Multiple-orifice jewel for fluid-jet device

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for generating a fluid-jet stream through a multiple-orifice jewel so that abrasive particulates can more evenly distributed in the resultant fluid-abrasive stream. In an embodiment, a fluid-jet cutting device may include a fluid inlet configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply; which is coupled to a jewel having multiple orifices by which fluid may be pumped through to generate several separated fluid-jet streams. An abrasive inlet disposed adjacent to the first jewel surface may be configured to inject an abrasive into the vacuum created between a plurality of fluid-jet streams exiting the plurality of orifices of the jewel prior to a convergence point where the plurality of fluid-jet streams converge with each other and with the abrasive. In this manner, instead of remaining at the outskirts of the single fluid-jet stream as is the case with conventional fluid-jet cutting devices, the abrasive is more fully immersed in the converged fluid-jet stream.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jewel for a fluid-jet cutting device, comprising:
 a first jewel surface having a substantially flat surface disposed in a first plane;   a plurality of additional jewel surfaces, each additional jewel surface having a substantially flat surface disposed in a plane other than the first plane; and   a plurality of orifices disposed through the jewel such that each orifice extends from the first jewel surface to one of the plurality of additional jewel surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein the jewel comprises a super-hard material having a hardness greater than none on a Mohs scale. 
     
     
         3 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of additional jewel surfaces comprises four additional jewel surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices comprises four orifices. 
     
     
         5 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises an axis disposed at angle with respect to the first jewel surface. 
     
     
         6 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises an axis normal to one of the plurality of additional jewel surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The jewel of  claim 1 , further comprising a curved surface having a circumference, the curved surface contiguous with the first jewel surface and contiguous with each of the plurality of additional jewel surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . The jewel of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises an axis set at an angle, the angle of each axis configured so that each axis intersects at a single point beyond the first jewel surface. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly, comprising:
 a fluid inlet configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply;   a jewel disposed adjacent to the fluid inlet and having:
 a first jewel surface having a substantially flat surface disposed in a first plane; 
 a plurality of additional jewel surfaces, each additional jewel surface having a substantially flat surface disposed in a plane other than the first plane; and 
 a plurality of orifices disposed through the jewel such that each orifice extends from the first jewel surface to one of the plurality of additional jewel surfaces; and 
   an abrasive inlet disposed adjacent to the first jewel surface and configured to direct abrasive particles into a vacuum between a plurality of fluid-jet streams exiting the plurality of orifices of the jewel at an injection point prior to a convergence point where the plurality of fluid-jet streams converge with each other and with the abrasive,   
     
     
         10 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a nozzle disposed beyond the inlet after the convergence point. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a mixing tube disposed surrounding the injection point and the convergence point. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid inlet is further configured to be coupled to a fluid pump for pumping fluid through the fluid inlet. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the abrasive inlet is further configured to direct a metal abrasive at the injection point. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid-jet cutting device assembly of  claim 9 , wherein jewel comprises quadrants secured together, each quadrant comprising one and only one orifice. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 pumping fluid into an inlet toward a jewel;   forcing the fluid through a plurality of jewel orifices to generate a plurality of fluid-jet streams that exit the jewel;   creating a vacuum between the plurality of fluid-jet streams;   injecting abrasive into the vacuum at an injection point; and   converging each of the plurality of fluid-jet streams into a single stream with the abrasive beyond the injection point.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising generating a plurality of fluid-jet streams that are equidistant from each other when exiting the jewel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising generating the fluid-jet streams at an angle having an axis of propagation that intersects beyond the abrasive injection point. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising cutting an object with the converged fluid-abrasive stream. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the injection of abrasive into the vacuum to vary the quantity of abrasive in the converged fluid-abrasive stream. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the pumping of fluid into the jewel to change the velocity of the converged fluid-abrasive stream.