Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a coupling device used for producing a flow path between a tank of a water vapor cutting device and a liquid-filled cartridge, wherein said coupling device comprises a housing provided with a receiving area formed therein for mounting said cartridge on said housing, and which coupling device comprises a channel provided with an input orifice fluidically connectable to said cartridge and with an output orifice fluidically connectable to an external surrounding area, for example to a tank. 
     Furthermore, the present invention relates to a water vapor cutting device provided with at least one tank for a liquid, a current source, a control device, and a cutting torch for producing a cutting beam exiting from a nozzle, which torch is connected to said tank via a feed line. 
     The present invention also relates to a control device for a water vapor cutting device provided with a storage element for process parameters and process procedures, which device is connected to a current source and a feeding device for liquids, particularly a pump or a locking element and/or a locking member of said water vapor cutting device, wherein said water vapor cutting device is provided with a tank that may be filled with liquid and a cutting torch connected to said tank and said current source. 
     Finally, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a water vapor cutting device, wherein the mode of operation of said water vapor cutting device is controlled by means of a control device by transmitting signals to a current source and to a liquid feeding device so that said liquid may be supplied from a fillable tank to a cutting torch and said cutting torch may be supplied with electric power from the current source if necessary. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     EP 1 050 200 B1 discloses a water vapor cutting device provided with at least one container for a liquid, a current source, a control device, and a cutting torch connected to said container or tank via a feed line to produce a water vapor plasma beam exiting via a nozzle. Said container may be designed as or may be connected to an exchangeable gas bottle or gas cartridge having a pre-defined internal pressure. Such pressure container allows supply of liquid from said container to said cutting torch without requiring a pump. For example, in a described embodiment the gas from said gas bottle flows into said container holding liquid and forms a pressure cushion forcing said liquid out of an exit opening of said container. 
     However, EP 1 050 200 B1 does not disclose how said tank of said cutting device is filled with liquid from a cartridge. Only one embodiment shows that this may be effected using an open container and a filling vent. This, however, proves hardly comfortable because it requires a locally fixed infrastructure, e.g. a connection to a water pipe, to fill said container, which can not be transported once it is filled. In addition, filling said tank takes a lot of time because said liquid flows into said tank only rather slowly as no additional pressure is applied. Therefore, it would be helpful to have a water vapor cutting device wherein said liquid may be filled in as independently of any infrastructure as possible. Moreover, the resources, particularly water, should be used as efficiently as possible, i.e. the liquid should be transferred into the tank without leaving a residue, without the risk of spilling, and as quickly as possible. 
     The above prior art systems also have the disadvantage that the liquid in the container can not be used up completely to subsequently re-fill the container. This may cause malfunctioning of the cutting process or may damage the torch because when the tank is emptied, air may be sucked into the lines or the tank, so that the system can not be guaranteed to operate properly any more. This means that, disadvantageously, the liquid resources can not be used optimally. However, it should be ensured that a cutting process may be carried out properly after the tank has been filled, i.e. that there are no air bubbles in the feed line leading to the cutting torch that may hinder the generation of water vapor and thus negatively affect the cutting process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to overcome the prior art disadvantages mentioned above, to improve mobility and efficiency of a water vapor cutting device, and to provide the respective devices and methods for this purpose. In particular, the liquid resources used for the cutting process of a water vapor cutting device should be used more efficiently. 
     The object of the present invention is achieved individually by a coupling device wherein a metering device is provided in the housing, said metering device defining a locking position wherein no cartridge is mounted on said housing and the output orifice is locked, and said metering device also defining a releasing position into which said metering device is displaceable, particularly by mounting the cartridge on the housing, and in which the output orifice is released. This embodiment is advantageous because the metering device of the coupling device also functions as a lock valve being opened mechanically when the cartridge is mounted. As opposed to prior art embodiments, wherein a certain minimum pressure inside the cartridge is required to open a check valve or similar, in the present invention no excessive pressure inside the cartridge is required to bring the coupling device from the locking position into the releasing position. This is particularly advantageous because the cartridge may be emptied to a very large extent, because when it is almost completely empty the excessive pressure inside the cartridge is relieved and the remaining liquid may flow out of the cartridge under essentially atmospheric pressure. Thus, the liquid resources may be exploited more fully, reducing costs and saving resources. 
