Water-jet cutting system

Abstract

A water jet cutting system includes a supporting surface for supporting an object to be cut, a dispensing device for dispensing a jet of water against the object to be cut, a pressurized water generating apparatus in fluid communication with the dispensing device for supplying pressurized water to the dispensing device, and a support including a crosspiece positioned above the supporting surface for supporting the dispensing device and the pressurized water generating apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water jet cutting system, comprising:
 (a) a supporting surface for supporting an object to be cut;   (b) a dispensing device which dispenses a jet of water against the object to be cut;   (c) a pressurized water generating apparatus in fluid communication with said dispensing device to supply pressurized water to said dispensing device; and   (d) a supporting assembly for supporting said dispensing device above said supporting surface and for supporting said pressurised water generating apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said supporting assembly includes a crosspiece, said dispensing device being supported by a first wall of said crosspiece, and said pressurised water generating apparatus being supported by a second wall of said crosspiece element. 
     
     
         3 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said first wall is substantially parallel to and opposite said second wall. 
     
     
         4 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said first wall is transverse to and contiguous with said second wall. 
     
     
         5 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said pressurised water generating apparatus comprises at least one pressure intensifier. 
     
     
         6 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 5 , wherein said pressure intensifier comprises at least one of an electric pressure intensifier and a hydraulic pressure intensifier. 
     
     
         7 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 5 , wherein said pressurised water generating apparatus includes at least one attenuator for damping pressure oscillations of said pressurized water coming from said at least one pressure intensifier, said at least one attenuator being in fluid communication with, and interposed between, said at least one pressure intensifier and said dispensing device. 
     
     
         8 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 2 , wherein said support structure comprises a portal support structure and wherein said crosspiece slidingly supports said dispensing device. 
     
     
         9 . A water jet cutting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing device comprises at least one cutting head.