Abstract:
A support system ( 10 ) for stabilizing a high-pressure feed line ( 15 ) in a high-speed water jet food portioner, comprising a rigid span assembly ( 12 ) connected at one end to an extendable universal joint ( 40 ) that provides rotational motion around two axes ( 36, 37 ) as well as linear freedom along a third axis ( 38 ), and at the other end to a rod-end bearing ( 17 ) that permits motion about two axes at a fixed attachment point. The extendable universal joint ( 40 ) and the rod-end bearing ( 17 ) are each anchored to a fixed point, one on a portioner housing and the other on a cutting carriage such that the rigid span assembly ( 12 ) is allowed freedom at one end to move with the rapid and dramatically changing motion of the cutting carriage in order to provide support to the high-pressure feed line ( 15 ) mounted thereon, with minimal vibration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11/294874, filed Dec. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7793896, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/633589, filed Dec. 6, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention pertains to stabilization systems for lines spanning from one location to another, wherein the two locations are moveable relative to each other, and more specifically to a stabilization system for high-pressure fluid lines spanning between a first stationary location and a second moveable second location at a moveable work tool, and further to stabilization systems for high-pressure coil tubing for delivering high-pressure fluid to cutting heads of the water jet portioners. 
         [0003]    High-pressure water jet cutting heads and feed systems are widely known in the field. Various systems provide a conduit for delivering the high-pressure fluid to the cutting head, which is mounted on a positioning carriage. The positioning carriage transports the cutting head along an x-axis and a y-axis, accessing an infinite number of points that define a two-dimensional plane over a cutting surface. The extreme speed at which the cutting head moves throughout the plane in order to make appropriate cuts on a work product on the cutting surface results in tremendous stresses on the components of the cutting head, the carriage, the control connections and leads, and the high-pressure feed line. The stresses caused by the movements result in failures of the components. 
         [0004]    Various techniques are employed in order to diminish the stress and wear on the high-pressure feed line. Some of these techniques include providing coils in the feed line tubing at points that require movement, providing a support structure between the cutting containment housing and the cutting head, stabilizing the feed line tubing at movement points of the support structure. Complications still occur at both the connection points of the support structure and points where the feed line tubing contacts the support structure. 
         [0005]    A relatively successful configuration includes polymer dampeners that secure the stabilization structure to a cutting containment housing and cutting head. Although this configuration provides sufficient range and freedom of motion, at the extremely high speeds at which the carriage and cutting head move, a certain amount of vibration still exists which, after time, results in feed line failures. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    The invention is a support system for stabilizing a high-pressure feed line, while permitting necessary range of motion and speed of the cutting head mounted on a x- and y-axis positioning carriage. The support system provides for a support rod connected at one end by a precise, extendable universal joint that permits free movement around two axes, and that greatly reduces the level of vibration permitted in the rod after a movement motion. The support rod is connected at the other end by a precise pivotal point that permits free movement around two axes, and that also reduces the level of vibration permitted in the rod after a movement motion. Together the two connections greatly limit vibrations in the support rod created as a product of the cutting head carriage location motion. 
         [0008]    The remaining vibration in the support rod and vibration in the feed line is dampened by securing the feel line adjacent to the support rod connection ends, and providing a dampener span tensioned between distal points along the feed line coil at either or both ends of the support rod. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the feed line support assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the feed line support assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of the feed line support assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a lower portion of the feed line support assembly as viewed in the downstream direction; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a lower portion of the feed line support assembly as viewed in an upward direction; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the telescoping universal joint; and, 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the telescoping universal joint. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show the feed line and the support system. In the exemplary embodiment, feed line  15  is fabricated from a single length of high-strength, thick-walled stainless steel tubing. Exemplary feed line  15  is formed with two helical coil sections  32 ,  34  separated by a straight, longitudinal section  33 . Each helical coil section  32 ,  34  allows feed line  15  to flex such that both ends of straight section  33  can move with two rotational degrees of freedom (analogous to a universal joint). In addition, each helical coil section  32 ,  34  allows feed line  15  to elongate through the length of each helical coil section  32 ,  34  along an axis through longitudinal section  33 . This particular geometry allows top helical coil section  32  to be rigidly attached to a bracket assembly  31  of a portioner while bottom helical coil section  34  is rigidly attached to a cutting tool carriage  11  via a mounting plate  35 . 