     In another advantageous embodiment, the channel having an output orifice is arranged in a hollow bolt held in the housing so as to be displaceable in the direction of a longitudinal central axis. A metering device of such design allows the coupling device to take two positions, i.e. the locking position and the releasing position, by displacing the hollow bolt, not requiring any complicated construction. 
     Because the output orifice is located in an end area of said hollow bolt, said hollow bolt advantageously has to be displaced only over a short distance in the longitudinal direction to bring the output orifice in the releasing position outside the housing. 
     Further, advantageously, at least one bore is provided in the end area of said hollow bolt extending across the thickness of the wall in a transverse direction with respect to said longitudinal central axis. Thus, in the locking position said output orifice may easily be provided within said housing, with said output orifice being covered by a side wall of said housing. 
     As in the locking position said output orifice is covered or locked by a side wall of said housing, it is not necessary to provide a separate locking mechanism for said output orifice, thus allowing the coupling device to be of a simple and compact structure. 
     In this context, in a practical embodiment said output orifice in the releasing position may be provided outside said housing by displacing it over a defined displacement range. This allows easy displacement of said output orifice when the cartridge, particularly a dispenser, is of appropriate structure. 
     Providing the metering device in the receiving area with a stop surface for a dispenser of said cartridge, which defines the displacement range, is a simple and effective way of positioning said cartridge on said coupling device in the mounted position on said coupling device. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment, said stop surface is beveled at an angle with respect to said longitudinal central axis of said housing, said angle preferably corresponding to an angle at which a stop surface of said cartridge is beveled, because this allows said cartridge to take a position on said coupling device that is defined in all spatial directions. Moreover, said stop surface of said cartridge or housing defines the displacement range, i.e. the releasing position. In this respect, it is also advantageous that certain types of cartridges having a manually deactivated locking mechanism for the inside chamber may easily be opened in this position by applying a force to a cartridge container mounted on said coupling device, so that the locking mechanism will release the chamber inside said cartridge, thus providing a flow connection between said inside chamber and the channel. This prevents the liquid from being spilled when filling the tank. 
     Advantageously, a dispenser of said cartridge is formed by a trunnion, particularly a trunnion shaped as a hollow cylinder, and by said stop surface, with said displacement range between the locking and the releasing positions being determined by one length of said trunnion. Thus, when mounting on said coupling device, said trunnion of said dispenser may first engage with said hollow bolt and displace it until said stop surface of said dispenser comes to rest on said housing. 
     In an end area where said input orifice is provided, said hollow bolt is provided with a stop surface for said trunnion of said dispenser of said cartridge. Therefore, the displacement range may e.g. be varied by varying the length of said trunnion. 
     In a further advantageous embodiment, in a filling position, wherein an orifice or said locking mechanism of said cartridge is open or deactivated and said metering device is positioned in the releasing position, a flow connection is provided between a chamber inside said cartridge and said channel. Such filling position, which is taken when said coupling device is in the releasing position, ensures that the liquid from said cartridge will only flow into said tank. Moreover, the tank filling process may be controlled by a user, and optionally only part of the content of said cartridge may be filled into said tank. 
     Advantageously, said metering device is provided with an elastic element, particularly a spring or an elastic cushion holding said hollow bolt or said output orifice in the locking position. This allows easy definition of said locking position, and said coupling device is easily brought into the releasing position by overcoming the force of said spring, as explained above. 
     Suitably, said housing is shaped like a tube, particularly like a hollow cylinder. 
     Moreover, advantageously, the end area of said hollow bolt is provided with a stop element and/or a sealing element which, in the locking position, is adjacent to a front surface of said housing. Thus, said hollow bolt, pre-stressed by said elastic element, may be positioned in the locking position by said stop element. In addition, the chamber inside said housing, where the channel having said input and output orifices is provided, may be sealed by said sealing element in the channel output orifice area. Therefore, in the locking position of said coupling device, said chamber inside said tank is sealed tightly against the outside. This is particularly advantageous because when said coupling device is in the locking position, no gas or liquid may leak through the channel from said tank, on which said coupling device is provided. 
