Jet Edge Awarded Patent for Water Jet Seal

Jet Edge, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the waterjet manufacturer a patent for a high pressure fluid sealing mechanism designed by Jet Edge R&D Engineer Michael Wheeler.

Jet Edge’s proprietary high pressure fluid sealing mechanism (U.S. Patent 8,333,387) improves waterjet seal life by providing robust Metal-on-Metal sealing without the use of conventional plastic seals.  This technology uses two convex curved surfaces in single line contact with one another to seal ultra-high pressure (UHP) fluid at static pressures up to 130,000 psi. To view the patent, visit http://1.usa.gov/VuWMjM.

“Jet Edge’s revolutionary Metal-on-Metal sealing technology marks a tremendous breakthrough in waterjet technology,” said Jet Edge President Jude Lague. “With it, we are able to offer one of the longest seal lives in the industry, which translates into higher productivity and lower maintenance costs for our customers.”

Jet Edge initially developed the Metal-on-Metal seal to meet the increased performance demands of its X-Stream (XP) pressure intensifier pumps, which produce dynamic cutting pressures of 75,000 psi.  The technology has proven so successful that the waterjet manufacturer has expanded its use into additional product lines, including its ECO-JET direct drive pumps and several of its 60,000 psi intensifier pumps.

With its Metal-on-Metal sealing technology, Jet Edge has been able to eliminate static seals in its XP intensifiers and ECO-JET direct drive pumps, Wheeler noted.

“This has effectively cut the number of seals that can fail or need to be changed in half,” Wheeler said.  “I've assembled and disassembled these seals countless times and most of the time a quick cleaning of the surfaces with a Scotch-Brite® pad and a fresh coat of Blue Lube is all the maintenance that's ever needed.  The Metal-on-Metal seals that are part of the cylinders in our R&D ECO-JET have at least 40 million pressure cycles on them.”

Wheeler noted that it took a tremendous team effort to develop the technology and achieve the patent.

“I want to thank Jude Lague for funding the research, development, and legal work that lead to this patent, [Jet Edge Engineering Manager] Dave Lafavor for encouraging the research, [former Jet Edge employee] Reynold Sacquitne for his help in testing and troubleshooting the technology, [Jet Edge machinist] Brian Wallace for his excellent job machining the prototypes that lead to this technology, and [attorney] Paul Grunzweig for helping us find our way through the legal process of writing and obtaining the patent,” he said.

A waterjet industry leader since 1984, Jet Edge owns a variety of patents related to ultra-high pressure waterjet technology.  Jet Edge manufactures complete waterjet systems, including precision CNC waterjet gantries, waterjet pumps, accessories and parts.  It offers the widest range of waterjet pumps in the industry.

About Jet Edge
Established in 1984, Jet Edge is a global designer and manufacturer of waterjet systems for precision cutting, surface preparation and coating removal. Jet Edge systems are used around the world in a broad range of industries, from the world's leading airlines to automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturers, machine and job shops. Jet Edge waterjet systems are proudly made in the U.S.A. For more information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, e-mail sales@jetedge.com or call +1-763-497-8700.  Follow us on Twitter @jetedge.

Army's 11th ACR Installs Jet Edge Waterjet

Jet Edge Inc. is honored to announce that the U.S. Army’s legendary 11th Armored Calvary Regiment (ACR) has installed a Jet Edge precision water jet cutting system at its home base in Fort Irwin, Calif.
 
Known for its tough and uncompromising standards, the 11th ACR, “the Blackhorse Regiment,” is widely respected as the best Opposing Force in the world.  The famous regiment, which was honored in Tom Clancy’s novel “Executive Orders,” is responsible for ensuring that the United States continues to have the best trained military in the world by serving as the opposing force in simulated conflicts at the Army’s National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin.

The 11th ACR’s new Jet Edge Mid Rail Gantry water jet system is operated by the Service & Recovery Section, a support section within the Regiment’s Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron (RSS).  The 20-soldier section is responsible for machining and welding fabricated parts as well as providing recovery support to the Regiment. In addition to its water jet, the 11th ACR’s shop has CNC milling capability, lathes and welding machines.

“We decided to purchase this equipment specifically to assist in expediting our work requests,” explained Chief Warrant Officer Two Alphonso L. Ash, Jr., who heads the section. “The decision to incorporate the water jet into our shop operations was based solely on our daily workload as the water jet has helped to expedite our work requests; the water jet also allows our section to fabricate parts that have a long shipping date and/or high cost which has increased our operational readiness.”

The water jet is being used primarily to cut metals ranging from aluminum to armored steel with a thickness from 1/8 inch to 3 inches, CW2(P) Ash noted. Previously the soldiers had been cutting these by hand with a plasma torch, oxy-acetylene torches and shear. 

“The water jet is unique because parts can be created using the computer-based software (SigmaNEST®) and cut out after the part has been built,” CW2(P) Ash continued.  “Also, the part can be handled immediately following the cut without having concern for heat as in the OXY/Acetylene or plasma torch.”

Within the first month of installation, the section had already built numerous parts with its Jet Edge including battery shims, transmission shifting linkages, electrical covers, ornamental fixtures, and spanner wrenches, he noted.

“I have found that this system has been an excellent and valuable asset to our shop as I have recommended this piece of equipment to many of my peers as part of their shop setup,” CW2(P) Ash commented.

Jet Edge President Jude Lague expressed Jet Edge’s great pride in being selected as the 11th ACR’s water jet systems manufacturer.

“We are truly honored that the 11th ACR chose a Jet Edge water jet system,” Lague said.  “It is humbling to have our equipment selected by the U.S. Army’s premier regiment.  If you look into their history, it’s absolutely amazing because they were involved in so many of the world’s historic events during the past 100+ years.  We are so proud to be part of their future.”

About the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment
Since 1901, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment has proudly served the Nation in times of peace and conflict. The 11th ACR’s unique mission is vital to the readiness of the U.S. Army.

Our Mission:

• -Our number one priority is to ensure we continue to have the best trained military in the world.
• We are the best Opposing Force in the world. Training against an uncooperative opponent is critical for today’s military.
• 11th ACR trains the force of the future; the 11th ACR must continually develop a variety of capabilities focused on the Soldier and small unit capabilities with the intent of making the U.S. Army's formations more flexible, adaptable and lethal.
• 11th ACR trains deploying forces to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertain conflicts.
• It’s imperative that we remain focused on tough, demanding training here to ensure that our Soldiers and units sustain their combat edge.
• Our enemies constantly adapt to our tactics and equipment, so we must continually modernize and refine the way we fight to keep our combat edge.
• American families can count on the NTC to provide the very best training possible to ensure Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) are trained and capable to meet the needs of our nation.
• Fort Irwin provides Warriors a place to hone their skills and war fighting.
• The NTC will continue to lead our training to meet 21st Century challenges.
• The NTC is at the centerpiece of our Army’s transition; setting the conditions for future success for our nation’s force of decisive action.
• The NTC replicates the tough, realistic operational environment that America’s war fighters face; our training is relevant and quickly adaptable to emerging threats.

About Jet Edge
Established in 1984, Jet Edge is a global designer and manufacturer of waterjet systems for precision cutting, surface preparation and coating removal. Jet Edge systems are used around the world in a broad range of industries, from the world's leading airlines to automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturers, machine and job shops. Jet Edge waterjet systems are proudly made in the U.S.A. For more information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, e-mail sales@jetedge.com or call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343).

More Information
For more information about the 11th ACR, visit its web page on http://www.irwin.army.mil.
For more information about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, or call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343).