Water jet-compatible turning mechanism The Related Art

The invention relates to a water jet and turning mechanism ensuring occupational health and safety, operating under water together with the workpiece, and having impermeability characteristic.

The Prior Art

Abrasive water jet cutting is used as an effective method for processing all known materials, especially materials that are hard to process, in parallel with the developments in industrial materials. With its structural differences, water jet technology have found widespread areas of use in industries of developed countries due to its operational and economic benefits. However, abrasive water jet machines can only cut two-dimensional plates. In other words, since these are CNC machines, they can only be used in cutting and perforating operations.

In the literature research, different experimental studies are encountered in which processing is made by cutting and erosion by using turning experimental mechanism However, it was found out that the turning mechanisms used in all of the experimental studies are similar to each other in terms of mechanism, and the lathe chuck used in experimental mechanisms is used without protection against pressurized water and abrasive particles, and above water level. Use of the lathe chuck wihout protection makes the already difficult turning operation even more difficult. Since the abrasive water jet nozzle is above water level, the noise level is quite high and can reach up to 1 10 dB. In the cutting operations with the prior art two- dimensional abrasive water jets, the operation of cutting the workpiece is performed under water in order to have lower noise level and reduce splash. Irreversible hearing loss may occur as a result of being exposed to high levels of noise (above 80 dB(A)) for long time (for months and years). This hearing loss may be temporary, permanent or both. Temporary hearing loss, also called as hearing fatigue, is eliminated after getting away from the short term exposure of a loud environment (usually in a few hours). Permanent hearing loss may be caused by:

• Personal sensitivity,

· Level of noise (total energy of sound),

• Frequency distribution of nosie - sound,

• Total amount of daily exposure,

• Length of exposure to noise,

• Type of noise, such as continuous, intermittent, or pulsed etc.

Use of turning experimental mechanism is inevitable in abrasive water jet turning operation. In the literature research, different experimental studies are encountered in which processing is made by cutting and erosion by using turning experimental mechanism However, it was found out that the turning mechanisms used in all of the experimental studies are similar to each other in terms of mechanism, and the lathe chuck used in experimental mechanisms is used without protection against pressurized water and abrasive particles. Use of the lathe chuck wihout protection makes the already difficult turning operation even more difficult.

The patent document with application No. TR2009/09349 relates to a method of cutting a "fibercement" structure material used in construction sector and produced in the form of plates, via CNC water jet cutting machine by giving patterns and motifs.

Patent application No. TR2012/04785 relates to a water jet cutting head, and it is characterized with a sharp structure having spherical substances in which the parts are combined to each other in order to ensure cutting of steel and similar kind of materials without damage and form a high mixing flow rate in CNC controlled water jet and provide the function of opening and closing the water pressure via pneumatic control.

As a result, the prior art systems cause a water jet sound of around the level of 108 db, since they are operated above water in open atmosphere. This causes significant risks in terms of occupational health and safety. Purpose of the Invention

The purpose of the invention is to reduce the noise coming from the pump and water jet source and along the route of distribution of sound energy during water jet turning operation. In this way, it is aimed to reduce the impacts of these sounds on people who are exposed to noise.

The primary purpose of the invention is to ensure that the water jet turning mechanism and workpiece according to the invention can perform turning operation under water.

The primary purpose of the invention is to ensure 27% reduction in the level of noise that occurs during the operation by means of performing the water jet turning mechanism and workpiece turning operation under water.

A significant purpose of the invention is to conform to occupational health and safety standards, in which the acceptable noise level for 8 hours a day is below 85.4 dB. This level is quite important for occupational health and safety. A purpose of the invention is to change the rotation direction and speed easily.

Another purpose of the invention is to prevent corrosion that forms during water jet cutting operation. A purpose of the invention is to extend the service life of the water jet turning mechanism by providing insulation against abrasive particles.

Another purpose of the invention is to reduce the maintenance needs of the water jet turning mechanism by providing protection with sealing and gasket.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure usage of the water jet turning according to the invention with all water jet machines. With the water jet turning mechanism that works under water together with the workpiece that is used in machining (turning/milling) from materials that are hard to process:

- noise level below water becomes lower than 85 db, - great advantage is provided in terms of occupational safety,

- does not form waves/agitation in the water jet pool,

- operates under water since it is made of stainless materials, all the pars are resistant against corrosion and rusting since the parts are made of stainless steel and plastic and has long service life,

- abrasive sand does not go into the workpiece that is connected to the holder clip, and has a modular structure that can easily be attached and detached,

- ensures easy installation and removal in water jet machines and prevents loss of time as a result of being universal,

- allows rotation speed and direction adjustment via computer control,

- does not have any risk of electric shock, since it operates on 12v step motor,

- has high insulation characteristic against water and abrasives, since the belt pulley mechanism is formed of gasket-closed system and felt beds.

