High pressure liquid-jet seal assembly carriage

A method of creating a seal assembly for use in a liquid jet cutting system, the method comprising:

• releasably mounting an O-ring about a disposable seal carriage, the disposable seal carriage having a first end portion, a longitudinal axis, and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion along the longitudinal axis;
• releasably mounting a seal about the disposable seal carriage;
• positioning the O-ring substantially about a portion of the seal;
• releasably mounting a hoop ring about the disposable seal carriage such that the seal is positioned between the first end portion and the hoop ring;
• and
• releasably mounting a backup ring substantially about the second end portion of the disposable seal carriage on a side of the hoop ring opposite the first end portion such that the hoop ring is positioned between the first end portion and the backup ring and at least a portion of the backup ring extends away from the disposable seal carriage in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

A seal assembly for use with a liquid jet cutting system, the seal assembly comprising:

• a disposable seal carriage having a first end portion, a longitudinal axis, and a second end portion, the second end portion defining an end surface of the disposable seal carriage spaced from the first end portion along the longitudinal axis;
• a backup ring connected to the second end portion, wherein at least a portion of the backup ring extends away from the disposable seal carriage and is spaced apart from the end surface in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• a hoop ring positioned between the first end portion and the backup ring;
• a seal connected to the disposable seal carriage between the first end portion and the hoop ring;
• and
• an O-ring connected to a portion of the seal.