Felice M Sciulli

US Patent:

6361416, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Aug 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/383044

Inventors:

Jordan J. Hopkins - Shoreline WA
Jonathan M. Stewart - Seattle WA
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA
Katherine Zaring - Kent WA
Daniel Chin - Seattle WA
John Massenburg - Kent WA
Daniel Devine - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C 900

US Classification:

451 88, 451 87, 451456, 210767

Abstract:

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for recovering abrasive for use with abrasive jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the invention includes an abrasive-laden fluid handling device coupled to a catcher tank of an abrasive jet cutting system, a pre-classifier fluidly coupled to the abrasive-laden fluid handling device, a hydro-classifier fluidly coupled to the pre-classifier, a fine-particle separation tank fluidly coupled to a clarified-fluid flow outlet of the hydro-classifier, a wet abrasive receptacle positioned to receive a wet recovered abrasive discharged from the hydro-classifier, a de-watering device engageable with the wet recovered abrasive in wet abrasive receptacle, and a dryer unit. The abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include an abrasive-laden fluid conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the catcher tank and an abrasive-laden fluid outlet. Alternately, the abrasive-laden fluid handling device may include a fluid drive system.

US Patent:

6379214, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Aug 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/382554

Inventors:

Jonathan M. Stewart - Seattle WA
Thomas Pesek - Griesheim, DE
Volker Kern - Zornheim, DE
Chien Chou Wu - Hsin Chu, TW
Daniel Chin - Seattle WA
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C 100

US Classification:

451 2, 451 3, 451 5, 451 10, 451 24, 451 38, 83 22, 83 66, 83 73, 83177

Abstract:

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet and abrasive-jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a linear rail, a slide member coupleable to a cutting head and slideably coupled to the linear rail, at least one actuator having a first end coupled to the slide member and a second end fixed with respect to the linear rail, a position sensor, and a controller. The actuator provides an adjustable support force that supports the weight of the cutting head, allowing the cutting head to be controllably positioned at a desired height above the workpiece. The actuator may include a pneumatic cylinder, or alternately, a linear motor. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a first mount member coupleable to a controllably positionable mounting surface of the waterjet cutting system, a second mount member coupleable to the cutting head and disengageably coupled to the first mount member, and a sensing circuit having a plurality of first conductive elements disposed on the first mount member and a plurality of second conductive elements disposed on the second mount member. In the event of a collision between the cutting head and an obstruction, the second mount member disengages from the first mount member to prevent breakage of the cutting head.

US Patent:

6464567, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919634

Inventors:

Mohamed A. Hashish - Bellevue WA
Steven J. Craigen - Auburn WA
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA
Yasuo Baba - Nagoya, JP

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C 504

US Classification:

451 38, 451 41, 451102

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.

US Patent:

6540586, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Jan 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/754851

Inventors:

Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C 100

US Classification:

451 2, 451 3, 451 5, 451 10, 451 24, 451 38, 83 22, 83 66, 83 73, 83177

Abstract:

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for collision detection and recovery for waterjet and abrasive-jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first mount member coupleable to a controllably positionable mounting portion of the cutting system, and a second mount member coupleable to the cutting head and disengageably or movably coupled to the first mount member. Embodiments of the inventions may also have a sensing circuit having at least one first conductive element disposed on the first mount member and at least one second conductive element disposed on the second mount member. In the event of a collision between the cutting head and an obstruction, the second mount member disengages from or moves with respect to the first mount member to prevent breakage of the cutting head. This movement causes the first and second conductive elements to touch, signaling a collision and shutting down one or more internal systems. Following the collision, the second mount member is quickly and easily re-engaged with the first mount member without time-consuming re-calibration.

US Patent:

6752686, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919646

Inventors:

Mohamed A. Hashish - Bellevue WA
Steven J. Craigen - Auburn WA
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA
Yasuo Baba - Nagoya, JP

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24L 504

US Classification:

451 3, 451102, 451 72, 451446, 51439

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.

US Patent:

6755725, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Jul 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/919666

Inventors:

Mohamed A. Hashish - Bellevue WA
Steven J. Craigen - Auburn WA
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA
Yasuo Baba - Nagoya, JP

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C 504

US Classification:

451101, 451102, 451 72, 451446, 51439

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.

US Patent:

6852002, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

May 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/861144

Inventors:

Jonathan M. Stewart - Seattle WA, US
Thomas Pesek - Griesheim, DE
Volker Kern - Zornheim, DE
Chien Chou Wu - Hsin Chu, TW
Daniel Chin - Seattle WA, US
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA, US

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C001/00
B26D007/00

US Classification:

451 2, 451 3, 451 5, 451 10, 451 24, 451 38, 83 22, 83 66, 83 73, 83177

Abstract:

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for z-axis control and collision detection and recovery for waterjet and abrasive-jet cutting systems. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a linear rail, a slide member coupleable to a cutting head and slideably coupled to the linear rail, at least one actuator having a first end coupled to the slide member and a second end fixed with respect to the linear rail, a position sensor, and a controller. The actuator provides an adjustable support force that supports the weight of the cutting head, allowing the cutting head to be controllably positioned at a desired height above the workpiece. The actuator may include a pneumatic cylinder, or alternately, a linear motor. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a first mount member coupleable to a controllably positionable mounting surface of the waterjet cutting system, a second mount member coupleable to the cutting head and disengageably coupled to the first mount member, and a sensing circuit having a plurality of first conductive elements disposed on the first mount member and a plurality of second conductive elements disposed on the second mount member. In the event of a collision between the cutting head and an obstruction, the second mount member disengages from the first mount member to prevent breakage of the cutting head.

US Patent:

6875084, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/878786

Inventors:

Mohamed A. Hashish - Bellevue WA, US
Steven J. Craigen - Auburn WA, US
Felice M. Sciulli - Issaquah WA, US
Yasuo Baba - Nagoya, JP

Assignee:

Flow International Corporation - Kent WA

International Classification:

B24C005/04

US Classification:

451 38, 451 72, 451101, 451102, 451439, 451446, 83 53, 83117

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling the coherence of a high-pressure fluid jet directed toward a selected surface. In one embodiment, the coherence is controlled by manipulating a turbulence level of the fluid forming the fluid jet. The turbulence level can be manipulated upstream or downstream of a nozzle orifice through which the fluid passes. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid is a first fluid and a secondary fluid is entrained with the first fluid. The resulting fluid jet, which includes both the primary and secondary fluids, can be directed toward the selected surface so as to cut, mill, roughen, peen, or otherwise treat the selected surface. The characteristics of the secondary fluid can be selected to either increase or decrease the coherence of the fluid jet. In other embodiments, turbulence generators, such as inverted conical channels, upstream orifices, protrusions and other devices can be positioned upstream of the nozzle orifice to control the coherence of the resulting fluid jet.