High pressure water jet cutting apparatus

Abstract

A high pressure water jet cutting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a cutting head body having a first end configured to connect to a water line, a second end configured to connect to a nozzle, and a passageway therethrough. One or more sensors is associated with the cutting head body, and an electrical connector is coupled to the sensor. The electrical connector is configured to transmit data from the sensor to detect the occurrence of an event.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A high pressure water jet cutting apparatus comprising:
 a cutting head body having a first end configured to connect to a water line, a second end configured to connect to a nozzle, and a passageway therethrough;   a sensor associated with the cutting head body; and   an electrical connector coupled to the sensor, the electrical connector configured to transmit data from the sensor to detect the occurrence of an event.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting head body further comprises an inlet for introducing an abrasive material, wherein the inlet is positioned on the cutting head body between the first end and the second end, and wherein the apparatus is configured to detect whether an abrasive material is being introduced into the cutting head body. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus is configured to detect whether water is flowing through the passageway. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor and wherein the apparatus is configured to detect whether the temperature of the cutting head body is above a threshold temperature which indicates the apparatus requires maintenance. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor associated with the cutting head body includes a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor is a vibration sensor and the second sensor is a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to dispense a water jet with a pressure of at least 40,000 psi. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to dispense a water jet with a pressure between 40,000 psi-90,000 psi. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the cutting head body has a threaded connection to couple the cutting head body to a water line. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the cutting head body has a threaded connection to couple the cutting head body to a nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing coupling the electrical connector to the cutting head body, wherein the housing encloses the sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is positioned on the cutting head body. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a high pressure water jet cutting apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a cutting head body having a first end configured to connect to a water line, a second end configured to connect to a nozzle, and a passageway therethrough;   dispensing water through the cutting head body passageway;   sensing the occurrence of an event with a sensor associated with the cutting head body; and   detecting the occurrence of an event with an electrical connector coupled to the sensor that is configured to transmit data from the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 introducing an abrasive into the cutting head body; and   wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor, and wherein the detecting the occurrence of an event includes detecting whether an abrasive material is being introduced into the cutting head body.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor, and wherein the detecting the occurrence of an event includes detecting whether water is flowing through the passageway. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor, and wherein the detecting the occurrence of an event includes detecting whether the temperature of the cutting head body is above a threshold temperature which indicates the apparatus requires maintenance.