     Another individual way to achieve the objects of the present invention relates to a water vapor cutting device, wherein the tank is provided with a coupling device according to any one of claims  1  to  14  or according to the above description, and wherein, in the releasing position of said coupling device, a chamber inside said tank is fluidically connected to said output orifice of said channel of said coupling device. Allowing the use of liquid cartridges, such water vapor cutting device may be used in a very flexible and mobile way, also allowing highly efficient use of liquid resources. Therefore, said tank requires less frequent fillings, resulting in less maintenance requirements for maintenance personnel. 
     As said tank is provided with a de-gassing device, the air displaced by liquid when filling the tank may escape, thus allowing swift filling of said tank without any problems. 
     An embodiment wherein the cutting torch or the line are provided with a de-gassing device is advantageous because any air or gas that may be present in said components may escape, allowing uninterrupted liquid supply to said cutting torch. 
     If said cutting torch or said line is provided with a locking member connected to the control device, the liquid may, advantageously, not escape from said cutting torch when said line and said cutting torch are re-filled with said liquid. Optionally, a certain excess pressure may be generated, but at least said liquid will be distributed without bubbles in said line or cutting torch. 
     Another individual way to achieve the objects of the present invention refers to a control device wherein definitions for carrying out a maintenance mode, particularly a filling mode, are stored in a storage element, allowing checking and/or restoration of operability of said water vapor cutting device, and wherein an activating element is coupled with said control device, said activating element being designed such that said maintenance mode is initialized when said activating element is actuated or when a filling incident is detected. 
     Designing said activating element as an operating element, particularly a key, gives a user an additional opportunity for adjusting said water vapor cutting torch, which helps improve the cutting process. 
     Easy operation by the staff is achieved by providing said operating element on an input and/or output device of said water vapor cutting device. 
     For easy operation, it is also suitable to arrange said operating element on said cutting torch. 
     Also, said activating element may be formed by a detecting means, particularly a sensor, provided to monitor said tank. This means that said control device may detect whether or not said tank has been filled, thus allowing the maintenance mode to be initialized automatically or in conjunction with this incident. 
     Said detecting means may be coupled with said coupling device which particularly has the characteristic features mentioned above, for monitoring said coupling device, with said detecting means detecting whether or not a cartridge is being coupled to said tank. 
     Furthermore, the object of the present invention is individually achieved by a method wherein, depending on an activating element, a maintenance procedure, particularly a filling mode, is called by a control device, during which mode or procedure operability of said water vapor cutting device, particularly the presence or distribution of liquid in the line and in the cutting torch, is checked and/or restored, and to restore operability, liquid is supplied into said cutting torch and into said line leading to said torch without said cutting torch carrying out a cutting process. Such embodiments or methods advantageously allow more efficient use of the liquid in the tank. The maintenance mode ensures that operability of the water vapor cutting torch will be restored even after the tank has been emptied completely or to a large extent. For this purpose, the distribution of liquid in the cutting torch and in the line is brought back to normal levels, removing enclosed air etc. Thus, after carrying out a maintenance mode, a cutting process may be carried out properly. 
     Advantageously, before carrying out a cutting process using the cutting torch, the activating element is actuated or activated via a coupling device particularly having the characteristic features mentioned above, after the tank has been filled for the first time or re-filled. This is a security measure that may have to be carried out before starting the subsequent cutting process, thus increasing total process safety. 
     Suitably, the relevant parameters for carrying out a maintenance procedure are called from a storage element, and the liquid supply device, particularly a pump, a locking element of said supply device, and/or a locking member in the area of the cutting torch are controlled accordingly, because the use of prior art electronic control devices, particularly microprocessor controls, allows flexible and adjustable control of various components depending on program routines stored in said storage element. 
     A method wherein during a maintenance procedure a flow control device or a pressure control device check whether or not the cutting torch or the feed line are supplied with liquid, optionally by applying a minimum pressure to said line, is advantageous because it allows determination of whether or not operability of said water vapor cutting device has been restored. 