         [0018]    Portioner cutting applications typically require the cutting carriage  11  to make a series of small, fast, abrupt moves. These fast moves excite vibration in feed line  15 , which can cause metal fatigue and ultimately lead to catastrophic failure. 
         [0019]    Vibrations in feed line  15 , across top helical coil section  32 , longitudinal section  33 , and bottom helical coil section  34 , may be suppressed by attaching longitudinal section  33  of feed line  15  to a support assembly or structure  10 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An exemplary support structure  10  consists of an elongated span member  12 , with a pivot joint  40  mounted at one end, adjacent top helical coil section  32 , and a telescoping piece  16 , projecting from the other end of the span member, adjacent to bottom helical coil section  34 . In the exemplary embodiment, span member  12  is a thin wall, lightweight, metal tube. Exemplary pivot joint  40  is a telescoping universal joint  40  that permits motion about two axes  36 ,  37 , as well as elongation along a third axis  38 . Telescoping piece  16  is extendably attached to span member  12  at one end, and a rod-end bearing  17  that permits motion about two axes is disposed at the other end of the telescoping piece. In the exemplary embodiment, rod-end bearing  17  is a spherical bearing. In the exemplary embodiment a plurality of clamps  14  securely and rigidly attach feed tube  15  to span member  12 . The clamps are illustrated as being held in place relative to span member  12  and feed tube  15  by hardware members  39 . 
         [0020]    Telescoping universal joint  40  is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The exemplary embodiment consists of two identical U-shaped yoke assemblies  41  that contact a central spider block  42 . The central spider block may be in the form of an elongate rectangular block. Each yoke assembly  41  has a base piece  43  and two yoke arms  44 ,  45  that may be attached to ears  43 A projecting from base piece  43  with bolts  47  and lock nuts  48  or other types of hardware members. The yoke arms  44 ,  45  extend transversely from base piece  43  and are retained in position by lip portions  43 B of ears  43 A that closely overlap shoulders  43 E formed at the proximal ends  43 F of the yoke arms. It will be appreciated that by this construction, yoke arms  44 ,  45  are retained in position relative to the length of base piece  43 . 
         [0021]    Each yoke arm  44 ,  45  has a hole  54  at its distal end into which the shank portion  46 A of bearing pad  46  may be press fit or otherwise retained. The bearing pads  46  may be generally in the shape of a circular disk, but other shapes such as octagonal, hexagonal or square can be used. Each bearing pad  46  has a central spherical seat  56  in its face opposite shank portion  46 A that may accommodate a ball bearing  49 . The bearing pads  46  are sized and positioned to mate against the longitudinal faces of the spider block  42 . The ball bearings  49  slide in bowled raceways  52  extending along each longitudinal face of central spider block  42 . With this geometry, central spider block  42  can translate relative to each yoke assembly  41  along axis  38  by virtue of ball bearings  49  rolling in the raceways  52  in spider block  42 . In this regard, one yoke assembly  41  is nominally positioned at each end of the central spider block  42 , with the yoke assemblies disposed 90° relative to each other in the manner of a typical universal joint. Central spider block  42  can also rotate about an axes  36 ,  37  defined by corresponding pairs of bearing pads  46 . This geometry allows upper coil  32  two degrees of rotational freedom and one degree of translational freedom, but is constrained from vibrating, moving or rotating in any other directions. 
         [0022]    The upper yoke assembly  41  of the universal joint  40  is mounted to the portioner by a bracket assembly  31 . The bracket assembly  31  includes a connector plate  31 A having a transverse portion  30  that overlaps the upper surface of yoke base piece  43  and is superiorly connected thereto via hardware members  31 B, which may be in the form of threaded capscrews. The capscrews extend through clearance holes formed in the connector plate  31 A to engage in threaded holes formed in the base piece  43  of the yoke assembly  41 . The connector plate  31 A also has a major plate portion that underlies a two-piece clamp block  31 C, which in turn underlies the lower flange portion  31 D of a formed bracket  31 E. The formed bracket  31 E also includes an upper flange portion  31 F which is secured to the frame, housing or other portion of a cutting or portioning apparatus, not shown, via hardware members  31 G which engage through clearance holes formed in the upper flange  31 F. The clamp block  31 C is composed of a lower half and an upper half that cooperatively define a transverse through-hole for snugly receiving the corresponding portion  32 A of coil suction  32 . The lower flange  31 D, clamp block  31 C and connector plate  31 A are all clamped together by hardware members  31 H that extend through clearance openings formed in each of the foregoing components. The clamp blocks  31 C may include a generally cylindrically shaped snubber portion  31 I that projects laterally from the clamp block to encircle and support the coil section  32 A. The clamp block  31 C may be composed of material having inherent shock absorbing properties so as to not transmit vibrations between the formed bracket  31 E and the universal joint  40 . The formed bracket  31 E also includes a clamping arm  31 J to support the adjacent portion of the feed line  15 . A lower clamping block  31 K supports the line  15  against the underside of clamping arm  31 I and is held in position by hardware members  31 L. 
