CATCHER FOR USE WITH LIQUID-JET-CUTTING EQUIPMENT

Abstract: A catcher for use with a liquid-jet-cutting equipment, comprises a housing (10) in which is formed a chamber (14), and the chamber replaceably confines an impingement block (16). A channel (12) opens into the chamber and onto the block for admitting and dissipating a stream of spent, cutting liquid, and for directing the liquid through a discharge port (30) in the housing to a reservoir. The impingement block is replaceable in the housing by removing a threaded closure (24) from an underlying housing wall (22).

Description: This invention relates to a catcher for use with liquid-jet-cutting equipment, for decelerating, de-energising, and directing spent, cutting liquid to a reservoir. Prior art catchers commonly employ a housing with a liquid-receiving chamber therein. In such chambers, typically there is an integral, arcuate trough, or spiral-shaped or scroll-shaped volute in which is received a stream of spent, cutting liquid. The troughs or volutes channel the liquid, decelerate the same, and dissipate its energy. With use, the troughs and/or volutes become worn and, as a consequence, it is necessary to replace the housings. What has been long sought is an improved catcher having means disposed within a housing chamber, which impingingly receives the spent, cutting liquid, and yet is replaceable, by itself, so that the housing need not be expendable. US-A-4,532,949 discloses one such form of liquid jet energy absorbing means, in which an energy absorbing ball is freely rotatable supported in an energy absorbing chamber between seat faces. High pressure and velocity liquid exits from a channel and strikes the ball, causing it to rotate. The ball is aligned with the fluid channel but since the ball is caused to spin in its chamber, the high energy of the jet is dissipated. The spent liquid is then led out of the chamber containing the ball through a port. This document is the base of the preamble of claim 1. According to the present invention, there is provided a catcher for a stream of spent, cutting liquid, for use with liquid-jet-cutting equipment, comprising a housing; said housing having a chamber formed therein; a channel, formed within said housing, for admitting spent, cutting liquid therethrough and into said chamber; a port, formed in said housing, for discharging cutting liquid therethrough from said chamber; and means disposed in said chamber for (a) impingingly and only obliquely receiving a stream of spent, cutting liquid via said channel, and (b) decelerating the channel-admitted liquid, and directing such liquid therefrom, only obliquely, to said port; said means being replaceably disposed in said chamber, having a liquid impingement surface and comprising an impingement block; characterised in that said surface is conical and has a vertex; the elongate axis of said channel and said vertex are offset from each other; and the central axis of said block and the elongate axis of said channel are parallel. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a catcher; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the catcher of Figure 1 taken along section 2-2 of Figure 1. As shown in the Figures, the catcher comprises a housing 10 which has a channel 12 formed therein, through the top thereof, which opens into an inner chamber 14. The channel is provided for receiving therethrough (from the nozzle of a liquid-jet-cutter, not shown) a stream of spent, cutting liquid. Within the chamber 14 is confined an impingement block 16. The latter comprises an insert 18 which is soldered into an aperture base 20. Both the insert 18 and the base 20 are formed of a hard material; in this embodiment the material is tungsten carbide. In the bottom of the housing 10 is an underlying wall 22 in which is threadedly secured a closure 24. The closure 24 is received in a first, circular, threaded aperture 26, formed in an outer portion of the wall 22, which, in turn, opens into a second, circular, unthreaded aperture 28 formed in an inner portion of the wall 22. The base 20 of the impingement block 16 is nested in the aforesaid second aperture 28. The housing 10 has a discharge port 30 formed therein, and extending normal to the axis 32 of the channel 12, and the insert 18 has a liquid impingement surface 34 of conical configuration. The spent, cutting liquid courses through the channel 12, and impinges on the conical surface 34 whereupon its energy is dissipated and its velocity reduced. Additionally, the liquid is deflected and expelled through the port 30. The insert 18 has a vertex 36 which is offset from the axis 32 of the channel 12. The inser t itself has a central axis 38 which bisects the axis 40 of the port 30. Between the base 20 and the closure 24 there is confined an elastomeric disc 42. The disc 42 accommodates for, or damps, shock and vibration as these occur during the impingement of the liquid upon the surface 34 of the insert. As can be seen, the closure 24 has a drive slot 44 for receiving a tool by means of which the impingement block 16 can be removed. By threadedly removing the closure 24, the block 16 comes free of the aperture 28; as needed, a replacement block 16 can be installed and secured in the aperture 28 by the closure 24.

Claims: A catcher for a stream of spent, cutting liquid, for use with liquid-jet-cutting equipment, comprising a housing (10); said housing (10) having a chamber (14) formed therein; a channel (12), formed within said housing (10), for admitting spent, cutting liquid therethrough and into said chamber (14); a port (30), formed in said housing (10), for discharging cutting liquid therethrough from said chamber (14); and means (18) disposed in said chamber (14) for (a) impingingly and only obliquely receiving a stream of spent, cutting liquid via said channel (12), and (b) decelerating the channel-admitted liquid, and directing such liquid therefrom, only obliquely, to said port (30); said means (18) being replaceably disposed in said chamber (14), having a liquid impingement surface (34) and comprising an impingement block (18); characterised in that said surface (34) is conical and has a vertex (36); the elongate axis (32) of said channel (12) and said vertex (36) are offset from each other; and the central axis (38) of said block and the elongate axis (32) of said channel (12) are parallel. A catcher according to claim 1, wherein said surface (34) is oblique to and traverses said elongate axis (32). A catcher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing (10) has a wall (22) with an opening formed therein and further including a closure (24) removably set into said opening, and said closure comprises means for securing said block (18) in said chamber. A catcher according to claim 3, wherein said opening has a first, circular, and threaded aperture, and a second, circular, unthreaded aperture; said apertures have centres which are offset from each other, said first aperture is formed in an outer surface of said wall, and said second aperture is formed in an inner surface of said wall. A catcher according to claim 4, wherein said impingement block nests in said second aperture and said closure is threadedly engaged with said first aperture. A catcher according to claim 5 and further including means interpositioned between said closure and said block for suppressing shock and vibration. A catcher according to claim 6, wherein said shock and vibration-suppressing means comprises an elastomeric disc.

Inventors: JORDAN, RAYMOND M.
Applicants: INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B26F3
IPC codes: B26F3