# US 2024/0201260 A1 · Electrical Arc Testing Device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0201260 A1 - Document ID: US20240201260A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/081,827 - Filed: 2022-12-15 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-15 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Dionel Cadiz; Jason Damazo; Kevin Alexander Paroulek; Carl Roy McIver; Dominic Martinez; James Paananen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201260A1 ## CPC - G01R 31/3277: {of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches} - H02K 33/00: Motors with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating magnet, armature or coil system (arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with motors H02K7/00, e.g. H02K7/06) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) ## Abstract A testing device to perform electrical arc testing on a workpiece. The testing device includes an electrode and an actuator mounted to the electrode. The actuator is configured to control a separation distance between the electrode and the workpiece. The actuator is further configured to oscillate the electrode and vary the separation distance to create a low voltage electrical arc when electrical energy is supplied to the electrode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A testing device to perform electrical arc testing on a workpiece, the testing device comprising: an electrode; an actuator mounted to the electrode, the actuator configured to control a separation distance d between the electrode and the workpiece; and wherein the actuator is configured to oscillate the electrode and vary the separation distance d to create a low voltage electrical arc when electrical energy is supplied to the electrode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to vary the separation distance d within a range of between 1 μm and 5 μmm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, further comprising a power source to supply the electrical energy to the electrode, the power source configured to provide current in a range of between 10-1000 A at a voltage in a range of between 5-1000V. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to oscillate the electrode at a frequency in a range of between 1-2000 Hz. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises: a pivot arm connected to the electrode; a linkage connected to the pivot arm with the linkage spaced away from the electrode; and wherein the linkage is configured to pivot the pivot arm to oscillate the electrode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The testing device of claim 5, further comprising a motor connected to the linkage to drive the linkage and thereby pivot the pivot arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The testing device of claim 5, wherein the linkage and the pivot arm form a four bar linkage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, further comprising a base that supports the actuator, the electrode, and the workpiece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, wherein the electrode is constructed from a material with a high melting temperature selected from the group consisting of tungsten and carbon steel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, wherein the electrode is constructed from a material with a low melting temperature selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, and aluminum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The testing device of claim 1, further comprising: sensors configured to detect one or more aspects the workpiece during the electrical arc testing; and a control unit that receives signals from the sensors and determines one or more effects on the workpiece due to the electrical arc testing. ### Claim 12 A testing device to perform electrical arc testing on a workpiece, the testing device comprising: an electrode; a power source that supplies electrical power to the electrode; an actuator that positions the electrode relative to the workpiece, the actuator configured to move the electrode through a motion range that varies a separation distance between the electrode and the workpiece; and the power source configured to sustain the electrical power to the electrode to maintain an electrical arc between the electrode and the workpiece during the motion range. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The testing device of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises: a linkage operatively connected to the electrode; a motor that drives the linkage; and wherein the actuator is configured to vary the separation distance d within a range of between 1 μm and 5 μmm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The testing device of claim 13, further comprising a control unit comprising processing circuitry configured to control the motor and a position of the electrode relative to the workpiece. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The testing device of claim 12, wherein the electrical energy supplied by the power source is low voltage power with current in a range of between 10-1000 A and a voltage in a range of between 5-1000V. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The testing device of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a four bar linkage comprising four links that are pivotally connected together and configured to move the electrode through the motion range. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The testing device of claim 16, wherein the four bar linkage comprises: a pivot arm mounted to the electrode; and a linkage comprising a first link and a second link that are pivotally connected together. ### Claim 18 A method of performing electrical arc testing on a workpiece, the method comprising: attaching an electrode to an actuator; providing electrical power to the electrode and moving the electrode through a motion range; modulating a separation distance d formed between the electrode and the workpiece; and sustaining a low voltage arc between the electrode and the workpiece while moving the electrode through the motion range. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling the separation distance d between the electrode and the workpiece during the motion range and preventing the separation distance d from exceeding a predetermined amount. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising electrically insulating the electrode from the actuator.