Figures for Better Understanding of the Invention Figure 1 is a detailed front view showing the water jet mechanism. Figure 2 is a detailed left side view showing the water jet mechanism. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the water jet mechanism. Figure 4 is a top view showing the water jet mechanism. Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view showing the water jet mechanism.

Description of Parts References

A. Water jet turning mechanism

10. Main body

20. Connection apparatus 30. Drive motor

40. Sealing components

50. Holder clip

60. Interconnection piece

61. Conical space

70. Roller bearing

80. Belt

90. Shaft

100. Large pulley

110. Small pulley

200. Motion transfer components

300. Fixing head

S-Water level Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention is a water jet mechanism (A) used in processing of materials that are hard to process and comprising a drive motor (30) and a fixing head (300) for fixing the workpiece. Said water jet turning mechanism (A) comprises a water jet turning mechanism (A) ensuring occupational health and safety by operating under water (S) together with the workpiece and by operating below the noise level of 85 decibels, and a main body (10) with impermeability characteristic for ensuring the desired impermeability under water level (S). It comprises sealing components (40) configured between said main body (10) and the intermediate shaft (90), and a holder clip (50) operating under water (S) and grasping and fixing the workpiece. On the other hand, it also comprises a connection apparatus (20) allowing said holder clip (50) to be embedded and fixed on the same y-axis with the intermediate shaft (90), and an interconnection piece (60) comprising a conical space (61 ) centered on the same y-axis with said holder clip (50) and connection apparatus (20). Moreover, it comprises connecting piece (60) and connection apparatus (20) operating under water (S), fixed to each other via interlocking or screwed/geared connection, and made of plastic and plastic-based materials. As can be seen from Figure 1 , the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention comprises a connection apparatus (20) allowing rotation of the workpiece around its own axis. A holder clip (50) is found in said connection apparatus (20), which grasps and fixes the workpiece. Said holder clip (50) is fixed to the connection apparatus (20) via an interconnection piece (60). A conical space (61 ) is found in said interconnection piece (60), where the holder clip (50) is fitted.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention comprises a shaft (90) allowing rotation of the workpiece around its own axis by driving the connection apparatus (20). It comprises roller bearings (70) which bear the shaft (90) and allow rotation of the shaft (90) without vibration. The drive motion is provided to said shaft (90) via the drive motor (30). A small pulley (1 10) is found before the drive motor (30), which transfers the motion of the drive motor (30) to the large pulley (100). And the large pulley (100) transfers the rotational motion coming from the small pulley (1 10) to the shaft (90).

As can be seen from Figure 3, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention comprises sealing components (40) that protect the water jet mechanism (A) by preventing water, dust etc. substances from entering into the main body (10).

As can be seen from Figure 4, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention comprises a main body (10) which protects the roller bearing (70), belt (80), shaft (90), large pulley (100), and small pulley (1 10) from water, dust etc. impacts. Said main body (10) is made of stainless material for protection against corrosion. Said main body (10) comprises a large pulley (100) driving the shaft (90), and a small pulley (1 10) driving the large pulley (100). The motion transfer between the large pulley (100) and the small pulley (1 10) is ensured by means of a belt (80). In the light of the above given information, the water jet turning mechanism (A) operates as follows.

As can be seen from Figure 6, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention is used in abrasive water jet processing machines. In the prior art machines, the operation nozzle operates out of the water pool. Therefore, the noise level reaches around 105 decibels during the prior art processing. In order to prevent this, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention works in water pool. In this way, the noise formed during operation is reduced below 85 decibels and also splash of water is prevented.

After said water jet turning mechanism (A) is fixed on the water jet machine, the workpiece is fixed by the holder clip (50). The small pulley (1 10) that is connected to the drive motor (30) transfers the motion of the drive motor (30) to the large pulley (100) by means of the belt (80). The large pulley (100) rotates the shaft (90) that is connected thereto, by means of the motion coming from the belt (80). The connection apparatus (20) rotates the workpiece around its own axis by means of the torque coming from the shaft (90). In order to reduce the noise formed during operation, the water jet turning mechanism (A) according to the invention operates in the water pool. The main body (10) protects the roller bearing (70), belt (80), shaft (90), large pulley (100), and small pulley (1 10) from water, dust etc. harmful substances. Meanwhile, the sealing components (40) ensure sealing and prevent water from entering into the main body (10).

Since the water jet turning mechanism (A) operates in the water pool, the main body (10), connection apparatus (20), and shaft (90) operating in water are made of stainless material. Preferably, the shaft (90) is made of stainless chrome material, the connection apparatus (20) is made of polymer plastic material, and the main body (10) is made of stainless steel.