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US 2025/0058418 A1Published application
Systems and methods for controlled machining fluid distribution
AssigneeFusion Coolant Systems, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Skerlos, Scott Jones, Virgil Patton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Machining systems, fluid distribution systems, and methods are provided by the present disclosure. Certain aspects relate to fluid distribution using manifolds comprising one or more nozzles for fluid distribution. Some such manifolds may moved between an extended and retracted configuration to place a machining tool of a machining system in an interior opening of the manifold for delivery of a machining fluid to the machining tool and/or an associated machining interface from the manifold. Some aspects relate to adaptive control of fluid distribution systems and machining systems in order to improve machining.
Claims37
A fluid distribution system comprising:
- a manifold partially surrounding an interior opening of the manifold, wherein the interior opening extends from a first surface of the manifold to a second opposing surface of the manifold, wherein the interior opening is configured to accept a machining tool positioned therein, and wherein the manifold includes a gap through which the machining tool may laterally pass into the interior opening of the manifold in a direction that is at least partially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the interior opening;
- one or more actuators configured to move the manifold between a first retracted configuration and a second extended configuration;
- one or more nozzles disposed on the manifold;
- a machining fluid inlet of the manifold in fluid communication with the one or more nozzles;
- and
- a vertical motion stage configured to change a vertical position of the manifold.
3 more elements
A fluid distribution system comprising:
- a manifold partially surrounding an interior opening of the manifold, wherein the interior opening extends from a first surface of the manifold to a second opposing surface of the manifold, wherein the interior opening is configured to accept a machining tool positioned therein;
- one or more nozzles disposed on the manifold;
- and
- a machining fluid inlet of the manifold in fluid communication with the one or more nozzles,
- wherein the one or more nozzles comprise a plurality of nozzles that includes a first group of nozzles directed towards a first focal location and a second group of nozzles directed towards a second focal location different from the first focal location.
2 more elements
A method of machining, the method comprising:
- moving a manifold including one or more nozzles disposed thereon from a first retracted configuration spaced apart from a first machining tool towards a second extended configuration, wherein moving the manifold from the first retracted configuration towards the second extended configuration includes a lateral movement of the manifold relative to a longitudinal axis of the first machining tool;
- passing the first machining tool through a gap formed in the manifold into an interior opening of the manifold as the manifold is moved from the first retracted configuration towards the second extended configuration such that the first machining tool extends through the interior opening of the manifold when the manifold is in the second extended configuration;
- and
- moving the manifold in a direction that is at least partially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the machining tool when the manifold is in the extended configuration.
1 more element
A method of machining, the method comprising:
- moving a manifold including one or more nozzles disposed thereon from a first retracted configuration spaced apart from a first machining tool towards a second extended configuration;
- passing the first machining tool through a gap formed in the manifold into an interior opening of the manifold as the manifold is moved from the first retracted configuration towards the second extended configuration such that the first machining tool extends through the interior opening of the manifold when the manifold is in the second extended configuration;
- and
- directing supercritical fluid to a machining interface via one or more nozzles of the manifold, wherein the one or more nozzles comprise a plurality of nozzles that includes a first group of nozzles directed towards a first focal location and a second group of nozzles directed towards a second focal location different from the first focal location.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- obtaining a location of a machining interface;
- and
- based at least in part on the machining interface location, changing a trajectory of one or more flows of supercritical machining fluid directed from a manifold towards the machining interface location.
31-40. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method, comprising:
- directing one or more flows of supercritical machining fluid from a manifold towards a machining interface;
- obtaining a property of the machining interface;
- and
- controlling a flow parameter of the one or more flows of supercritical machining fluid based at least in part on the machining interface property.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- directing one or more flows of supercritical machining fluid from a manifold towards a machining interface;
- obtaining a property of the machining interface;
- and
- controlling machining of the machining interface based at least in part on the machining interface property.
1 more element
45-52. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.