US5232155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrity sensor for fluid jet nozzle
Assignee: KMT Waterjet Systems Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-22
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein. A highly pressurized fluid source is in fluid communication with the nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through the nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly which contains entrained air. A sensor is in fluid communication with the chamber for sensing the fluid condition of the entrained air in said chamber which provides an indication of the quality of the nozzle orifice. An alignment portion aligns the orientation of the fluid jet relative to the workpiece based upon the indication of the quality of the fluid jet.
Inventors
- 👤 Wei-Long Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:28
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/004; B05; B05B; B05B12/00; B05B12/08; B05B12/085; B24; B24C; B24C7/00; B24C7/0046; B24C7/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through the nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, the chamber containing entrained air; and a sensor means in fluid communication with the chamber, for sensing a fluid condition of the entrained air contained within said chamber which provides an indication of nozzle orifice quality.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through the nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, the chamber containing entrained air; and a sensor means in fluid communication with the chamber, for sensing a fluid condition of the entrained air contained within said chamber which provides an indication of nozzle orifice quality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a fluid pressure sensor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a fluid flow meter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor is both a fluid pressure sensor means and a fluid flow meter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising abrasive inlet means for introducing abrasive material into the chamber wherein the sensor means is in fluid communication with the abrasive inlet means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through the nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, the chamber containing entrained air; and sensor means in fluid communication with the chamber for sensing a fluid condition of the entrained air contained within said chamber which provides an indication of quality of said fluid jet.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through the nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, the chamber containing entrained air; and sensor means in fluid communication with the chamber for sensing a fluid condition of the entrained air contained within said chamber which provides an indication of quality of said fluid jet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, further comprising: alignment means for aligning the orientation of the fluid jet relative to the workpiece based upon said indication of the quality of the fluid jet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the sensor means is a fluid pressure sensor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the sensor means is a fluid flow meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the sensor means is a combined fluid pressure sensor means and a fluid flow meter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as described in claim 6, further comprising abrasive inlet means for introducing abrasive material into the chamber wherein the sensor means is in fluid communication with the abrasive inlet means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through said nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, said chamber contains entrained air; sensor means in fluid communication with said chamber for sensing pressure of entrained air contained within said chamber; and alignment means for aligning orientation of said fluid jet based upon indication of quality of the fluid jet from said sensor means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus comprising: a nozzle assembly having a nozzle orifice formed therein; a highly pressurized fluid source in fluid communication with said nozzle orifice, wherein a fluid jet is discharged through said nozzle orifice into a chamber downstream of said nozzle assembly, said chamber contains entrained air; sensor means in fluid communication with said chamber for sensing pressure of entrained air contained within said chamber; and alignment means for aligning orientation of said fluid jet based upon indication of quality of the fluid jet from said sensor means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein said alignment means aligns the orientation of the fluid jet relative to a workpiece based upon said indication of the quality of the fluid jet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the sensor means is a fluid pressure sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the sensor means is a fluid flow meter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the sensor means is a combined fluid pressure sensor and a fluid flow meter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, further comprising abrasive inlet means for introducing abrasive material into the chamber wherein the sensor means is in fluid communication with the abrasive inlet means.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |