Devices and methods for dissecting fastener head and sleeve buffer
AssigneePerfect Point EDM Corporation
InventorMervyn Rudgley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and method for removal of fasteners by force-less electrical erosion and disintegration (“FEED”) such that portions of the fastener, such as a flange, may be separated from other portions of the fastener, such as a shank and sleeve, further facilitate removal of the same. The device and method may be applied to fasteners having a rotationally loose fit within the sleeve.
Claims24
A method, comprising:
- providing an erosion electrode to a fastener in at least one frame, the fastener having a sleeve surrounding at least a portion thereof, and the fastener having a head and a shank and,
- creating an eroded space without contacting the electrode to the fastener or the sleeve, the eroded. space having an outer diameter exceeding the outer diameter of the shank and less than the outer diameter of the sleeve, the eroded space having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the shank, and the eroded space extending through the head. of the fastener, at least a portion of the shank, and at least a portion of the sleeve.
The method of claim a, wherein creating an eroded space comprises:
- providing a voltage difference between the erosion electrode and at least one of the fastener and the frame coating.
The method of claim r wherein the fastener has a rotationally loose fit within the sleeve.
A Forceless Electrical Erosion and Disintegration (FEED) device, comprising:
- an erosion electrode having an outer diameter exceeding the outer diameter of a shank of a fastener and less than the outer diameter of a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the fastener;
- the erosion electrode further having an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the shank;
- and,
- wherein the erosion electrode is configured to be advanced longitudinally through a head of the fastener, at least a portion of the shank, and at least a portion of the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.