Intensifier

Abstract: The intensifier (38) for delivering ultra high pressure water to a cutting head of a water jet cutting apparatus has a power piston and cylinder assembly (42) connected to piston members extended into pumping chambers in housings (49) located at opposite ends of the piston and cylinder assembly. Inlet poppet valves (147) located in the pumping chambers control the flow of water from inlet passages into the pumping chambers. Outlet poppet valves allow ultra high pressure water to be pumped out of the pumping chambers into an accumulator fluidly connected to the cutting head. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is sequentially directed to opposite ends of the piston and cylinder assembly (42) with a solenoid operated reversing valve. Limit switches (102, 103) operable in response to movement of the piston members control the reversing valve. Linear motion transfer mechanisms (113, 122) are moved with ramps (70, 82) on the piston members (68, 79) to actuate the limit switches (102, 103) to control the reciprocating action of the piston and cylinder assembly (42).

Description: FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to reciprocating piston pumps for delivering a flow of ultra high pressure water. The pump is an intensifier for a water jet cutting apparatus operable to generate ultra high water pressure for a cutting head that dispenses a high velocity water jet for cutting a workpiece. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Water jet cutting machines have cutting heads equipped with nozzles that direct high pressure and high velocity jets of water to cut and drill workpieces. Intensifiers are used to increase the pressure of water to an ultra high pressure range of 414 to 690 MPa (60,000 to 100,000 psi) or more. An example of a high pressure intensifier (as defined in the precharacterizing portion of claim 1) for producing a high velocity fluid jet stream is shown in US-A-3,811,795. The ultra high pressure water is delivered to the cutting heads and discharged through nozzles as water jets which cut workpieces. Abrasive materials are introduced into the water flowing through the cutting heads in some water jet cutting machines to increase the cutting action of the water jets. Other examples of water jet cutting machines are disclosed in US-A-3,997,111 and US-A-4,380,138. Reference is also made to US-A-4,140,442 which discloses a high pressure pump having a valve assembly formed by an apertured cup-shaped housing and a spring biased movable valve cap disposed in the housing, and to US-A-3,776,667 concerning an ice cream pump having a valve member provided with arcuate corner portions located adjacent a cylindrical wall with flow spaces being provided intermediate the corner portions between the valve member and the cylindrical wall. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is directed to an improved intensifier for a water jet cutting machine that effectively and efficiently increases the pressure of water to an ultra high pressure range up to and greater than 414 MPa (60,000 psi). According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for increasing the pressure of hydraulic fluid and to deliver ultra high pressure flow of output hydraulic fluid to means for using ultra high pressure fluid having a piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder with an internal chamber and a piston located in said chamber for reciprocating movement therein, means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure and venting fluid from the chamber on opposite sides of the piston to reciprocate said piston in said chamber, means mounted on said piston and cylinder assembly having a passage open to said chamber and a pumping chamber, a piston member connected to the piston and extended through said passage with a forward end thereof located within said pumping chamber, hydraulic fluid inlet valve means for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow into the pumping chamber and preventing hydraulic fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber into a fluid inlet passage, hydraulic fluid outlet valve means for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber and preventing high pressure hydraulic fluid to flow back into the pumping chamber, and control means responsive to reciprocating movement of the piston member to reverse the flow of fluid under pressure to the chamber on opposite sides of the piston whereby the piston reciprocates the piston member to pump hydraulic fluid into and out of the pumping chamber, characterized by the inlet valve means having a body with a pocket, and passage means open to the pocket, the pumping chamber, and the inlet passage, said passage means having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage, the inlet passage being surrounded by a valve seat, a floating valving member located in said pocket movable, without the use of a biasing spring, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pumping chamber between open and closed positions to allow hydraulic fluid to flow into the pumping chamber and block the flow of hydraulic fluid back into the inlet passage, said valving member having: a surface engageable with the seat to close said inlet passage, a stem extending through a hole in said body open to the center of the pocket to guide said valving member for movement in said pocket, and arcuate corner