Online monitoring of abrasive amount in high-pressure vessel of ASJ cutting system using ultrasonic detection

摘要

Monitoring the abrasive amount is essential to the automatic control of the ASJ cutting system. In order to solve the problem of online monitoring the abrasive amount in high-pressure vessel of an abrasive suspension jet (ASJ) cutting system, this paper presents a novel method; applying ultrasonic sensor was used to detect the interface between water and abrasive in the vessel so as to calculate the abrasive amount. In consideration that the vessel is closed with high pressure, the ultrasonic sensor was set on the side of the vessel with a reflecting plate to change the direction of wave. Experiments were carried out for simulating recharging and discharging process. Measurement errors are mainly caused by the instability of the abrasive-water interface. Experimental results showed that the measurement errors increase with the flow rate. It is indicated that the measuring accuracy in discharging process is better than that in recharging process. It is feasible to apply the ultrasonic technique for online monitoring the abrasive amount in high-pressure vessel of ASJ cutting system. The study results will provide technical support for the automatic control of the ASJ cutting system.