U.S. patent application number 15/963695 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-25 for liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw cutting apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is WINEGARDNER MASONRY, INC.. Invention is credited to Peter A. Rodriguez, Gregory J. Walker.
Application Number | 20190118278 15/963695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52825070 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190118278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Gregory J. ; et
al. |
April 25, 2019 |
LIQUID RECLAMATION AND RECIRCULATION SYSTEM FOR A WET SAW CUTTING
APPARATUS
Abstract
A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw
cutting apparatus comprising: a wet saw having a blade onto which
liquid is dispensed by a liquid dispenser adjacent thereto; a first
tank for receiving the liquid that has been dispensed onto the
blade, the liquid received by the first tank defining a water level
of the first tank; a second tank for receiving the liquid at or
near the water level of the first tank; wherein the liquid
dispensed by the liquid dispenser is drawn from the second
tank.
Inventors: |
Walker; Gregory J.;
(Highland, CA) ; Rodriguez; Peter A.; (Yucaipa,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WINEGARDNER MASONRY, INC. |
Yucaipa |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52825070 |
Appl. No.: |
15/963695 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15277833 |
Sep 27, 2016 |
|
|
|
15963695 |
|
|
|
|
14866609 |
Sep 25, 2015 |
|
|
|
15277833 |
|
|
|
|
14056879 |
Oct 17, 2013 |
9168674 |
|
|
14866609 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B28D 7/02 20130101; B01D
21/0012 20130101; B01D 21/2405 20130101; B01D 21/003 20130101; B23D
59/02 20130101; B01D 21/0087 20130101; B01D 35/02 20130101; B01D
21/02 20130101; B24B 55/03 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23D 59/02 20060101
B23D059/02; B01D 21/24 20060101 B01D021/24; B01D 21/02 20060101
B01D021/02; B01D 21/00 20060101 B01D021/00; B28D 7/02 20060101
B28D007/02; B01D 35/02 20060101 B01D035/02 |
Claims
1. A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw
cutting apparatus comprising: a wet saw having a blade onto which
liquid is dispensed by a liquid dispenser adjacent thereto; a first
tank for receiving the liquid that has been dispensed onto the
blade, the liquid received by the first tank defining a water level
of the first tank; a second tank for receiving the liquid at or
near the water level of the first tank; wherein the liquid
dispensed by the liquid dispenser is drawn from the second
tank.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid dispenser comprises a
pump and tubing coupled to the second tank, the pump forcing the
liquid from the second tank onto the blade via the tubing.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tank and the second
tank comprise a common wall.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the common wall comprises a
spillage area for transferring the liquid at or near the water
level of the first tank to the second tank.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate tank
for receiving the liquid at or near the water level of the first
tank, the liquid received by the intermediate tank defining a water
level of the intermediate tank; and wherein the second tank
receives liquid at or near the water level of the intermediate
tank.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first tank and the
intermediary tank comprise a first common wall, and the
intermediary tank and the second tank comprise a second common
wall.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and the second common
walls each comprise a spillage area for transferring the liquid at
or near the water level of the first tank to the second tank.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/277,833, filed Sep. 27, 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/866,609, filed
Sep. 25, 2015, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/056,879, filed Oct. 17, 2013, now
U.S. Pat. No. 9,168,674, all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wet saws are commonly utilized for cutting hard materials,
such as concrete, stone, ceramics, tile, etc. In operation, water
is applied to the blade to keep the blade and materials cool, and
reduce dust and other particulates that may be expelled from the
cut during cutting. Because the liquid also lubricates the cut and
flushes particulates therefrom, a clean source of water, i.e. one
substantially free of particulates, is often essential to making a
quality cut without undue breakage. Accordingly, wet saws are often
attached to a fresh water source, for example, a faucet. The fresh
water source provides a continuous supply of clean water to the
saw. However, such wet saws are of limited mobility, as they are
required to be near a water source in order to properly
operate.
[0003] Recirculating wet saws are also known, which filter and
recirculate the water expelled during the cutting operation. These
wet saws have the advantage that they are not required to be near a
water source. One such recirculating wet saw is shown, for example,
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,477,844; 8,347,871; and 6,557,602, each
incorporated herein by reference. However, the water reclamation
systems utilized in such wet saws are overly complex, expensive,
and inefficient.
[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved liquid
reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw cutting
apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw
cutting apparatus is described herein that overcomes the
limitations noted above.
[0006] A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw
cutting apparatus comprises a wet saw having a blade onto which
liquid is dispensed by a liquid dispenser adjacent thereto; a first
tank for receiving the liquid that has been dispensed onto the
blade, the liquid received by the first tank defining a water level
of the first tank; a second tank for receiving the liquid at or
near the water level of the first tank; wherein the liquid
dispensed by the liquid dispenser is drawn from the second
tank.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus
and method of its use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0008] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one
of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such
drawing(s):
[0009] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a liquid reclamation and recirculation
system for a wet saw cutting apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described
invention in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment,
which is further defined in detail in the following description.
Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make
alterations and modifications to what is described herein without
departing from its spirit and scope. While this invention is
susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown
in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred
embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present
disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad
aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Therefore,
it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only
for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation
on the scope of the present apparatus and its method of use.
[0011] A liquid reclamation and recirculation system for a wet saw
cutting apparatus according to at least one preferred embodiment
will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0012] A wet saw 100 comprises a blade 120, rotatable about an axis
for cutting material 10 placed adjacent thereto, and a liquid
dispenser 140 for dispensing liquid (preferably water) onto the
surface of the blade as it rotates. The blade, which may or may not
have teeth, is generally circular and has an axis of rotation that
passes through the center of the blade and is orthogonal thereto.
The blade may be mounted on and driven by an axle that may be
connected to any suitable of motive force.
[0013] The wet saw may further comprise a positioning device 200
for positioning the blade relative to the material. In at least one
embodiment, the positioning device comprises an arm 220 consisting
of a proximal end 222 and a distal end 224. The distal end of the
arm may be rotationally coupled to the wet saw, preferably at the
axis, so as to effectuate rotation of the blade for cutting the
material. The proximal end of the arm may be coupled to a base 300
so as to permit the wet saw to be at least one of vertically and
horizontally positionable relative to the material. Preferably, the
arm is pivotally coupled to the base; however other connections are
expressly contemplated, such as, for example, coupled via linear
track.
[0014] The liquid dispenser may be positioned proximal the blade at
one end, and coupled to a tank assembly 400 at another end. The
liquid dispenser feeds liquid from the tank assembly to the blade's
surfaces between the center of the blade and the blade's edge. As
the blade rotates in use, the liquid being fed to the blade's
surface moves out the blade's edge under the centrifugal forces
generated by the rotating blade. The liquid dispenser may further
comprise a nozzle and/or nozzles located on either side of the
blade for dispensing liquid onto the surfaces of the blade;
however, any other suitable arrangement for dispensing liquid to
the blade may be employed.
[0015] The base may further comprise a cutting area 320 for
positioning material to be cut thereon, the cutting area positioned
above a catch 340 for receiving liquid and particulates (i.e.
slurry) expelled by the saw. The cutting area preferably comprises
a flat surface having an aperture for accepting the blade during
cutting, and may be removably and/or adjustably coupled to the
base. The cutting area may further comprise a guide for positioning
the material relative to the surface and/or the blade.
[0016] The catch preferably comprises a floor 342 having at least
one slurry intake 344 therein. The slurry expelled by the saw may
be received by the catch, held therein, and directed to the intake.
In at least one embodiment, the floor is angled towards the intake
and the slurry is directed thereto by the operation of gravity.
However, any other suitable arrangement for directing the slurry
into the intake may be employed.
[0017] The catch may further comprise at least one wall extending
vertically upward from the floor for containing the received slurry
within the catch. In at least one embodiment, the at least one wall
supports the cutting area thereon and maintains a space between the
catch floor and the cutting area.
[0018] In at least one embodiment, the slurry intake directs the
received slurry to the tank assembly for processing, i.e. the
substantial removal of particulates from the slurry so as to
provide clean water therefrom. Accordingly, the slurry intake
preferably comprises plumbing (i.e. pipes, drains, fittings,
valves, valve assemblies, pumps, etc.) sufficient to direct the
slurry to the tank assembly. In at least one embodiment, the slurry
intake consists of a single pipe assembly that directs the slurry,
via gravity, from the catch to the tank assembly.
[0019] The tank assembly 400 according to at least one preferred
embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0020] The tank assembly comprises a first tank 420 coupled to a
second tank 440.
[0021] The first tank may comprise a floor 422 and at least one
wall 424 extending vertically therefrom so as to form a vessel for
holding a specified volume of liquid and/or particulates defining a
water level 500 of the first tank. The intake may be positioned
adjacent the first tank such that the intake provides slurry from
the catch to the first tank. In at least one embodiment, the intake
is positioned adjacent the at least one wall distally from the
floor of the tank, however, any other suitable arrangement for
directing the slurry into the first tank may be employed.
[0022] As discussed above, the first tank may be operable to hold a
volume of liquid and/or particulates such that the volume defines a
water level of the first tank. Likewise, the second tank may also
be operable to hold a volume of liquid and/or particulates such
that the volume defines a water level of the second tank. The water
level of the first tank and the second tank may or may not be
equivalent.
[0023] In at least one preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the
first tank are such that the liquid and/or particulates held by the
first tank are permitted to separate. That is, the slurry is
preferably permitted to become essentially stagnant and thereby
separate into its liquid and particulate components, the
particulates settling to the floor of the first tank and leaving
substantially cleaner liquid at the water level. It is important to
note that the presently described embodiment does not require the
liquid and particulate components be one-hundred percent separated,
but only that the resulting liquid at the water level be
substantially cleaner (i.e. free of particulates) than the slurry
provided to the first tank. To this end, in at least one
embodiment, the intake is positioned such that the introduction of
slurry into the first tank minimizes stirring up and re-mixing the
slurry already present in the first tank.
