US 4,851,090 A · Method and apparatus for electrochemically machining airfoil blades

Abstract

In accordance with a preferred, exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of forming a blisk from a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece includes a blank having oppositely facing first and second faces defined by a radially inner housing, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge. The method comprises the steps of: positioning first and second electrodes adjacent to the first and second faces, respectively, of the blank; supplying a positive voltage to the blank and a negative voltage to the first and second electrodes; channeling an electrolyte between the blank and the first and second electrodes for electrochemically machining the blank; moving the first and second electrodes toward the first and second faces of the blank; and moving the workpiece toward the first and second electrodes. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed for practicing the method. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an electrode pair is disclosed for electrochemically machining an airfoil.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method of forming a blisk from a workpiece having a plurality of circumferentially spaced workpiece blanks, each having oppositely facing first and second side faces defined by a radially inner base, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge, said method comprising:

positioning first and second electrodes adjacent to said first and second faces, respectively, of a first one of said blanks;
supplying a positive voltage to said first blank and a negative voltage to said first and second electrodes;
channeling an electrolyte between said first blank and said first and second electrodes for electrochemically machining said first blank;
moving said first and second electrodes toward said first and second faces of said first blank;
and
moving said first blank toward said first and second electrodes during said electrochemical machining of said first blank.

3 more elements

An apparatus for electrochemically forming a blisk from a workpiece having a plurality of circumferentially spaced workpiece blanks, each having oppositely facing first and second faces defined by a radially inner base, a radially outer top, a first edge, and a second edge, said apparatus comprising:

a housing;
a pair of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode;
means for mounting said electrode pair to said housing;
means for mounting said workpiece to said housing;
means for channeling electrolyte to said electrode pair;
means for powering said electrode pair with a negative voltage and said workpiece with a positive voltage;
said electrode pair mounting means comprising:
a first turntable attached to said housing and rotatable about a first axis;
a first translation means attached to said first turntable for mounting said first electrode;
a second translation means attached to said first turntable for mounting said second electrode;
and
said electrode mounting means being effective for translating said first and second electrodes toward each other and for rotating both said first and second electrode about said first axis;
said workpiece mounting means comprising:
a third translation means attached to said housing;
a second turntable attached to said third translation means and rotatable about a second axis;
and
said workpiece mounting means being effective for translating said workpiece toward said first and second electrodes and rotating said workpiece about said second axis;
and
means for controlling movement of said electrode pair mounting means and said workpiece mounting means.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for electrochemically machining airfoil blades

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for electrochemically machining airfoil blades

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23