Patent Publication Number: US-2021170428-A1

Title: High pressure fluid tool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/944,519, entitled “HIGH PRESSURE FLUID TOOL”, filed Dec. 6, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for directing fluid, and, more particularly, to devices for directing high pressure fluid. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Fluid dispensers are well-known in the art for various purposes. One exemplary purpose is to wash a surface of debris formed, for example, during machining. While such fluid dispensers are effective at washing debris from the surface, not all fluid dispensers are suitable for both dispensing fluid and, for example, deburring the surface after machining. 
     What is needed in the art is a fluid dispenser that can be used to both clean and debur a surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device for directing high pressure fluid that has a spindle including a rigid body defining a fluid passageway therein and a fluid distributor coupled to the spindle and having fluid dispensers that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway. 
     In some exemplary embodiments provided according to the present invention, a device for directing high pressure fluid includes: a spindle having a rigid body defining a fluid passageway therein; a spindle mount configured to mount the spindle to a fluid source; and a fluid distributer coupled to the spindle and including a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers formed therein that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway and configured to dispense fluid outside the device. 
     In some exemplary embodiments provided according to the present invention, a fluid distribution system includes a fluid source configured to output pressurized fluid and a device including: a spindle including a rigid body defining a fluid passageway therein; a spindle mount mounting the spindle to the fluid source so the fluid passageway of the spindle is fluidly coupled to the fluid source; and a fluid distributer coupled to the spindle and including a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers formed therein that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway of the spindle and configured to dispense pressurized fluid from the fluid source outside the device. 
     In some exemplary embodiments provided according to the present invention, a method of treating a surface includes: mounting a spindle including a rigid body to a fluid source using a spindle mount such that a fluid passageway formed in the rigid body of the spindle is fluidly coupled to the fluid source; and distributing pressurized fluid from the fluid source through a fluid distributer that is coupled to the spindle and placed adjacent to the surface, the fluid distributer having a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers formed therein that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway of the spindle so the pressurized fluid is dispensed from at least one of the fluid dispensers against the surface. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the device and method can be used to clean, flush, dry, and/or debur surfaces of, for example, a workpiece, a part, a machine table, and/or a machine guarding. 
     Another advantage is the spindle is rigid so high-pressure fluid can be dispensed from the fluid dispensers. 
     Yet another advantage is flow adjusters can be provided to individually control fluid flow from each of the fluid dispensers and thus control the overall dispensing of fluid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid distribution system including a fluid source and a device for directing high pressure fluid, provided according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  before insertion into a part; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  inserted into the part of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a spindle and a fluid distributer, provided according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a spindle and a fluid distributer, provided according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a device for directing high pressure fluid, provided according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a device for directing high pressure fluid, provided according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a device for directing high pressure fluid, provided according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method of treating a surface, provided according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a fluid distribution system  100  including a device  10  for directing high pressure fluid and a fluid source  110 , and  FIG. 2  illustrates the device  10  in a side view. Device  10  directs fluid (which includes gas, such as air) to a machining operation. Device  10  is referred to as an HP (high pressure) Aqua product  10 , which uses directionally optimized, through-the-spindle medium and high pressure coolant, as well as through-the-spindle air pressure in order to clean, flush and dry internal and external surfaces of a workpiece, machine table, or machine guarding. The fluid source  110 , which may be a fluid pump or similar element, is configured to output pressurized fluid, which may then be directed by the device  10 . 
     In addition to cleaning, HP Aqua product  10  also will deburr internal workpiece features by way of directionally optimized high-pressure coolant, along with tool diameters and engineered orifice designs in order to maximize the deburring effect of the tools. 
