Containment of pressurized fluid jets

Apparatus for containing a pressurized fluid jet, comprising a receptacle of generally conical form, having walls defining an included angle of less then 25.degree., a body of liquid disposed in the receptacle, non-return valve means for introducing the jet disposed at the small end of the receptacle, and means for directing the fluid jet through the valve means, having a discharge outlet, of smaller dimension than the valve means, spaced from the valve means, vortices generated in the body of liquid absorbing energy from and containing the fluid jet.

Apparatus for containing a pressurized fluid jet, comprising a tank, a receptacle of generally conical form, having walls defining an included angle of less than 25.degree., disposed within the tank so as to define an annular space therewith, non-return valve means for introducing the jet disposed at the small end of the receptacle, a first body of liquid disposed in the receptacle, means for directing the fluid jet through the valve means, having a discharge outlet, of smaller dimension than the valve means, spaced from the valve means, a second body of liquid disposed in said annular space, cap means for covering the tank, means for collecting any gaseous fluid disposed beneath said cap means, and tank outlet means for separating out fractions of said second body of liquid, vortices generated in the first body of liquid absorbing energy of and containing the fluid jet.

A method for containing a fluid jet, comprising the steps of:

• sealingly disposing a body of liquid in the path of said jet, the liquid being held in a receptacle having walls defining an included angle of less than 25.degree., directing the jet into the smaller end of the body of liquid, while preventing flow of ambient fluid into the body of liquid with the jet, and absorbing sufficient energy of the jet by generating vortices in said body of liquid to contain the jet.