Apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet

US7464630B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Flow International Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael Knaupp · Eppingen, DE
• Charles D. Burnham · Southbury, US
• Mohamed A. Hashish · Bellevue, US
• Robert J. Mann · Puyallup, US
• Mira Sahney · Boston, US
• C. David Bader · Louisville, US
• Andreas Meyer · Neibsheim, DE
• Sean A. Vaughan · Sumner, US
• Thomas Pesek · Ankeny, US
• Jonathan M. Stewart · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 27, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T83/8726
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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.