     The device  10  includes a spindle  11 , a spindle mount  12 , and a fluid distributer  13 . The spindle  11  includes a rigid body  15  that may be formed, for example, from a rigid metal such as aluminum. As used herein, the term “rigid” should be understood to mean that the body  15  is relatively inflexible and does not appreciably flex under its own weight, which is in contrast to, for example, a flexible hose that is readily flexible and bendable. The rigid body  15  may be formed with any suitable diameter. As illustrated, the spindle  11  may define a spindle length SL that is at least 50% of a total length TL of the device  10 . Such a length SL of the spindle  11  may be useful when the device  10  is inserted in a part or other area to clean and/or dry a surface that is located deep within the part or area. The rigid body  15  of the spindle  11  may be generally cylindrical, as illustrated, or may have other shapes. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 3  there is illustrated a cross sectional side view that illustrates the spindle mount  12 , a fluid passageway  14  defined in the rigid body  15 , a plurality of fluid dispensers  16  of the fluid distributer  13 , and flow adjusters  18 . The spindle mount  12  is configured to mount the spindle  11  to the fluid source  110 , as will be described further herein. Fluid enters the fluid passageway  14  through couplings, which may be part of the spindle mount  12 , then the fluid travels through the fluid passageway  14  to a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers  16 , which are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  14  and may be in the form of nozzles  16  or another fluid dispenser  16  that is configured to dispense fluid outside of the device  10 , such as in a concentrated or pattern flow of fluid to a surface, such as a surface of a part. A plurality of flow adjusters  18  may be provided, with each of the flow adjusters  18  being associated with a respective one of the fluid dispensers  16  and configured to control fluid flow from the respective fluid dispenser  16  independently of the other fluid dispensers  16 . One or more of the flow adjusters  18  may be, for example, in the form of adjusting screws  18  that are set to control the fluid flow through the fluid dispensers  16 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the spindle mount  12  defines a fluid entryway  19  that is fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  14  of the spindle  11 . The fluid entryway  19  may be formed at an end of the spindle mount  12  and be configured to directly couple with the fluid source  110  to receive pressurized fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid entryway  19  is configured to couple with a hose of the fluid source  110  to fluidly couple the fluid entryway  19 , and thus the fluid passageway  14 , to the fluid source  110  so pressurized fluid enters the fluid passageway  14 . The spindle mount  12  may include one or more mounting features  21 , illustrated as radially extending couplings, that can have a cutout  22 . The cutout  22  can slide over a corresponding bump in the fluid source  110  and then rotated so the spindle mount  12  locks to the fluid source  110 . In some embodiments, the fluid passageway  14  defines a passageway diameter PD and the fluid entryway  19  defines an entryway diameter ED that is greater than the passageway diameter PD. The fluid passageway  14  and the fluid entryway  19  may extend in parallel so fluid flow through the fluid entryway  19  and the fluid passageway  14  does not generally change directions within the spindle  11 . While the spindle mount  12  is illustrated as having a conical section  23  and a cylindrical section  24 , it should be appreciated that the shape of the spindle mount  12  can be adjusted in order to couple the spindle  12  to a fluid source and thus the illustrated shape of the spindle mount  12  is exemplary only. 
     The fluid distributer  13  may be mounted to an end  25 A of the spindle  11  that is opposite an end  25 B of the spindle  11  that is coupled to the spindle mount  12 . The fluid dispenser  13  may have a round shape, such as a ring shape, with a circumferential surface  26 . The spindle  11  may define a spindle diameter SD and the fluid distributer  13  may define a distributer diameter DD that is greater than the spindle diameter SD, as illustrated. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid dispensers  16  each extend through the circumferential surface  26  to a distributer channel  27  that is formed in the fluid distributer  13  and fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  14 . In this respect, the distributer channel  27  can fluidly couple each of the fluid dispensers  13  to the fluid passageway  14 . The distributer channel  27  and/or the fluid dispensers  13  may each extend perpendicularly to the fluid passageway  14 . Each of the flow adjusters  18 , which may be adjusting screws or a different element, such as a plug, may be held in an adjuster opening  28  that extends into the distributer channel  27 . Each flow adjuster  18  can be displaced within the adjuster opening  28  to move in or out of the distributer channel  27  and alter the fluid flow through the associated fluid dispenser  16 . In some embodiments, each flow adjuster  18  has a sufficient length to fluidly isolate its respective fluid dispenser  16  from the fluid passageway  14  by, for example, closing the fluid coupling between the distributer channel  27  and the respective fluid dispenser  16 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the flow adjusters  18  can be used to not only adjust the fluid flow characteristics through of the fluid dispensers  16  independently of the other fluid dispensers  16 , but can also be used to prevent fluid flow through one or more of the fluid dispensers  16 . 
     In some embodiments, a circular end face  29  of the fluid distributer  13  is coupled to a ring  30  of the fluid distributer  13 . The circular end face  29  may be coupled to the ring  30  by a plurality of removable screws  31 , which can allow removal of the end face  29  from the ring  30  to clean the inside of the fluid distributer  13 . The adjuster openings  28  can also be formed in the end face  29 . 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  there is shown the device  10  relative to a part  20 . The part  20  has been machined and now the device  10  will enter and dispense fluid from the fluid source  110  therein to clean, flush, deburr and dry a surface of the part  20 . 
     Fluid flow from the fluid dispensers  16  may mate with part of part  20 , such as cavities or flow channels formed therein in order for fluid from the device  10  to clean, dry, deburr and/or flush machined part  20 . 