     As during a maintenance procedure the line and the cutting torch are degassed, particularly via a degassing means, any enclosed air that might cause malfunctioning of the cutting process may be removed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will now be explained in greater detail using the attached drawings, which are schematic representations, wherein 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of a water vapor cutting device; 
         FIG. 2  is a section through a coupling device of a tank of the water vapor cutting device according to  FIG. 1  in the locking position; 
         FIG. 3  is the coupling device according to  FIG. 2  in the releasing position, with the liquid cartridge closed; 
         FIG. 4  is the coupling device according to  FIG. 3  with the liquid cartridge opened to fill the tank of the water vapor cutting device; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of another embodiment of the coupling device having a liquid cartridge; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a coupling device according to  FIGS. 2 to 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a functional scheme of another embodiment of the water vapor cutting device. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a water vapor cutting device  1  for a water vapor cutting process, provided with a supply device  2 . Said supply device  2  comprises a current source  3 , a control device  4 , a locking element  5  assigned to said control device  4 , and a tank  6 . Said locking element  5  is connected to said tank  6  and to a tool formed by a cutting torch  7  via a feed line  8 , so that said cutting torch  7  may be supplied with liquid  9  provided in said tank  6 , particularly water. Said cutting torch  7  is supplied with energy, particularly current and voltage, via lines  10 ,  11  from said supply device  2 . 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For cooling, said cutting torch  7  is optionally connected to a liquid-filled container  14  via a cooling circuit  12  optionally equipped with a flow control device  13 . When said cutting torch  7  or said supply device  2  are put into operation, said cooling circuit  12  may be started by said control device  4 , thus cooling said cutting torch  7  via said cooling circuit  12 . Said cutting torch  7  is connected to said liquid-filled container  14  via cooling lines  15 ,  16  to form said cooling circuit  12 . Said cutting torch  7  may also be cooled by said liquid  9  to be vaporized provided in said tank  6 , which liquid is transported to said cutting torch  7  via said feed line  8 . In this case, a separate cooling circuit  12  may not be necessary. 
     Furthermore, said supply device  2  has an input and/or output device  17  for setting and/or displaying various parameters and modes of operation of said water vapor cutting device  1 . The parameters set via said input and/or output device  17  are communicated to said control device  4 , which will then activate the individual water vapor cutting device  1  components accordingly. 
     Of course, said cutting torch  7  need not necessarily be connected to said supply device  2  via said individual lines  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  15 ,  16 , as shown in the present embodiment, but at least some of said individual lines  8 ,  10 ,  11 ,  15 ,  16  may also be taken together in a hose assembly (not shown) connected to said cutting torch  7  and said supply device  2  via a coupling element, particularly a connecting plug. 
     In addition, said cutting torch  7  may be provided with at least one first operating element  18 , particularly a push button  19 . From said first operating element  18 , particularly said push button  19 , a user may order said control device  4  from said cutting torch  7  to start or carry out a water vapor cutting process by activating and/or de-activating said element  18 . Furthermore, said input and/or output device  17  may e.g. be used for pre-setting, particularly pre-defining the material to be cut, the liquid to be used, and e.g. current and voltage characteristics. Said cutting torch  7  may of course be equipped with further operating elements for setting one or more operation parameters of said water vapor cutting device  1  from said cutting torch  7 . Said operating elements may be connected to said supply device  2 , particularly to said control device  4 , directly via lines or via a bus system. 
     When said first operating element  18  is actuated, said control device  4  will activate the individual components necessary for the water vapor cutting process. For example, first a feeding device  20  for said liquid  9 , particularly a pump  21 , a blocking element  5 , and said current source  3  are activated, thus starting supply of said cutting torch  7  with said liquid  9  and electric power. Subsequently, said control device  4  will optionally activate said cooling circuit  12 , thus allowing cooling of said cutting torch  7 . As said cutting torch  7  is supplied with liquid  9  and energy, particularly current and voltage, said liquid  9  in said cutting torch  7  is transformed into high temperature gas  22  or vapor, and a plasma column is generated so that said gas  22  exiting said cutting torch  7  may be used to cut a work piece  23 . The exact process of transforming said liquid  9  into said gas  22  may be learned from AT 406 559 B by the present applicant. 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the water vapor cutting device  1  in the area of tank  6 . A coupling device  24  is provided on said tank  6 , on which coupling device a cartridge  25  or a pressure gas pack may be mounted. Said coupling device  24  serves to provide a connection between a chamber  26  inside said cartridge  25  and a chamber  27  inside said tank  6 , so that medium may flow from said chamber  26  inside said cartridge  25  into said tank  6 . 