portions located adjacent a cylindrical wall in said body surrounding said pocket, said corner portions cooperating with said cylindrical wall and said stem cooperating with a wall forming the hole to guide said valving member for movement between open and closed positions thereof, and there being provided flow spaces around the valving member between said valving member and said cylindrical wall, the total cross-sectional area of said flow spaces being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said passage means. Thus, springs and other biasing structures are not used to maintain the valving member in closed position. A preferred embodiment of the intensifier increases the pressure of water to the ultra high pressure range of 414 or more MPa (60,000 or more psi). The piston and cylinder assembly has a cylinder with a chamber accommodating a piston. A solenoid operated valve selectively directs and vents hydraulic fluid under pressure to the chamber on opposite sides of the piston to reciprocate the piston and piston members connected thereto. Sleeves having ramps connect the piston to the piston members so that the piston members longitudinally move in the pumping chambers to generate ultra high pressure water. Switches connected to the solenoids energize the solenoids to operate the valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the piston and cylinder assembly. Motion transfer assemblies operatively associate the switches with the ramps on the sleeves whereby the switches are sequentially actuated in response to movement of the ramps into engagement with the motion transfer structures thereby reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid to opposite ends of the cylinder to reciprocate the piston and piston members. The piston and piston members reciprocate at relatively high speeds to pump the water. It is essential to sense when it is time to reverse the piston direction before it impacts with the end heads. The motion transfer assemblies sense the positions of the ramps on the sleeves to prevent impact of the piston on the end heads while using as much of the available piston stroke as possible. Each motion transfer assembly has a finger engageable with a ramp portion to selectively actuate a switch when the piston is moved to positions adjacent the first and second heads thereby actuate the valve to reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid to the chamber thereby reciprocate the piston and piston members. The finger senses when it is time to reverse the piston direction and to prevent an impact or pounding of the piston on the heads without compromising the available piston stroke. Opposite sides of the pistons have recesses that accommodate flanges of sleeves connected to the piston members. Rings secured to the piston engage the flanges to retain the flanges in the recesses with limited radial clearance to allow for parallel misalignment when assembling the intensifier. The ends of the piston members extend into pumping chambers located in housings secured to the heads. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an abrasive water jet cutting system equipped with the water pressure intensifier of the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the water pressure intensifier shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of one motion transfer assembly and switch of the intensifier of Figure 3 in the on position; Figure 7 is a sectional view of the motion transfer assembly and switch similar to Figure 6 in the off position; Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing the water inlet poppet valve in the open position; Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 8 showing the water inlet poppet valve in the closed position; Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 9; Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 9; and Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 10. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a water jet cutting machine indicated generally at 10 for cutting a workpiece 11 located on a table 12. Machine 10 has a movable cutting head 13 that discharges an ultra high pressure water jet 14 having abrasive material or grit for cutting workpiece 11. An ultra high pressure water jet without an abrasive can be used to cut workpiece 11. Head 13 has a generally upright body 16 supporting a downwardly directed tubular member or nozzle 17. An X-Y control 18 is connected to body 16 to control the motion of head 13 in accordance with a computer and a program therefor (not shown). The abrasive material is a grit which is delivered to body 16 through a tube 19 connected to an apparatus (not shown) for moving grit to body 16. An example of useable grit is a crushed pure almandine garnet marketed by Industrial Garnet Extractives, Inc. of West Paris, Maine 04289. Other types of grit can be used as the abrasive material. The water and grit of jet 14 along with the material cut from workpiece 11 is collected in a catcher, indicated generally at 21, located below table 12. Catcher 21 has a generally upright cylindrical housing 22 that is rotated as shown by arrow 23 with a motor 24. An example of catcher 21 is shown US-A-4,937,985. An X-Y control 25 connected to catcher 21 functions to move catcher 21 in accordance with the movement of cutting head 13 so that the entrance opening of catcher 21 is in a position to receive the