[0001] This invention pertains to liquid-jet-cutting equipment, and in particular to catcher
tanks, i.e. receptacles, for the spent, liquid-jet-cutting liquid used in such equipment.
[0002] It is an object of the invention to set forth a catcher tank, for spent, liquid-jet-cutting
liquid, comprising a receptacle; said receptacle having a pair of opposed, substantially
vertical, end walls joined to a pair of opposed, substantially vertical, side walls,
and a bottom, joined to all said walls; wherein said bottom is joined to all said
walls, as aforesaid, at oblique/acute angles relative to at least one of said walls
of one of said pairs thereof.
[0003] Further objects of the invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become
more apparent by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the novel catcher tank;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view with a portion of the side paneling cut away to
show the bottom therein; and
Figure 3 is an end elevational view, again with a portion of end paneling cut away
to show some detail of the bottom and the handhole.
[0004] As shown in the figures, the tank 10 comprises a receptacle 12 having a pair of opposed,
vertical, end walls 14 and 16 which are joined to a pair of opposed, vertical, side
walls 18 and 20. The receptacle 12 is designed to be used
dry, i.e., no liquid is to accumulate therein. Consequently, the receptacle 12 has a
bottom 22, joined to each of the walls, which slopes to the transverse center 24,
and is also inclined to define a trough having lowermost locus or point 26. The one
side wall 18 has a drain hole 28 formed therein, in immediate adjacency to the aforesaid
locus or point 26, through which to evacuate the spent, liquid-jet-cutting liquid
from the tank 10.
[0005] The opposite side wall 20 has a plurality of apertures 30 formed therein, also in
immediate adjacency to the bottom 22, to accommodate flushing/washing nozzles (not
shown) for washing fluid to cleanse the bottom of scrap, cuttings and such detritus.
[0006] Commonly, liquid jets comprise an abrasive and, for that reason, the tank 10 uses
ablative plates (not shown) which occupy the bottom 22, and are emplaced thereon in
overlapped fashion, to dissipate the energy of the liquid jet -- be it solely liquid
or liquid and abrasive.
[0007] The side wall 20, which has the plurality of apertures 30 arrayed therein, also has
a handhole 32 formed therein. A cover 34 keeps the handhole 32 closed off when the
handhole is not being used for inspection, adjustment of the aforesaid ablative plates,
etc.
[0008] In each pair of opposed, parallel walls 14 and 16, and 18 and 20, and cater-corner
from each other, are vent holes 36. These allow for the exhaust of excess vapor fromthe
tank 10. Frequently, the materials being cut by the liquid jet are such as need to
be kept dry and, if the accumulating liquid vapors cannot escape from the tank 10,
they can rise through the cut kerf and dampen the materials. The vent holes 36 provide
for the escape ofthe vapors.
[0009] Figure 1 shows but a fragment of the chrome-plated, steel grate 38, which is set
upon the top of the receptacle 12. It is sacrificial and readily replaceable.
1. A catcher tank, for spent, liquid-jet-cutting liquid, comprising a receptacle (12);
said receptacle having a pair of opposed, substantially vertical, end walls (14, 16)
joined to a pair of opposed, substantially vertical, side walls (18, 20), and a bottom
(22), joined to all said walls, characterised in that said bottom is joined to all
said walls at oblique/acute angles relative to at least one of said walls of one of
said pairs thereof to define, of said bottom, a sloping trough having a lowermost
locus or point (26); and one of said walls has a drain hole (28) formed therein in
immediate adjacency to said locus or point for evacuating spent liquid therethrough
from said trough.
2. A catcher tank according to claim 1, characterised in that said bottom is joined
to all said walls at oblique/acute angles relative to at least one pair of said opposed
walls.
3. A catcher tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that one wall of one
of said pairs of walls has a plurality of apertures (30) formed therein, in adjacency
to said bottom, for accommodating washing fluid to cleanse said bottom.
4. A catcher tank according to claim 3, characterised in that said one wall of said
one pair of walls, having said apertures (30) therein, also has a handhole (32) formed
therein.
5. A catcher tank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
each pair of walls has vent holes (36) formed therein, cater-cornered from each other,
to accommodate for the escape therethrough of excess liquid vapours.
