressure surfaces of a relatively large area, the working piston being connected to two high pressure pistons each having a pressure surface of a relatively small area. A control valve delivers a high pressure working fluid alternately to opposite sides of the working piston to cause it to reciprocate so that the pressure pistons alternately deliver water at high pressure to the nozzle.