US 12,194,558 B2 · Electrical discharge machining method for generating variable spray-hole geometry

Abstract

A method is provided comprising identifying an alignment point of a workpiece; positioning a first end of an electrode in the direction of the alignment point of the workpiece; applying a first voltage to the electrode wherein the applied first voltage generates a spark; rotating the electrode in a first direction; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a first distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the first voltage creates a first orifice section; applying a second voltage to the electrode and modifying one or more operational parameters of the electrode; advancing the electrode toward the alignment point by a second distance wherein advancing the electrode and applying the second voltage causes formation of at least a second orifice section; wherein the first and second orifice sections cooperate to form an orifice comprising a first flow area and a second flow area.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating an electrical discharge machining (EDM) system including an electrode electronically controllable to form an orifice in a workpiece, the method comprising:

positioning a first end of an electrode in a direction of an alignment point located along a longitudinal axis intersecting the workpiece;
creating a first orifice section in the workpiece including applying a voltage to the electrode effective to generate a spark, rotating the electrode at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and moving the electrode relative to the alignment point by a first distance;
and
after creating the first orifice section, creating a second orifice section in the workpiece including adjusting the voltage applied to the electrode, adjusting the angle of rotation of the electrode relative to the longitudinal axis, and moving the electrode relative to the alignment point by a second distance;
wherein a first flow area of the first orifice section is greater than a second flow area of the first orifice section.

2 more elements

A system for electrical discharge machining (EDM) a workpiece, the system comprising:

an electrode operatively coupled with and moveable by a guide assembly;
and
an electronic controller operatively coupled with the electrode and the guide assembly, the electronic controller being configured to:
position a first end of an electrode in a direction of an alignment point located along a longitudinal axis intersecting the workpiece;
apply a voltage to the electrode effective to generate a spark, rotate the electrode at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and move the electrode relative to the alignment point by a first distance effective to create a first orifice section in the workpiece;
and
adjust the voltage applied to the electrode, adjust the angle of rotation of the electrode relative to the longitudinal axis, and move the electrode relative to the alignment point by a second distance effective to create a second orifice section in the workpiece;
wherein a first flow area of the first orifice section is greater than a second flow area of the first orifice section.

5 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a nontransitory memory medium configured to store instructions for operating an electrical discharge machining (EDM) system including an electrode operatively coupled with and positionable by a guide assembly, the instructions being executable by a controller to control the electrode and the guide assembly to:
position a first end of an electrode in a direction of an alignment point located along a longitudinal axis intersecting the workpiece;
apply a voltage to the electrode effective to generate a spark, rotate the electrode at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and move the electrode relative to the alignment point by a first distance effective to create a first orifice section in the workpiece;
and
modify the voltage applied to the electrode, modify the angle of rotation of the electrode relative to the longitudinal axis, and move the electrode relative to the alignment point by a second distance effective to create a second orifice section in the workpiece;
wherein a first flow area of the first orifice section is greater than a second flow area of the first orifice section.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrical discharge machining method for generating variable spray-hole geometry

Life of this patent

Electrical discharge machining method for generating variable spray-hole geometry

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20