Ultrasonic drilling apparatus
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsEdward L. Duran, Ralph L. Lundin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus attachable to an ultrasonic drilling machine for drilling deep holes in very hard materials, such as boron carbide, is provided. The apparatus utilizes a hollow spindle attached to the output horn of the ultrasonic drilling machine. The spindle has a hollow drill bit attached at the opposite end. A housing surrounds the spindle, forming a cavity for holding slurry. In operation, slurry is provided into the housing, and into the spindle through inlets while the spindle is rotating and ultrasonically reciprocating. Slurry flows through the spindle and through the hollow drill bit to cleanse the cutting edge of the bit during a drilling operation.
Claims8
An ultrasonic drilling apparatus for use with an ultrasonic drilling machine having an ultrasonic output horn, said apparatus comprising:
- a spindle attachable to said ultrasonic output horn effective to transmit ultrasonic motion from said output horn and defining a first cavity for receiving, containing and passing a slurry therethrough;
- housing means surrounding said spindle and attachable to said ultrasonic drilling machine for sealingly supporting said spindle and receiving said slurry, said housing means and said spindle forming a second cavity for said slurry surrounding said spindle;
- means connecting said first and second cavities for passing said slurry;
- and
- means for operably attaching a hollow drill bit to said spindle, said hollow drill bit communicating with said first cavity in said spindle for passing said slurry to a cutting edge of said drill bit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.