Contour follower for tool

US7331842B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Flow International Corporation · US

Inventors

• Felice M. Sciulli · Issaquah, US
• Andreas Meyer · Neibsheim, DE
• Robert J. Mann · Puyallup, US
• Michael Knaupp · Eppingen, DE
• Charles M. Wakefield · Puyallup, US
• Chidambaram Raghavan · Seattle, US
• Andrew P. Sterne · Seattle, US
• Glenn A. Erichsen · Everett, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 2004
• Grant date: Feb 19, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 29, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T83/0591
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.