water and grit of jet 14 along with the material cut from workpiece 11. An elongated tube or hose 26 joined to the bottom of catcher 21 carries the water, grit and particles from workpiece 11 to an air, water, and solid separator indicated generally at 27. A venturi air pump 28 draws the materials through hose 26 and discharges the materials into separator 27. Pump 28 is supplied with air from a blower 29 connected to an electric motor 31. Separator 27 has a large tank 32 that accommodates a conveyor (not shown) used to carry the solid materials to the upper end of tank for discharge of solid materials 33 into a container 34, such as a drum. Water 36 is drained from the lower end of tank 32. An air filter 35 mounted on top of tank 32 allows clean air 37 to be discharged into the atmosphere. Cutting head 13 is supplied with a water under ultra high pressure in the range of 414 to 690 or more MPa (60,000 to 100,000 or more psi) with a intensifier indicated generally at 38. Intensifier 38 delivers a continuous supply of ultra high pressure water to an accumulator 39 connected to a line 41 leading to the top of body 16 of cutter head 13. Referring to Figure 2, intensifier 38 has a central power cylinder 42 comprising a piston and cylinder assembly closed at its opposite ends with heads 43 and 44. A plurality of rods 46 extend through holes in heads 43 and 44. Nuts 47 and 48 threaded onto opposite ends of rods 46 clamp heads 43 and 44 onto opposite ends of cylinder 42. A first high pressure pump cylinder 49 is located adjacent the outer end of head 43. A similar second high pressure pump cylinder 51 is located adjacent the outside of head 44. The outer ends of cylinders 49 and 51 are closed with blocks or housings 52 and 53. A plurality of rods 54 accommodating nuts 56 and 57 clamp blocks 52 and 53 onto the outer ends of the high pressure pump cylinders 49 and 51. Intensifier 38 is a high speed reciprocating pump operable to receive water at relatively low pressure and discharge ultra high pressure water via lines or pipes 58 to accummulator 39, indicated by arrows 59 and 61 in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 3, a piston 62 located within power cylinder 42 supports an annular peripheral seal 63 that slides on the inside surface of cylinder 42. The opposite sides of piston 62 have stepped recesses 64 and 66 that accommodate pistons or high pressure pumping plungers or piston members 68 and 79. Piston member 68 has an end located within a sleeve 67. Sleeve 67 has a longitudinal bore accommodating the end of piston member 68 with a press fit. The end of piston member is smooth. It does not have splines, grooves or holes that can cause stress risers in the piston member. Sleeve 67 has a circular shoulder 69 and a cone shaped nose or ramp 70. An outwardly directed annular flange 71 is joined to shoulder 69. A ring 72 threaded into piston 62 engages flange 71 to retain sleeve 67 in clearance assembled relation with piston 62. A plurality of cap screws 73 secure ring 72 to piston 62 to prevent rotation of ring 72 relative to piston 62. As shown in Figure 4, flange 71 has an outer peripheral or circumferential surface and a diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of recess 64 thereby providing an annular space or clearance 74 between piston 62 and the outer peripheral surface of flange 71. As seen in Figure 5, shoulder 69 of sleeve 67 has an outer peripheral surface that is spaced inwardly from the inner surface of annular member or ring 72 thereby providing an annular space or clearance 76. The clearance spaces 74 and 76 allow limited transverse or lateral movement of piston 62 relative to sleeve 67 to accommodate for parallel misalignments and manufacturing tolerances to insure linear reciprocal movement of piston member 68 within tubular bearing 77 located in head 43 and eliminate binding, twisting, and bending of parts. The opposite side of piston 62 accommodates a sleeve 78 attached to piston member 79. Sleeve 78 has an annular shoulder 81 and a cone nose 82. An outwardly directed annular flange 83 is located adjacent shoulder 81. A ring or annular member 84 threaded into piston 62 engages flange 83 and retains sleeve 78 in assembled relation with piston 62. A plurality of cap screws 86 prevent rotation of ring 84 relative to piston 62. Flange 83 has radial clearance or space 87 with respect to piston 62. Shoulder 81 has radial space or annular clearance 88 with respect to ring 84. The clearance spaces 87 and 88 allow sleeve 78 and piston 62 to have relative lateral or radial movement relative to each other to eliminate parallel misalignment and lateral binding, twisting or bending of the parts. Piston member 79 extends from sleeve 78 into a tubular bearing 89 in head 44. Returning to Figure 1, a hydraulic fluid pressure system indicated generally at 91 operates to sequentially supply hydraulic fluid, such as oil under pressure, to opposite sides of cylinder 42 to reciprocate piston 62. Hydraulic fluid pressure system 91 has a pump 92 driven with a motor 93, such as an electric motor. The hydraulic fluid is drawn from tank 94 and delivered under pressure to a reversing solenoid operated valve 96. Valve 96 has a movable spool connected at its opposite ends to solenoids 97 and 98. A first line or pipe 99 connects valve 96 to head 43 to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to a passage 100 leading to one end of