HIGH-PRESSURE WATERJET CUTTING HEAD SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

A waterjet cutting head assembly is provided which includes an orifice unit to generate a high-pressure waterjet, a nozzle body and a nozzle component coupled to the nozzle body with the orifice unit positioned therebetween. The nozzle component may include a waterjet passage, at least one jet alteration passage and at least one environment control passage. The jet alteration passage may intersect with the waterjet passage to enable selective alteration of the waterjet during operation via the introduction of a secondary fluid or application of a vacuum. The environment control passage may include one or more downstream portions aligned relative to the fluid jet passage so that gas passed through the environment control passage during operation is directed to impinge on an exposed surface of a workpiece at or adjacent to a location where the waterjet is cutting the workpiece. Other high-pressure waterjet cutting systems, components and related methods are also provided.

主权项

1. A nozzle component of a high-pressure waterjet cutting system that includes an end effector assembly configured to receive high-pressure water and generate a high-pressure waterjet for processing a workpiece, the nozzle component comprising:
a unitary body having:
a waterjet passage extending through the unitary body along an axis, the waterjet passage including an inlet at an upstream end thereof and an outlet at a downstream end thereof;at least one jet alteration passage extending through the unitary body and intersecting with the waterjet passage between the inlet and the outlet thereof to enable selective alteration of the waterjet during operation as the waterjet travels through the waterjet passage and is discharged through the outlet; andat least one environment control passage extending through the unitary body and having at least a downstream portion aligned relative to the fluid jet passage so that gas passed through the environment control passage during operation is directed to impinge on the workpiece at or adjacent a waterjet impingement location.