Machining systems utilizing supercritical fluids

Abstract

Improvements in machining systems that utilize machining fluids comprising a supercritical fluid are described. Some systems may provide centralized distribution of a supercritical machining fluid and/or a lubricant to a plurality of machining tools in a machining facility. Other systems may allow for selective delivery of multiple machining fluids to a machine tool. For example, a supercritical machining fluid and a non-supercritical machining fluid may be selectively delivered to a machining tool as desired for a particular machining process.

1 . A machining system configured to be lubricated by a supercritical machining fluid, the machining system comprising:
 a first inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a supply of the supercritical machining fluid; and   a rotary union fluidly coupled to the first inlet, and wherein the rotary union is configured to receive and be lubricated by the supercritical machining fluid, and wherein the rotary union is configured to be coupled to a machining tool.   
     
     
         2 . The machining system of  claim 1 , further comprising the supply of the supercritical machining fluid, wherein the supply of the supercritical machining fluid is configured to deliver the supercritical machining fluid to the first inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The machining system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second machining fluid supply configured to deliver a second machining fluid to the rotary union. 
     
     
         4 . The machining system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a valve, wherein the valve is configured to deliver the supercritical machining fluid to the rotary union in a first configuration, and wherein the valve is configured to deliver the second machining fluid to the rotary union in a second configuration.   
     
     
         5 . The machining system of  claim 1 , further comprising the machining tool, wherein the machining tool is coupled to the rotary union. 
     
     
         6 . The machining system of  claim 5 , wherein the machining tool comprises a cutting tool. 
     
     
         7 . The machining system of  claim 5 , wherein the machining tool comprises a drill. 
     
     
         8 . The machining system of  claim 7 , wherein the drill is a robotic drill. 
     
     
         9 . The machining system of  claim 5 , wherein the machining tool comprises a spindle coupled to the rotary union. 
     
     
         10 . The machining system of  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor configured to sense a pressure behind the spindle. 
     
     
         11 . The machining system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to operate at a pressure of between 100 and 400 bar. 
     
     
         12 . The machining system of  claim 1 , wherein the supercritical machining fluid comprises supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         13 . The machining system of  claim 4 , wherein the valve is a first valve, and further comprising a second valve positioned between the first machining fluid supply and the first valve, wherein the second valve is movable to a purging position configured to release pressure between the machining tool and the second valve. 
     
     
         14 . The machining system of  claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle or orifice configured to deliver the supercritical fluid to a cutting interface. 
     
     
         15 . A method of machining using a supercritical machining fluid, the method comprising:
 lubricating a rotary union by delivering the supercritical machining fluid to the rotary union.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , the method comprising:
 lubricating a machining tool coupled to the rotary union by delivering the supercritical machining fluid to the machining tool by passing the supercritical fluid to the machining tool from the rotary union.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supercritical machining fluid is a first machining fluid, and wherein the method further comprises delivering a second machining fluid to the machining tool by passing the second machining fluid through the rotary union. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , flowing the first machining fluid to the rotary union in a first operating mode and flowing the second machining fluid to the rotary union in a second operating mode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method of machining is a method of drilling. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising sensing a pressure behind a spindle of the machining tool. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supercritical machining fluid comprises supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supercritical machining fluid has a pressure of between 100 and 400 bar. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising delivering the supercritical fluid to a cutting interface.