cylinder chamber 127. A second line 101 connects valve 96 to head 44 to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to passage 126 leading to the opposite end of chamber 127. Solenoid 97 is controlled with a limit switch 102 mounted on top of head 43. An electrical conductor 104 connects solenoid 97 with limit switch 102. A second limit switch 103 mounted on head 44 is connected with a electrical conductor 106 to solenoid 98. Limit switches 102 and 103 function to selectively energize solenoids 97 and 98 cause reverse flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to opposite sides of piston 62 thereby reciprocate piston 62 in power cylinder 42. As shown in Figure 3, an upright bracket 107 mounted on top of head 43 supports limit switch 102 in a generally upright position. A plurality of screws 108 secure switch 102 to a side of bracket 107. Limit switch 102 has elongated upright holes 109 which allow for vertical adjustment of limit switch 102 on bracket 107. Limit switch 102 has a downwardly directed actuator 111 located in operative relationship relative to a linear motion transfer assembly indicated generally at 112 in Figures 6 and 7. Assembly 112 has a cylindrical body 113 reciprocally located in a radial bore 114 in head 43. A downwardly directed finger 116 joined to body 113 extends into passage 100 in the traveling path of sleeve 67. The upper end of body 113 is joined to an upright rod 117 that extends through a cap 118 and engages actuator 111. Cap 118 is threaded into bore 114 to secure the linear motion transverse assembly 112 to head 43. A coil spring 119 surrounding rod 117 biases body 113 and finger 116 in an inward direction as shown in Figure 7. Returning to Figure 6, when ramp 70 engages finger 116 body 113 moves up in bore 114 so that rod 117 actuates limit switch 102 thereby reversing valve 96 terminating the supply of hydraulic fluid through passage 126 to chamber 127 and providing hydraulic fluid to passage 100. This reverses movement of piston 62 in cylinder 42. A linear motion transfer assembly 121 having the same structure as motion transfer assembly 112 is associated with limit switch 103 mounted on head 44. As seen in Figure 3, linear motion transfer assembly 121 has an upright cylindrical body 122 slidably located in a radial bore 123 in head 44. A downwardly direct finger 124 joined to body 122 extends into passage 126 open to cylinder chamber 127. An upright rod 128 joined to body 122 engages actuator 129 of limit switch 103. A cap 131 threaded into head 44 retains the linear motion transfer assembly 121 on head 44. A coil spring 130 engagable with cap 131 and body 122 biases finger 124 inwardly into passage 126. An upright bracket 132 secured to head 44 supports limit switch 103 in a vertical position. A plurality of screws 133 extended through upright slots secure limit switch 103 to a side of bracket 132. The upright slots allow limit switch 103 to be vertically adjusted thereby changing the time in which limit switch 103 would be actuated in response to movement of finger 124 on engagement with cone shaped nose 82 of sleeve 78. As shown in Figure 3, when piston 62 is moved to the left in response to application of fluid under pressure through line 101 and passage 126 to chamber 127, sleeve 67 will move into passage 100. The cone shaped nose 70 of sleeve 67 engages the bottom of finger 116 thereby moving body 113 and rod 117 in an upward direction thereby actuating limit switch 102. This causes valve 96 to reverse in response to the energization of solenoid 97. The flow of fluid under pressure through passage 126 to chamber 127 is terminated with the fluid under pressure being supplied to passage 100 prior to the time that piston 62 and ring 72 engage the end of head 43. This prevents the pounding and impact contact of piston 62 with head 43. The timing of the reversing of valve 96 can be adjusted by vertically adjusting the position of limit switch 102 on bracket 107. This adjusts the stroke of piston 62. On application of fluid under pressure to passage 100 piston 62 will move to the right. The fluid in chamber 127 flows through passage 126 and line 101 through valve 96 back to tank 94. When piston 62 approaches head 44, the cone shaped nose 82 of sleeve 78 will engage finger 124 thereby actuate limit switch 103. This causes valve 96 to reverse as solenoid 98 is energized thereby reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to chamber 127 on opposite sides of piston 62. Piston 62 continuously reciprocates as long as the pump 92 supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to valve 96. Returning to Figure 3, high pressure pump cylinder 49 has a central axial bore 134 accommodating a sleeve or tube 136 having an internal cylindrical surface located in sliding sealing engagement with the outside peripheral surface of piston member 68. A plate 137 interposed between cylinder 49 and head 43 retains sleeve 136 in assembled relation with cylinder 49 and ensures the seals at opposite ends of sleeve 136 are retained in place. A high pressure housing 138 is located in engagement with the outer end of cylinder 49. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, housing 138 has a cylindrical boss 139 that extends into bore 134. An annular seal 140 surrounds boss 139. Housing 138 has an external cone face 141 that fits into a tapered hole in plate 52 whereby plate 52 retains housing 138 in tight sealing relation with cylinder 49. Housing 138 has a water inlet passage 142 connected to a water supply 143. Passage 142 leads through boss 139 to a low pressure inlet poppet valve assembly indicated generally at 147. Inlet poppet valve assembly 147 is located within pump chamber 155 to reduce fatigue failures of the body 151 of the valve assembly. The opposite end of intensifier 38 has a second high pressure housing 144 secured with plate 53 to the end of cylinder 51. Housing 144 is connected to a water supply 146. The internal components of housing 144 are identical to the housing 138 including the lower pressure inlet poppet valve assembly 147 and the high pressure outlet poppet valve 149 as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Housing 138 has a linear outlet passage 148 generally parallel to the inlet passage 142 leading from pump chamber 155 to the high pressure outlet poppet valve assembly 149. As shown in Figures 8 to 12, low pressure inlet poppet valve assembly 147 has a cylindrical housing or body 151 located in engagement with the end of boss 139 at the end of pumping chamber 155. Valve assembly 147 has a low profile and closes the end of pumping chamber 155, as shown in Figure 12. A plurality of cap screws 152 secure body 151 to boss 139. Body 151 has a downwardly directed slot 153 in registration with water outlet passage 148 of housing 138 to allow for free flow of water from high pressure pumping chamber 155 to outlet passage 148 leading to high pressure outlet poppet valve assembly 149. The face 154 of body 151 is flat and in surface engagement with the outer flat face of boss 139. Body 151 has a circular recess or pocket 156 open to face 154. A plurality of holes 157 surrounding a center hole 158 are open to pocket 156 and pumping chamber 155. A floating valving member indicated generally at 159 located in pocket 156 moves generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pumping chamber 155 between an open position as shown in Figure 8 and a closed position as shown in Figure 9 without the use of a biasing spring. Valving member 159 has a generally square shape with curved corners or outer arcuate edges 161 and an axial stem 162 extended through central hole 158. The outer arcuate edges 161 and stem 162 guide and control the linear open and closing movements of valving member 159 and allow rotation of valving member 159 about its axis of movement. As shown in Figure 11, inner wall 163 in body 151 which defines pocket 156 is larger than valving member 159 thereby providing spaces or areas 164 around valving member 159. The cross sectional area of spaces 164 is smaller than the combined cross sectional areas of holes 157 in body 151. Also, the combined cross sectional area of holes 157 is smaller than the cross sectional area of water inlet passage 142 to provide a pressure drop across valving member 159 during the pumping of water from pump chamber 155. When piston member 68 moves away from low pressure inlet poppet valve assembly 147, valving member 159 will move to an open position wherein shoulder 166 surrounding stem 162 will engage body 151 to provide a flow passage around valving member 159 as seen in Figure 8. This allows the water to flow into pump chamber 155. When piston member 68 is moved in the opposite direction toward low pressure inlet poppet valve assembly 147, valving member 159 will quickly close since spaces 164 restrict reverse flow or water into passage 142. The restricted flow is due to the smaller cross sectional area of spaces 164 relative to the total cross sectional areas of holes 157 and the smaller total cross sectional areas of holes 157 relative to the cross sectional area of passage 142. As shown in Figure 9, when valving member 159 is in the closed position the flat face of valving member 159 is in surface engagement with an annular seat or surface of boss 139 surrounding the outlet end of the inlet passage 142. Valving member 159 has a relatively short travel distance between its open and closed positions and a fast valving time cycle. High pressure outlet poppet valve assembly 149 has a seat 167 comprising an annular member located adjacent the outer end of the water outlet passage 148. Seat 167 is located in a threaded bore 168 in the outer end of high pressure housing 138. A connector 169 threaded into bore 168 holds seat 167 in fixed relationship relative to housing 138. Connector 169 has a passage 171 accommodating a moveable check valve 172. A spring 173 biases check valve 172 into closed relationship relative to seat 167 as seen in Figure 8. When the pressure in pumping chamber 155 is sufficient to overcome the force of spring 173 and the high pressure of the water in line 58, check valve 172 will move to the open position to allow high pressure water to flow through passage 148, check valve passage 174 and into line 58. The high pressure housing 144 at the opposite end of the intensifier has an identical check valve for controlling the flow of water into line 58 leading to the accumulator 39. In use, pump 92 is operable to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure selectively to opposite ends of chamber 127 of cylinder 42 thereby reciprocate piston 62. Piston 62 being connected to the piston members 68 and 79 causes the reciprocating pumping of the piston members 68 and 79 in high pressure cylinders 49 and 51. The limit switches 102 and 103 selectively