     Said cartridge  25  contains at least said liquid  9 , particularly water, and said chamber  26  inside said cartridge  25  is preferably under excessive pressure, so that said liquid  9  will exit at high speed when a dispenser  28  is opened. Such cartridges  25  are known from prior art, so its construction and function to produce excessive pressure are not discussed in greater detail here. Advantageously, the construction of the coupling device  24  according to the present invention even allows use of cartridges  25  or containers having no excessive pressure, i.e. having atmospheric pressure. 
     Said coupling device  24  has a housing  29  provided with a receiving area  30 . Said receiving area  30  is designed such that said cartridge  25  with its dispenser  28  may be mounted on said housing  29 . In the embodiment shown, said dispenser  28  of said cartridge  25  is formed by a cylindrical trunnion  31  having an output orifice  33  at a front surface area  32 . The end area  34  of said trunnion  31  opposite said front surface area  32  has a stop surface  35  which is particularly beveled at an angle  36  with respect to a longitudinal central axis  37  of said cartridge  25 . 
     Furthermore, said coupling device  24  has a metering device  38  allowing control of filling said tank  6  by means of said cartridge  25 . For this purpose, a channel  39  is assigned to said metering device  38 , which channel has at least one input orifice  40  and one output orifice  41 . Said input orifice  40  may be flowingly connected to said output orifice  33  of said cartridge  25 , and said output orifice  41  of said metering device  38  may be opened to the outside, in particular, it may be flowingly connected to said chamber  27  inside said tank  6 . 
     Said metering device  38  is formed such that said coupling device  24  may at least take one locking position and one releasing position. In the locking position defined by said metering device  38 , said output orifice  41  of said channel  39  is closed, so that no liquid may exit through said channel  39 . In the releasing position, said output orifice  41  of said channel  39  is open and accessible from outside, so that any liquid present in said channel  39  may exit through said output orifice  41 . 
     In the normal state, i.e. when said metering device  38  is not subject to any outside forces, said coupling device  24  is in the locking position. Said coupling device  24  may be brought from the locking position into the releasing position by means of said metering device  38 . Preferably, this is effected by mounting said cartridge  25  on said receiving area  30  of said coupling device  24 , with said mounting causing displacement of said output orifice  41  and said channel  39 . 
     In order to allow this to happen, in the present example said channel  39  is provided in a hollow bolt  42  held in said housing  29  so as to be longitudinally displaceable. In said receiving area  30 , a front stop surface  43  is provided on said hollow bolt  42 , and when said cartridge  25  is mounted on said coupling device  2 , said stop surface  43  will contact one front surface  44  of said trunnion  31  of said cartridge  25 . 
     Furthermore, said metering device  38  is provided with an elastic element  45 , particularly a spring  46 , an elastic cushion, or something similar that holds said hollow bolt or said output orifice in the locking position when not under pressure or stress. Said spring  46  is e.g. provided inside said housing  29 , and it rests on a supporting surface  47  of said hollow bolt  42  and on a supporting surface  48  of said housing  29 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this case, said spring  46  is a pressure spring optionally forcing said hollow bolt  42  against a projection  49  of said housing  29 , thus allowing definition of the locking position of said coupling device  24 . 
     When said hollow bolt  42  is subjected to a force in the direction of arrow  50 , said force acting against the spring force of said element  45 , said hollow bolt  42  may be displaced in the direction of its longitudinal central axis  51 . For this purpose, said housing  29  is provided with an internal hollow space  52  surrounded by a side wall  53  and a front wall  54 . Said front wall is provided with a cavity  55  through which said hollow bolt  42  extends in the releasing position. 
     One end area  56  of said hollow bolt  42  in said receiving area  30  for said cartridge  25  is e.g. formed by a recess and projection, respectively (shown in the figure) which, on the inside, form the stop surface  43  for said trunnion  31  of said cartridge  25  and, on the outside, form the support surface  47  for said spring  46 . Preferably, a mounting or stop element  58 , e.g. a screw nut  59  and a sealing element  60 , particularly a sealing ring, are provided in the further end area  57  of said hollow bolt  42 . In the locking position of said coupling device  24 , said stop element  58  and said sealing element  60  are adjacent to the front wall  54  of said housing  29  and are pre-stressed by said spring  46 , so that said hollow space  52  of said housing  29  is sealed against the outside in the locking position. In the example shown, the locking position of said coupling device  24  is defined by said stop element  58  or said sealing element  60  adjacent to said front wall  54 . 
     The position of said coupling device  24  on said supply device  2 , particularly said tank  6 , is fixed by means of a fixing means  61 , particularly a thread, with the longitudinal central axis  51  of said coupling device  24  preferably being essentially perpendicular to a horizontal standing surface of said supply device  2 . A sealing element between said tank  6  and said housing  29  may serve to seal the chamber  27  inside said tank  6 . Said sealing element is not described in detail, but it is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Said receiving area  30  of said housing  29  for said cartridge  25  is provided with a stop surface  62  defining an end position of said cartridge  25  when mounting it on said coupling device  24 . For this purpose, said stop surface  35  of said dispenser  28  contacts said stop surface  62  of said receiving area  30 . Preferably, said stop surface  62  is beveled at an angle  63  with respect to said longitudinal central axis  51 , which angle corresponds to said angle  36  of said stop surface  35  of said dispenser  28 . 
     Preferably, said output orifice  41  of said metering device  38  is provided in the end area  57  of said hollow bolt  42  opposite said input orifice  40 . In particular, said hollow bolt  42  is provided with at least one through bore(s)  64  (two bores in  FIG. 2 ) extending through the thickness of a wall  65  of said hollow bolt  42  transversely with respect to said longitudinal central axis  51 . 
     In such embodiment, in the locking position of said coupling device  24  said bores  64  are located inside said hollow space  52  of said housing  29  and are closed or not accessible from outside. In the locking position of said coupling device  24 , said channel  39  is sealed off from said chamber  27  inside said tank  6  by said side wall  53 , said front wall  54 , and said sealing element  60 . 
     Said coupling device  24  is brought from the locking position into the releasing position by subjecting said stop surface  43  of said hollow bolt  42  to a force in the direction of arrow  50 , which force is stronger than the spring force of said element  45  acting in the opposite direction. If this is the case, said hollow bolt  42  will be moved in the direction of said arrow  50  until a displacement range  66  is reached, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The adjustment range of said hollow bolt  42  is limited to said displacement range  66  by a stop on said housing  29  limiting the movement of any operating element. In the example, said stop is formed by said stop surface  62  in said receiving area  30  of said housing  29 , positioning said dispenser  28  of said cartridge  25  in the direction of said longitudinal central axis  51  when mounting it on said coupling device  24 . While in the final releasing position of said coupling device  24  said stop surface  35  of said dispenser  28  rests on said stop surface  62  of said housing  29 , said front surface  44  of said trunnion  31  will first contact said stop surface  43  of said hollow bolt  42 , so that when said trunnion  31  is moved in the direction of said arrow  50 , said hollow bolt  42  will be displaced with respect to said housing  29  until said dispenser  28  comes to rest on said stop surface  62  and said displacement range  66  is reached. 
     Said displacement range  66  is also determined by the constructive embodiment of said dispenser  28 . In the present example, said displacement range is essentially one length  67  of said trunnion minus one width  68  of said projection  49 . 
       FIG. 3  shows said coupling device  24  in the releasing position. This figure shows that said output orifice  41  of said channel  39  is now located outside said housing  29 , and a flow connection is established between said chamber  27  inside said tank  6  and said channel  39  of said coupling device  24 . 
     Now that said cartridge  25  is open (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), the liquid  9  present in its interior chamber  26  may flow into the input orifice  40  of said channel  39  and, via said channel  39 , into said tank  6 . It should be noted that an additional step may be required to open said cartridge  25 , depending on the type of cartridge used. 