         [0023]    Universal joint  40  is designed for use in washdown environments, such as found in food processing plants. All of the parts may be made from stainless steel. Parts in rubbing contact with other parts (e.g., spider block  42 , ball bearings  49 , and bearing pads  46 ) may be made from different stainless steel alloys to minimize galling or other forms of abrasive wear. Contact surfaces between parts, which are difficult to keep clean in food processing areas, are kept to a minimum. Yoke arms  44 ,  45  may be designed to provide generous clearance to the central spider box  42  so it is easily washed with a water and/or steam stream (not shown). Other washdown-proof materials known in the field of food preparation (e.g., Delrin®) may be used. 
         [0024]    The universal joint  40  is also designed to be easily maintained. Over time, the bearing pads  46 , bearings  49  and the spider block  42  may wear. By loosening bolts  47 , yoke arms  44 ,  45  may be repositioned to move bearing pads  46  closer to spider block  42  to accommodate minor wear. Also, the shank portions  46 A of bearing pads  46  may be threadably engaged with yoke holes  54  so that the pressure of the bearing pads against the adjacent face of the spider block  42  may be adjusted. When bearing pads  46  “wear out,” yoke arms  44 ,  45  may be removed and new bearing pads  46  may be installed. Also, central spider block  42  can be easily replaced when it is “worn out.” 
         [0025]    The bottom of span member  12  has a telescoping piece  16 , which is held in place by a split bushing  13  and a pair of clamps  14 . A rod-end spherical bearing  17  is mounted to the distal end of telescoping piece  16 . Rod-end bearing  17  connects span member  12  to a cutting carriage  11  via intermediate telescoping extension piece  16 . The extension piece  16  allows the pivot point of rod-end bearing  17  to be moved relative to the span member  12 , which has been found important to accommodate changes in the water jet nozzle  58  height. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rod end bearing  17  is interconnected between the distal end of telescoping piece  16  and a flange  60  extending transversely from the upper end portion of an upright, elongate, substantially flat mounting or connector plate  35 . The lower end of coiled line  15  is engaged with a manifold block  64  having an internal passageway, not shown, leading to the upper end of a connector tube  66  extending downwardly from manifold block  64  and in fluid flow communication with line  15 . The lower or distal end of the connector tube  66  is in fluid flow communication with the upper end portion of cutter nozzle  58 , which is held in position by a clamp block  70  connected to the lower end portion of connector plate  35  by hardware members  72 . A spacer block  74  spaces the manifold block  64  outwardly from the face of connector plate  35 . The manifold block  64  and spacer plate  74  are secured to the upper portion of the connector plate  35  by hardware members  76 . Hardware members  78 , in addition to hardware members  72 , are used to mount the connector plate  35  to a cutting tool carriage  11 . 
         [0027]    A dampener  23  provides relative radial support to a tube coil, such as helical coil sections  32 ,  34  of feed line  15 . Dampener  23  is anchored at its center  24  to support structure  10 . Exemplary dampener  23  is a flexible membrane that is attached to telescoping component  16  and is further attached to bottom helical coil section  34  at three points with tie wraps  80 . Dampener  23  dampens vibration in coils of helical coil section  34 . Exemplary dampener  23  may be constructed of thin (e.g., ⅛″ thick) ultra-high-molecular-weight polymer or polyurethane, but those skilled in the art will appreciate other suitable materials. Dampener  23  is illustrated as composed of three spokes that radiate out from a central hub portion  24 , but it will be appreciated that the dampener can be constructed in other shapes. 
         [0028]    The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the span member  12  may be in the form of a rod rather than a tube. Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with feed systems for high-pressure water jet cutting heads, the present invention can be utilized in other applications, including to stabilize high-pressure fluid lines spanning between a first location, which may be movable or stationary, and a second location at a movable work tool. Generally the present invention may also be used in conjunction with stabilizing lines spanning from one location to another location, wherein the two locations are movable relative to each other. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0029]    While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.