Abrasive hoppers for liquid jet cutting systems, and associated systems and methods

A method of using an abrasive hopper of a high-pressure liquid jet cutting system, the method comprising:

• receiving, via a nozzle of an abrasive delivery device of the abrasive hopper, abrasive material and air from an abrasive material source, the abrasive material and air travelling in a first direction when exiting the nozzle;
• causing, via a platform of the abrasive delivery device, at least a portion of the abrasive material and air to travel in a second direction different than the first direction within the abrasive delivery device toward an upper portion of the abrasive delivery device;
• and
• allowing, via one or more ports in the upper portion of the abrasive delivery device, the portion of the abrasive material and air to exit the abrasive delivery device and travel in the first direction toward a reservoir of abrasive material contained within the abrasive hopper.

An abrasive delivery device for an abrasive hopper of a high-pressure liquid jet cutting system, the abrasive delivery device comprising:

• a body portion configured to be received at least partially within an abrasive hopper and including an outer wall that at least partially defines an interior volume and one or more pressure relief ports communicatively coupling the interior volume to an environment external to the body portion;
• an abrasive feed nozzle coupled to the body portion and positioned at least partially within the interior volume, the abrasive feed nozzle including an abrasive inlet configured to receive abrasive material from an abrasive feed supply and an abrasive outlet positioned within the interior volume of the body portion;
• a platform positioned at least partially within the interior volume of the body portion downstream from the abrasive outlet;
• and
• a filter positioned at least partially around the platform, the filter comprising a plurality of filter holes configured to direct abrasive material from the platform toward a lower portion of the abrasive hopper.

A cap for an abrasive hopper of a high-pressure liquid jet cutting system, the cap comprising:

• a body defining an interior area and an opening thereto, wherein the opening is configured to receive air and/or abrasive material traveling in a first direction away from a lower portion of the abrasive hopper and to direct the air and/or abrasive material into the interior area;
• a baffle structure positioned within the interior area and oriented to extend toward the opening, wherein the baffle structure is configured to redirect at least a portion of the air and/or abrasive material that enters the interior area in a second direction different than the first direction;
• an annular channel extending through the body, positioned radially outwardly from the baffle structure, and fluidly coupled to the interior area, wherein the annular channel is configured to receive at least a second portion of the air and/or abrasive material that enters the interior area;
• and
• an outlet fluidly coupling the annular channel to an environment external to the cap, wherein the outlet is configured to allow all or part of the second portion of the air and/or abrasive material to flow outwardly from within the annular channel toward the external environment.