     In the present example, a cartridge  25  having a locking mechanism  69  is used, which has to be deactivated in the releasing position of said coupling device  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Deactivation of said locking mechanism  69  is effected by moving said dispenser  28  relatively to the remaining container  70  of said cartridge  25  in the direction of double arrow  71 . Thus, said locking mechanism  69  will release the chamber  26  inside said container  70 , and said liquid  9  will exit from said output orifice  33  of said dispenser  28 . Said relative movement between said dispenser  28  and said container  70  of said cartridge  25  is easily effected by applying a force to said container  70  while said dispenser  28  is located in the receiving area  30  of said coupling device  24 . In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , this is symbolized by a distance  72  by which said container  70  is moved in the direction of said dispenser  28  until it reaches the final position ( FIG. 4 ). Said dispenser  28 , comprising said trunnion  31  and a stop having a stop surface  35 , is preferably made of plastic and is located so as to be displaceable with respect to said container  70 , e.g. via an elastic cushion  73 .  FIG. 4  shows the filling position of said coupling device  24  and said cartridge  25  to fill said tank  6  with liquid  9 , with said elastic cushion  73  being compressed accordingly. 
     According to the present invention, said elastic cushion  73  will expand laterally when applying pressure after said stop surface  35  has contacted said support surface  62 , and will adjust to said receiving area  30 , particularly to said side surfaces and/or said front surface and/or said stop surface  35  of said coupling device  24 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Advantageously, this provides a sealing function so that any liquid  9  exiting said cartridge  25  may not escape to the back, i.e. said liquid  9 , being under pressure, may only escape through said bore  64  because the back part of said coupling device  24  is sealed. 
     It may be noted that it is possible, of course, to use cartridges  25  having other locking mechanisms  69  known from prior art. They may be filled with water, which may optionally contain various admixtures. Moreover, they may be partly filled with compressed gas or they may be equipped with any pressure producing device to produce excessive pressure in said container  70 . 
     With respect to said coupling device  24  it should be noted that it may have a handling area  75  on one outside  74  of said housing  29 , which handling area may e.g. be structured or embossed ( 76 ) to render said coupling device  24  easy to handle and mount. Of course, recesses or projections, roughenings, rubber elements, knobs or similar may be provided in said handling area  75  for the same purpose. 
     Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the filling position, a lock may be provided between said dispenser  28  and said coupling device  24  so that said cartridge  25  will automatically remain open and may be emptied.  FIG. 5  shows an example of such locking mechanism  77 . Said locking mechanism  77  is formed by a thread  78  in the receiving area  30  of said housing  29  and a thread  79  on said dispenser  28 . When said cartridge  25  is mounted on said coupling device  24 , as mentioned above, and then said cartridge  25  is twisted to allow said threads  78 ,  79  to engage, said cartridge  25  may be fixed to said coupling device  24  in its open position. Furthermore, said locking mechanism  77  may, apart from fixing said cartridge  25 , also cause said cartridge  25  to open, but this is not shown in detail. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the example of said coupling device  24 . It shows that said housing  29  and said hollow bolt  42  are essentially cylindrical. An optional element of said locking mechanism  77  is indicated by a broken line. 
       FIGS. 2 and 7  further show that preferably a degassing device  80  is assigned to said tank  6 . Said degassing device  80  is e.g. formed by a pressure control valve  81  so that any excessive pressure in said tank  6 , which may occur when said tank  6  is filled with said liquid  9 , may be relieved. The air in said tank  6  displaced by said liquid  9  exits through an opening  82  of said degassing device  80 . Preferably, said degassing device  80  will lock automatically, as symbolized by a spring element  83  in  FIG. 2 . 
     Moreover,  FIG. 7  shows that a locking member  84  may be provided in said feed line  8  or in said cutting torch  7 , which member may interrupt liquid supply to said cutting torch  7  if necessary. If said locking member  84  is activated, liquid  9  supplied to said cutting torch  7  via said feed line  8  may not exit from said cutting torch  7 . Thus, said feed line  8  and said cutting torch  7  may be supplied with or subjected to liquid  9 , while optionally a defined pressure may be generated in said feed line  8  via said feeding device  20 . Furthermore, a degassing device  85  may be assigned to said cutting torch  7  and/or said feed line  8 , to allow escape of any gas, particularly air, present in said feed line  8  or in said cutting torch  7  that may have been sucked up by said feeding device  20  when said tank  6  was empty. Thus, gas enclosures in the supply of liquid to said cutting torch  7  may be avoided after said tank  6  has been re-filled so that a cutting process may be started without problems. 