     Through coolant is typically used for cooling the cutting tools and flushing chips away from the cutting edge. In the present invention, device  10  is used to harness the coolant to also wash/clean the part  20 . At sufficiently high fluid pressures, the coolant can also remove burs that form during machining of the part  20 . After flushing the part  10  with coolant, the fluid source  110  can be switched to a dry mode so pressurized gas, such as pressurized air, is delivered by the device  10  against the part  20  in order to dry the part  20 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the fluid source  110  can be configured to deliver both pressurized liquids, such as coolant, and pressurized gas, such as air, to the device  10  for dispensing through the fluid dispensers  16 . 
     The device  10  functions as a coolant nozzle that washes, flushes and dries the part  20 , and may be used to deburr internal workpiece features of part  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , additional exemplary embodiments of spindles  61 ,  71  and fluid distributers  63 ,  73  that can be used in place of the previously described spindle  11  and fluid distributer  13  provided according to the present invention are illustrated. The spindles  61 ,  71  can be similar to the previously described spindle  11  in that each spindle  61 ,  71  defines a respective fluid passageway  64 ,  74  therein. Each of the fluid distributers  63 ,  73  has a plurality of spaced apart fluid dispensers  66 ,  76  that are fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  64 ,  74  and configured to dispense fluid outside the device  10 . Specifically referring to  FIG. 6 , it can be seen that the fluid dispensers  66  may extend through an end face  69  of the fluid distributer  63 . Some of the fluid dispensers  66 , which may be formed as passageways in the fluid distributer  63 , may extend at an acute angle relative to the fluid passageway  64  while one or more of the fluid dispensers  66  may extend in parallel with the fluid passageway  64 . Specifically referring to  FIG. 7 , it can be seen that the fluid dispensers  76  may extend out of a conical surface  77  of the fluid distributer  73 . In some embodiments, the fluid dispensers  76  extend rearwardly, i.e., away from an end face  79  of the fluid distributer  73 , at an acute angle relative to the fluid passageway  74 . In other respects, the spindles  61 ,  71  and fluid distributers  63 ,  73  may be similar to the previously described spindle  11  and fluid distributer  13 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9 , another exemplary embodiment of a device  800  for directing high pressure provided according to the present invention is illustrated. The device  800  includes a spindle  810 , a spindle mount  820  configured to mount the spindle  810  to a fluid source, such as the previously described fluid source  110 , and a fluid distributer  830  coupled to the spindle  810 . The spindle mount  820  is similar to the previously described spindle mount  12 . The spindle  810  and the fluid distributer  830 , on the other hand, are modified compared to the previously described spindle  11  and fluid distributer  13 . 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 8-9 , the spindle  810  of the device  800  has a rigid body  815  defining a fluid passageway  814  therein and a relatively short length compared to the previously described spindle  11 . Unlike the spindle  11 , which has a spindle length SL that is more than 50% of the total length TL of the device  10 , the spindle  810  of the device  800  illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9  has a spindle length SL 2  that is a small percentage of a total length TL 2  of the device  800 , such as less than 20% of the total length TL 2 . In other respects, the spindle  810  may be similar to the previously described spindle  11 . 
     The fluid distributer  830  has a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers  831  that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  814  and configured to dispense fluid outside the device  800 . Each of the fluid dispensers  831  may extend through a circumferential surface  832  of the fluid distributer  830  and be fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  814  via a distributer channel  833 . The fluid distributer  830  may include a plurality of flow adjusters  834 , with each of the flow adjusters  834  being associated with a respective one of the fluid dispensers  831  and configured to control fluid flow from the respective fluid dispenser  831  independently of the other fluid dispensers  831 . Each of the flow adjusters  834  may be a threaded screw that is held in a respective adjuster channel  835  formed through an end face  836  of the fluid distributer  830 . The end face  836  may be coupled to a ring  837  of the fluid distributer  830  by a single coupling nut  838 , which can be removed to separate the end face  836  from the ring  837  for cleaning. In other respects, the fluid distributer  830  may be similar to the previously described fluid distributer  13 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , additional exemplary embodiments of devices  1000 ,  1100  for directing high pressure fluid provided according to the present invention are illustrated. As illustrated, both devices  1000 ,  1100  include a spindle  1010 ,  1110 , a spindle mount  1020 ,  1120  configured to mount the spindle  1010 ,  1110  to a fluid source, such as the previously described fluid source  110 , and a fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130 . The spindle mount  1020 ,  1120  of the devices  1000 ,  1100  may each include a spindle opening  1021 ,  1121  that receives the spindle  1010 ,  1110  and holds the spindle  1010 ,  1110  therein. Similar to previously described spindle mounts, the spindle mounts  1020 ,  1120  may each have a fluid entryway  1022 ,  1122  defined therein that is configured to fluidly couple to the fluid source  110 . In some embodiments, the spindle mounts  1020 ,  1120  also have a mount passageway  1023 ,  1123  that is fluidly coupled to the fluid entryway  1022 ,  1122  and has a smaller diameter than the fluid entryway  1022 ,  1122 . Each spindle mount  1020 ,  1120  may also include one or more mounting features  1024 ,  1124  that is configured to mount the device  1000 ,  1100  to the fluid source  110 , similarly to the previously described mounting features  21 . 
     Each spindle  1010 ,  1110  includes a rigid body  1011 ,  1111  that is held in the spindle opening  1021 ,  1121 . The rigid body  1011 ,  1111  has a fluid passageway  1012 ,  1112  defined therein that is fluidly coupled to the fluid entryway  1022 ,  1122  via the mount passageway  1023 ,  1123 . In some embodiments, the fluid passageway  1012 ,  1112  defines a passageway diameter that is less than the diameter of the mount passageway  1023 ,  1123 . The rigid body  1011 ,  1111  may also include threads  1013 ,  1113  for mounting the fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130  thereon. 
     The fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130  has a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers  1031 ,  1131  that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  1012 ,  1112  and configured to dispense fluid outside of the device  1000 ,  1100 . The fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130  may include threads  1032 ,  1132  that correspond to the threads  1013 ,  1113  of the spindle  1010 ,  1110  to removably mount the fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130  to the spindle  1010 ,  1110 . As previously described, a flow adjuster may be associated with each fluid dispenser  1031 ,  1131  and configured to adjust fluid from its respective fluid dispenser  1031 ,  1131  independently of the other fluid dispensers  1031 ,  1131 . 
     As can be appreciated from  FIG. 10 , the spindle  1010  and the fluid distributer  1030  of the device  1000  can each have a diameter that is generally the same. The diameter of the spindle  1010  and the fluid distributer  1030  may be, for example, 0.375″. Other exemplary diameters are 0.5″ and 0.75″, but it should be appreciated that the relative diameters can be adjusted to conform to the desired fluid flow characteristics and/or the part that is to receive the dispensed fluid. The spindle  1110  and the fluid distributer  1130  of the device  1100  illustrated in  FIG. 11 , on the other hand, may have diameters that differ. As illustrated, the fluid distributer  1130  may, for example, have a slightly greater diameter than the spindle  1110 . Thus, it should be appreciated that the respective diameters of the spindle  1010 ,  1110 , the spindle mount  1020 ,  1120 , and the fluid distributer  1030 ,  1130  can be adjusted in a variety of ways, depending on the application of the device. 
     From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the devices  10 ,  800 ,  1000 ,  1100  provided according to the present invention can be used in fluid distribution systems to clean, debur, and/or dry surfaces, such as surfaces of parts, using pressurized fluid from a fluid source  110 . The fluid flow from the devices can be precisely controlled using flow adjusters and/or by adjusting the location of the fluid dispensers in the devices. Thus, the devices provided according to the present invention provide a wide variety of ways of dispensing fluid that can be tailored to a variety of specific applications. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an exemplary embodiment of a method  1200  of treating a surface, such as a surface of a part  20 , is provided. The method  1200  includes mounting  1201  a spindle  11 ,  810 ,  1010 ,  1110  comprising a rigid body  15 ,  815 ,  1011 ,  1111  to a fluid source  110  using a spindle mount  12 ,  820 ,  1020 ,  1120  such that a fluid passageway  14 ,  814 ,  1012 ,  1112  formed in the rigid body  15 ,  815 ,  1011 ,  1111  of the spindle  11 ,  810 ,  1010 ,  1110  is fluidly coupled to the fluid source  110 ; and distributing  1202  pressurized fluid from the fluid source  110  through a fluid distributer  13 ,  830 ,  1030 ,  1130  that is coupled to the spindle  11 ,  810 ,  1010 ,  1110  and placed adjacent to the surface. The fluid distributer  13 ,  830 ,  1030 ,  1130  has a plurality of spaced-apart fluid dispensers  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131  formed therein that are each fluidly coupled to the fluid passageway  14 ,  814 ,  1012 ,  1112  so the pressurized fluid is dispensed from at least one of the fluid dispensers  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131  against the surface. In some embodiments, the method  1200  includes adjusting  1203  a fluid flow through at least one of the fluid dispensers  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131  by adjusting a respectively associated flow adjuster  18 ,  834  that is associated with the fluid dispenser  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131  and configured to control fluid flow through the fluid dispenser  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131  independently of the other fluid dispensers  16 ,  831 ,  1031 ,  1131 . In some embodiments, the distributed pressurized fluid may be a first fluid, such as a coolant, to clean and debur the surface followed by a second fluid, such as air, to dry the surface after cleaning. 
     While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.