Fluid distribution components of high-pressure fluid jet systems

A fluid distribution component of a high-pressure system, the fluid distribution component comprising:

• a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising:
• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• and
• an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the fluid distribution component, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and
• wherein the fluid distribution component is subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to an operation pressure of at least 20,000 psi.

A high-pressure fluid jet system comprising:

• a pump to selectively provide a source of high-pressure fluid at an operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi;
• and
• a fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump and an end effector assembly to route the high-pressure fluid from the pump to the end effector assembly, and
• wherein at least one of the pump and the fluid distribution system comprises:
• a fluid distribution component having a unitary body of material formed from an additive manufacturing or casting process, the unitary body comprising an inlet, an outlet and an internal passage between the inlet and the outlet to assist in routing matter through the high-pressure fluid jet system, the internal passage having a centerline that defines a path that is at least partially curvilinear and including at least a portion having a cross-sectional profile that varies over a corresponding length of the path, and the fluid distribution component being subjected to cyclic or periodic loading during operation of the system arising from recurrent high-pressure conditions corresponding to the operating pressure of at least 20,000 psi.