     In an individual embodiment, the present invention further relates to a control device  4  for said water vapor cutting device  1 , and to a method for controlling said water vapor cutting device  1 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of said water vapor cutting device  1 . The control device  4  has a storage element  86  storing process parameters and process procedures, preferably in digital form. 
     The components of said water vapor cutting device  1  may be controlled according to said stored performance definitions of various process procedures. Said control device  4  may be provided with a microprocessor control for processing digital signals and data. Said control device  4  may be connected to the controlled components via signal lines, e.g. a data bus. Such kind of particularly digital control systems are known in the art and are therefore not disclosed or explained in greater detail here. 
     In addition to a process procedure for carrying out a cutting process, wherein said cutting torch  7  discharges a cutting beam to work a work piece  23 , said storage element  86  also contains a process procedure for carrying out a maintenance mode or maintenance procedure, particularly a so-called filling mode. In said maintenance mode, operability of said water vapor cutting device  1  is checked and/or restored after said water vapor cutting device  1  has been maintained. For example, said maintenance mode may be carried out after said tank  6  has been filled or re-filled with liquid  9  to make sure that there is sufficient liquid  9  in said feed line  8  and said cutting torch  7  to carry out a cutting process properly. In said maintenance mode, said control device  4  contacts said feeding device  20  for said liquid  9  so that said liquid  9  is supplied to said cutting torch  7  via said feed line  8  leading thereto. 
     Said control device  4  is coupled with an activating element  87  that may be activated or actuated to initialize said maintenance mode. Said activating element  87  is preferably formed by an operating element  88 , particularly a key  89 . Said operating element  88  may be assigned to said input and/or output device  17  on said supply device  2 , or it may be provided on said cutting torch  7  as an individual element or combined with said operating element  18 . When carrying out said maintenance procedure, the relevant process parameters are called from a storage element, and said feeding device  20  for said liquid  9 , particularly said pump  21 , and said locking element  5  and/or said locking member  84  are controlled accordingly. Preferably, in said maintenance mode no electric energy is transmitted to said cutting torch  7  to produce an arc, and said control device  4  will control said current source  3  accordingly. 
     Optionally, said water vapor cutting device  1  is provided with a flow control device or a pressure control device coupled with said control device  4  for detecting the distribution of liquid in said cutting torch  7  and in said feed line  8 . For example, during a maintenance procedure said flow control device or pressure control device will check whether said cutting torch  7  or said feed line  8  are well supplied with said liquid  9  or whether there is a defined minimum pressure in said line  7 . When said flow control device or pressure control device detect that said liquid is properly distributed, the maintenance mode will be stopped. 
     If said activating element  87  is formed by an operating element  88 , the maintenance mode may be initialized by maintenance personnel by hand after filling said tank  6  by actuating said operating element  82 . 
     Optionally, an activating element  87  (represented by broken lines in  FIG. 7 ) designed as a detector or sensor may be assigned to said tank  6  or said coupling device  24 , which will automatically inform said control device  4  whether or not said tank  6  has been filled, i.e. whether or not a cartridge  25  has been coupled to said coupling device. This makes sure that said maintenance mode may only be carried out after said tank  6  has been filled, and said maintenance mode may optionally be called automatically by said control device  24 . Moreover, said control device  4  may block a cutting process by said cutting torch  7  until the maintenance mode has been carried out. 
     In another possible embodiment, an operating element  88  and a detector are provided to allow said maintenance mode to be initialized by hand via said operating element  88  according to the states detected by said detector. Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out a maintenance mode every time said operating element  82  is actuated or a cutting process is initialized, so that operability of said cutting device  1  may be checked as a security measure. 
     The individual embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  may be the subject matter of individual solutions according to the present invention. Such tasks and solutions according to the present invention may be derived from the detailed descriptions of said figures.

Technology Category: h