Plasma electrolytic polished diesel engine components
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsManoj M. Thete, Romaine O. Edwards
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system is provided for reducing surface roughness of a diesel engine component. The method and system may apply a voltage to a plasma electrolyte polishing cell. The plasma electrolyte polishing cell may include a diesel engine component and an aqueous electrolyte solution. The method and system may cause a plasma layer to form around a surface of the diesel engine component as a result of applying the voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell. The method and system may terminate the voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell. The method and system may apply a coating process to the diesel engine component.
Claims22
A method for reducing surface roughness of a diesel engine component, comprising:
- applying a voltage to a plasma electrolyte polishing cell provided in a plasma electrolyte polishing system, wherein the plasma electrolyte polishing cell includes the diesel engine component and an aqueous electrolytic solution;
- monitoring a concentration of electrolytes within the aqueous electrolytic solution and a temperature of the aqueous electrolytic solution to transfer the aqueous electrolyte solution from the plasma electrolyte polishing cell through the plasma electrolyte polishing system;
- controlling transfer of the aqueous electrolytic solution from the plasma electrolyte polishing cell through the plasma electrolyte polishing system in response to the concentration of electrolytes within the aqueous electrolytic solution and the temperature of the aqueous electrolytic solution;
- causing a plasma layer to form around a surface of the diesel engine component as a result of applying the voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell;
- terminating the voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell;
- and
- after causing the plasma layer to form around the surface of the diesel engine component, applying a coating process to the diesel engine component.
A system for reducing surface roughness of a diesel engine component, comprising:
- a plasma electrolyte polishing system comprising:
- a plasma electrolyte polishing cell;
- the diesel engine component, wherein the diesel engine component is submersed within the plasma electrolyte polishing cell, and wherein the plasma electrolyte polishing cell comprises an aqueous electrolytic solution;
- a controller operatively coupled to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell, wherein the controller is configured to:
- monitor a concentration of electrolytes within the aqueous electrolytic solution and a temperature of the aqueous electrolytic solution to transfer the aqueous electrolytic solution from the plasma electrolyte polishing cell through the plasma electrolyte polishing system;
- control transfer of the aqueous electrolytic solution from the plasma electrolyte polishing cell through the plasma electrolyte polishing system in response to a concentration of electrolytes of the aqueous electrolytic solution and a temperature of the aqueous electrolytic solution;
- apply a voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell, thereby causing a plasma layer to form around a surface of the diesel engine component;
- and
- terminate the voltage to the plasma electrolyte polishing cell;
- and
- a coating system configured to apply a coating process to the diesel engine component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.