Patent US3978748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3978748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid jet cutting system
Assignee: Gerber Camsco Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-30
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1995-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed utilizing a high strength fluid jet in an operative cutting system. A computer driven carriage and nozzle movable on the carriage effectuate cutting in the X-Y direction and a sensor arrangement is used to position the nozzle in the Z-direction. The workpiece rests on a flexible wire bed which supports the workpiece and at the same time allows a fluid catcher to pass under the workpiece in registration with the nozzle. A support channeled for allow for movement of the fluid catcher provides support for the workpiece in the area of the cut.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer N. Leslie
- 👤 Bobby L. Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:08
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/004; B26F2210/00; B26F2210/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0591; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/173; Y10T83/175; Y10T83/178; Y10T83/364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: a. a source of fluid; b. means for intensifying the pressure of said fluid coupled to said source; c. means for supporting the workpiece comprising a plurality of flexible supports; d. a nozzle movable in relation to said support means; e. conduit means communicating between said nozzle and said intensifying means for supplying fluid under pressure to said nozzle; f. means to effectuate a discharge of fluid from said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; g. means disposed under said support means, on the side of the workpiece opposite the nozzle and movable in correspondence with the movement of said nozzle to receive the fluid discharge from the nozzle and thereby reduce the splashback of fluid on the workpiece; h. a sensor for determining the distance between the nozzle and the workpiece; and i. means for moving the nozzle to vary the distance between the nozzle and the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: a. a source of fluid; b. means for intensifying the pressure of said fluid coupled to said source; c. means for supporting the workpiece comprising a plurality of flexible supports; d. a nozzle movable in relation to said support means; e. conduit means communicating between said nozzle and said intensifying means for supplying fluid under pressure to said nozzle; f. means to effectuate a discharge of fluid from said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; g. means disposed under said support means, on the side of the workpiece opposite the nozzle and movable in correspondence with the movement of said nozzle to receive the fluid discharge from the nozzle and thereby reduce the splashback of fluid on the workpiece; h. a sensor for determining the distance between the nozzle and the workpiece; and i. means for moving the nozzle to vary the distance between the nozzle and the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for effectuating discharge of fluid includes a computer, said computer being programmed to move said nozzle in accordance to a preselected cutting path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including data storage means operably coupled to the computer for providing data input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid is water and the intensifier generates pressures in the order of 60,000 psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the workpiece includes a plurality of wires disposed under the workpiece and tensioned sufficiently to support the workpiece, but elastic to deflect under the application of fluid pressure without being cut by the fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the wires form a grid and are made from spring steel in the order of 0.015 inch in diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the workpiece is a rigid material such a shoe material or wallboard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the workpiece includes a rigid member movable in registration with said nozzle and under said workpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the workpiece is comprised of multiple layers of thin flexible materials such as fabric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The appratus of claim 1 including means for moving said workpiece to said support means and removing said workpiece when the cutting operation has been completed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for moving the workpiece includes a series of conveyors to move the workpiece to and from the means for supporting said workpiece.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of cutting a workpiece, comprising the step of: a. generating fluid under pressure in the range of 30,000 to 60,000 psi; b. transporting said fluid under pressure in a cutting nozzle; c. positioning and supporting a workpiece under said nozzle; d. directing the stream of fluid through said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; e. moving said nozzle in a predetermined path to cut a pattern through said workpiece; f. positioning a device for receiving fluid expelled from the nozzle and moving said device in correspondence with the movement of the nozzle; and g. sensing the distance between said nozzle and said workpiece and adjusting the nozzle to maintain a selected distance between it and the workpiece.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of cutting a workpiece, comprising the step of: a. generating fluid under pressure in the range of 30,000 to 60,000 psi; b. transporting said fluid under pressure in a cutting nozzle; c. positioning and supporting a workpiece under said nozzle; d. directing the stream of fluid through said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; e. moving said nozzle in a predetermined path to cut a pattern through said workpiece; f. positioning a device for receiving fluid expelled from the nozzle and moving said device in correspondence with the movement of the nozzle; and g. sensing the distance between said nozzle and said workpiece and adjusting the nozzle to maintain a selected distance between it and the workpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of sensing the distance between said nozzle and said workpiece includes the steps of lowering a probe mounted in position relative to the nozzle, moving the nozzle and probe toward the workpiece, and sensing when the probe strikes the workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the movement of the nozzle is in response to signals from a computer to control movement of the nozzle in two orthogonal directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the starting and stopping of the stream of fluid is controlled by said computer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: a source of fluid; b. means for intensifying the pressure of said fluid; c. means for supporting the workpiece; d. a nozzle movable in relation to the support means; e. conduit means communicating between said nozzle and said intensifying means for supplying fluid under pressure to said nozzle; f. means to effectuate a discharge of fluid from said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; g. means disposed on the side of the workpiece opposite the nozzle to receive the fluid discharge from the nozzle and thereby reduce the splashback of fluid on the workpiece; and h. means for moving said workpiece to said support means and removing said workpiece when the cutting operation has been completed, including a series of trays, each tray positionable under said nozzle and each tray having a wire bed to support said workpiece, said trays being loaded and unloaded at locations adjacent to said means for supporting said workpiece.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for cutting a workpiece comprising: a source of fluid; b. means for intensifying the pressure of said fluid; c. means for supporting the workpiece; d. a nozzle movable in relation to the support means; e. conduit means communicating between said nozzle and said intensifying means for supplying fluid under pressure to said nozzle; f. means to effectuate a discharge of fluid from said nozzle to cut through the workpiece; g. means disposed on the side of the workpiece opposite the nozzle to receive the fluid discharge from the nozzle and thereby reduce the splashback of fluid on the workpiece; and h. means for moving said workpiece to said support means and removing said workpiece when the cutting operation has been completed, including a series of trays, each tray positionable under said nozzle and each tray having a wire bed to support said workpiece, said trays being loaded and unloaded at locations adjacent to said means for supporting said workpiece.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |