Customized and varying cross-section electrodes
AssigneePerfect Point EDM Corporation
InventorsMervyn Rudgley, James T. Legge
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Erosion electrodes and associated devices, systems, and methods for providing improved performance during a process driven by FEED and facilitated by fluid flushing of a worksite is disclosed. Use of erosion electrodes having varying cross-sectional geometries result in customizable channels, within which the FEED process may proceed, improving efficiency and efficacy of the process as the erosion electrode is advanced longitudinally into a work-piece.
Claims25
A forceless electrical erosion and disintegration “FEED” method of producing an overcut gap, the method comprising:
- bringing a tubular shaped erosion electrode (100) with an axial length including a distal segment (150) and a proximal segment (160), wherein at least a portion of the distal segment has a cross-sectional geometry that is a greater radius from a cross-sectional geometry of at least a portion of the proximal segment into contact with a workpiece (10);
- bring a ground electrode in contact with the work piece (238) applying high frequency high voltage pulses to an erosion electrode in the presence of dielectric fluid (DF);
- and, producing an overcut gap(DG) in said workpiece as said erosion electrode erodes said workpiece corresponding to said greater radius proximal segment.
An erosion electrode, comprising:
- an axial length including a distal segment and a proximal segment, wherein at least a portion of the distal segment has a cross-sectional geometry that is distinct from a cross-sectional geometry of at least a portion of the proximal segment.
A FEED device, comprising:
- an erosion electrode having an axial length including a distal segment and a proximal segment, wherein at least a portion of the distal segment has a cross-sectional geometry that is distinct from a cross-sectional geometry of at least a portion of the proximal segment, the erosion electrode being moveable along an axis;
- an inlet configured to deliver a dielectric fluid between the erosion electrode and the workpiece;
- and, a dielectric outlet configured to evacuate the dielectric fluid.
A method of performing a FEED procedure, comprising:
- providing to a workpiece an erosion electrode of varying cross-sectional geometry;
- flowing a dielectric fluid between the erosion electrode and the workpiece;
- providing an electrical potential between the erosion electrode and the workpiece;
- and, advancing the erosion electrode into the workpiece, whereby a channel of varying cross-sectional geometry is formed in the workpiece.
A method of reducing lodging of conductive debris from an eroded space, the method comprising:
- providing to a workpiece an erosion electrode (100) of varying cross-sectional geometry;
- providing a grounding electrode (238) flowing a dielectric fluid (DF) between the erosion electrode and the workpiece (10);
- providing an electrical potential between the erosion electrode and the workpiece;
- and,
- advancing the erosion electrode into the workpiece, whereby a eroded space (50) with an overcut gap (DG) is formed whereby debris (15) are evacuated out of said eroded space (50) with greater frequency then debris which become lodged in a eroded space absent an overcut gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.