reverse valve 96 to prevent piston 62 from hitting and pounding on heads 43 and 44 during the reciprocal movement of piston 62 in cylinder 42. The linear motion transfer assemblies 112 and 121 mounted on heads 43 and 44 are normally disposed relative to the travel of piston members 68 and 79. Limit switches 102 and 103 are sequentially actuated by movement of inclined cone noses or ramps 70 and 82 of sleeves 67 and 78 into engagement with fingers 116 and 124. Limit switches 102 and 103 are vertically adjustable on their supporting brackets 107 and 132 respectively to change the time at which the limit switches 102 and 103 are actuated thereby change the stroke of piston 62 in cylinder 42. Limit switches 102 and 103 are adjusted so that the piston 62 and rings 72 and 84 secured to piston 62 do not hit or pound on heads 43 and 44 during the reciprocal movement of piston 62. The motion transfer assemblies 112 and 121 being normally disposed with respect to the movement of piston members 68 and 79 allow for close and compact structural arrangement between piston members 68 and 79 and cylinders 49 and 51. The lateral locations of the limit switches 102 and 103 do not interfere or compromise the stroke or travel of piston members 68 and 79 relative to the pumping chambers. During the intake stroke of piston member 68, the inlet poppet valving member 159 moves to the open position whereby water under relatively low pressure flows through inlet passage 142 around valving member 159 and through holes 157 into pumping chamber 155. The open position of valving member 159 is shown in Figure 8. When the direction of movement of piston member 68 is reversed, piston member 68 moves toward valving member 159 whereby the pressure of the water in pumping chamber 155 substantially increases to the ultra high pressure range causing valving member 159 to quickly close. The difference in the pressure between the pumping chamber 155 and inlet passage 142 maintains the valving member 159 closed. The high pressure water flows through the outlet passage 148 through check valve 172 and into pipe 58 leading to accumulator 39. The ultra high pressure water flows through pipe 41 to head 13. The water is discharged at a high velocity and high pressure as a jet 14 which cuts the workpiece. The grit incorporated into the jet facilitates the cutting operation. The water from the jet, grit, and material from the workpiece is collected with the catcher 21 and delivered to liquid solid separator 27 which separates air, solids, and water.

Claims: An apparatus (10) for increasing the pressure of hydraulic fluid and to deliver ultra high pressure flow of output hydraulic fluid to means (13) for using ultra high pressure fluid having a piston and cylinder assembly having a cylinder (42) with an internal chamber (127) and a piston (62) located in said chamber for reciprocating movement therein, means (91, 96) for selectively supplying fluid under pressure and venting fluid from the chamber on opposite sides of the piston to reciprocate said piston (62) in said chamber, means (43, 49) mounted on said piston and cylinder assembly having a passage open to said chamber and a pumping chamber (155), a piston member (68) connected to the piston (62) and extended through said passage with a forward end thereof located within said pumping chamber (155), hydraulic fluid inlet valve means (147) for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow into the pumping chamber and preventing hydraulic fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber into a fluid inlet passage, hydraulic fluid outlet valve means (149) for allowing hydraulic fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber and preventing high pressure hydraulic fluid to flow back into the pumping chamber, and control means (96) responsive to reciprocating movement of the piston member (68) to reverse the flow of fluid under pressure to the chamber on opposite sides of the piston whereby the piston (62) reciprocates the piston member (68) to pump hydraulic fluid into and out of the pumping chamber, characterized by the inlet valve means (147) having a body (151) with a pocket (156), and passage means (157) open to the pocket, the pumping chamber, and the inlet passage (142), said passage means (157) having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage (142), the inlet passage being surrounded by a valve seat (154), a floating valving member (159) located in said pocket (156) movable, without the use of a biaising spring, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pumping chamber (155) between open and closed positions to allow hydraulic fluid to flow into the pumping chamber (155) and block the flow of hydraulic fluid back into the inlet passage (142), said valving member (159) having: a surface engageable with the seat (154) to close said inlet passage (142), a stem (162) extending through a hole (158) in said body (151) open to the center of the pocket (156) to guide said valving member (159) for movement in said pocket (156), and arcuate corner portions (161) located adjacent a cylindrical wall (163) in said body (151) surrounding said pocket (156), said corner portions (161) cooperating with said cylindrical wall (163) and said stem (162) cooperating with a wall forming the hole (158) to guide said valving member (159) for movement between open and closed positions thereof, and there being provided flow spaces (164) around the valving member (159) between said valving member (159) and said cylindrical wall (163), the total cross-sectional area of said flow spaces (164) being smaller than the cross-sectional area of said passage means (157). The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by said valve seat (154) being a flat annular surface surrounding the outlet end of the inlet passage (142) open to said pocket (156), said valving member (159) having a flat surface located in surface engagement with said flat annular surface to close the fluid inlet passage (142). The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by a boss (139) projected into the pumping chamber (155), and means (152) mounting the body (151) on said boss (139), said boss (139) having said flat annular surface. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by said valving member (159) having arcuate portions (161), located adjacent a cylindrical wall (163) in said body (151) surrounding said pocket (156), said arcuate portions cooperating with said cylindrical wall (163) to guide the valving member for movement between open and closed positions of the valving member relative to the valve seat. The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by said body (151) having a hole (158) open to the center of the pocket (156), said valving member (159) includes a stem (162) extended through said hole to guide said valving member for movement in said pocket to the open and closed positions thereof. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by said at least one passage (157) open to the pocket (156) and the pumping chamber (155) comprising a plurality of passages (157) open to the pocket (156) and pumping chamber (155) to allow fluid to flow between said pocket (156) and pumping chamber (155), said passages (157) having a combined cross sectional area smaller than the cross sectional area of the inlet passage (142). The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by a sleeve (136) surrounding the body (151) and accommodating the piston (68), and a boss (139) projected toward the sleeve (136), said boss (139) having the valve seat (154). The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized by sleeve means (67) on the piston member (68), said sleeve means (67) having a ramp portion (70) inclined towards the longitudinal axis of the piston member (68), said control means (96) including reversing means (96) to change the direction of the flow of fluid under pressure to the chamber (127) on opposite sides of said piston (62), and means (116) engageable with the ramp portion (70) of the sleeve means (67) to control the reversing means (96, 102) for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the chamber (127) on opposite sides of the piston (62) when the piston (62) is moved to a position adjacent the means thereby reversing the flow of hydraulic fluid to the chamber on opposite sides of the piston. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by said means (116) engageable with the ramp portion (70), said motion transfer means (113) having a finger (116) adapted to be engaged by the ramp portion (70) to actuate the reversing means (96) to change the direction of the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the chamber on opposite sides of the piston (62), said motion transfer means comprising a body (113) located in a bore (114) in the means (43), said finger (116) being secured to the body (113), a rod (117) attached to the body (113) and moveable with said body (113) to actuate the reversing means (96) for changing the direction of the flow of fluid under pressure to the chamber (127) on opposite sides of the piston (62), biasing means (119) engageable with the body (113) for biasing the finger (116) toward the adjacent sleeve means (67), and cap means (118) mounted on the means (43) to retain the body (113) and biasing means (119) in assembled relation with the means (43). The apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized by bracket means (107) mounted on the means (43), means (108, 109) connecting a reversing switch means (102) to the bracket means (107) in alignment with the motion transfer means (113), said means (108, 109) being adjustable whereby the position of the reversing switch means (102) relative to the motion transfer means (113) can be adjusted to alter the actuation time of the reversing switch means (102). The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized by sleeve means (67) connecting the piston (62) to the piston member (68). The apparatus according to Claims 8 to 11, characterized by the piston (62) having a recess (64), said sleeve means (67) having an annular flange (71) located in said recess (64), means (72) secured to the piston (62) to retain the annular flange (71) in said recess (64), said annular flange (71) being smaller than the recess (64) whereby said piston member (68) has limited lateral movement relative to the piston (62). The apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized by the means secured to the piston (62) comprises an annular ring (72) engagable with the annular flange (71) to hold the annular flange (71) in the recess (64).

Inventors: BOERS ARIE, CHALMERS ERIC J, BOERS, ARIE, CHALMERS, ERIC J.
Applicants: TC AMERICAN MONORAIL INC, TC/AMERICAN MONORAIL, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F04B53
IPC codes: F04B9, F04B53