[0024] The second tank may comprise a floor 442 and at least one
wall 444 extending vertically therefrom so as to form a vessel for
holding a specified volume of liquid and/or particulates defining
the water level 500 of the second tank.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in at least one embodiment, the at least
one wall of the second tank and the at least one wall of the first
tank comprise a common wall having a spillage area 480 located at
or near the water level of the first tank for permitting the
cleaner liquid at the water level to transfer to the second tank.
In this manner, the second tank is provided with the cleaner liquid
of the first tank. Additionally, as with the first tank, the
dimensions of the first tank may be such that the liquid and/or
particulates held by the second tank are permitted to further
separate. That is, the cleaner liquid is permitted to become
essentially stagnant and thereby further separate into its liquid
and particulate components, the particulates settling to the floor
of the second tank and leaving even cleaner liquid at the water
level of the second tank. To this end, in at least one embodiment,
the spillage area is positioned such that the introduction of
cleaner liquid into the second tank minimizes stirring up and
re-mixing the liquid and/or particulates already present in the
second tank.
[0026] It is important to note that the process described herein
may be performed with any number of second tanks in succession,
each iteration further separating the remaining particulates from
the transferred liquid such that the last second tank in the
sequence contains liquid at or near its water level that is
substantially free of particulates and is therefore suitable for
use with the wet saw, as described herein.
[0027] In at least one embodiment, the liquid dispenser may be
coupled to second tank at or near the water level of the second
tank, so as to retrieve the cleaner liquid from the second tank and
provide it to the blade as described herein. Accordingly, the
liquid dispenser may further comprise a pump 142 and tubing 144,
the pump forcing the cleaner liquid through the tubing so as to
feeds the liquid from the tank assembly to the blade.
[0028] It is important to note that while the embodiments described
herein are described with reference to first and second tanks, such
nomenclature is not intended to limit the invention to two tanks; a
plurality of successive tanks is expressly contemplated. Moreover,
the successive tanks may be arranged according to any geometry
consistent with the descriptions herein. Some exemplary geometries
include circular, linear and/or rectangular geometries of
successive tanks.
[0029] Moreover, while the present invention is described with
reference to spillage areas, any other suitable arrangement for
directing the liquid at or near the water level of the first tank
to the second tank may be employed. Additionally, other devices
known in the art to further the filtering of particulates from
liquid, e.g. screens, filters, troughs, etc., may be employed
concurrently with the present invention without departing from the
scope thereof.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary tank assembly 400 comprising
first tank 420, second tank 440 and third tank 460 successively
arranged according to at least one embodiment.
[0031] The at least one wall of the second tank and the at least
one wall of the first tank may comprise a common wall having the
spillage area located at or near the water level of the first tank
for permitting the cleaner liquid at the water level to transfer to
the second tank, according to the principles described herein.
Moreover, the at least one wall of the second tank and the at least
one wall of the third tank may comprise a common wall having the
spillage area located at or near the water level of the second tank
for permitting the cleaner liquid at the water level to transfer to
the third tank, according to the principles described herein. The
liquid dispenser may be coupled to third tank so as to retrieve the
cleaner liquid from the third tank and provide it to the blade
according to the principles described herein. Importantly, the pump
may be located at or near the water level of the third tank, but
alternatively, may be located anywhere it can retrieve cleaner
liquid for recirculation to the wet saw. Moreover, while the tanks
are described herein as comprising a common wall, walls that are
not common between tanks are also contemplated, and indeed may be
achieved without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0032] As shown for example in FIG. 3, the tank assembly may
comprise successive tanks in which each tank in the succession
provides the next tank in the succession with successively cleaner
liquid according to the principles described herein. FIG. 3
illustrates a box-helix geometry similar to that of a helical
staircase. However, successive tanks may be arranged according to
any geometry consistent with the principles described herein.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary spillage area according to
at least one embodiment.
[0034] The spillage area comprises a chute 482 for receiving liquid
from the first tank that is at or near the water level of the first
tank and transferring the liquid to the second tank via gravity.
The chute preferably comprises a straight entry transition type
chute having a first edge 484 integral with the at least one wall
and positioned at or near the water level of the first tank, as
second edge 486 opposite thereto positioned adjacent the second
tank, below the water level of the first tank, and opposing side
guards 488 positioned therebetween for preventing liquid from
exiting the chute at any place other than the second edge.
[0035] The spillage area may also comprise a jetty 490 for
regulating the liquid entering the spillage area, and comprising a
substantially flat, elongate member 492 positioned horizontally and
substantially parallel to the at least one wall, and extending at
least the length of the first edge. The elongate member may be
affixed to the at least one wall via one or more support members
494 extending perpendicular therebetween. The jetty may also extend
vertically below the water level.
[0036] The enablements described in detail above are considered
novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to
the operation of at least one aspect of the invention and to the
achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in
this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be
understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined
meanings, but to include by special definition in this
specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the
commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in
the context of this specification as including more than one
meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all
possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or
words describing the element.
[0037] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described
herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements described and its various embodiments or that a single
element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[0038] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope
intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is
specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually
equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[0039] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that the named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is
what is intended to be patented.
* * * * *