Abrasive flow machining apparatus and method
AssigneeExtrude Hone Corporation
InventorWilliam L. Walch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for abrasive flow machining the orifice (18) of a workpiece (20) by using an abrasive media (15) whereby the apparatus (10) is capable of passing media (15) through the orifice (18) at a predetermined pressure and at a constant flow rate. In the alternative, the apparatus (10) is capable of passing media (15) through the orifice (18) at a fixed flow rate by using variable pressure upon the media (15) through the orifice (18).
Claims45
An abrasive flow machine for moving abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece comprising:
- a) a workpiece holder, wherein the holder is adapted to securely retain the workpiece, and wherein one side of the holder defines an upstream side and the other side of the holder defines a downstream side;
- b) a first positive displacement pump positioned on the upstream side and connected to the upstream side of the holder for forcing media under a predetermined pressure to the downstream side of the holder;
- and
- c) a media opposer positioned on the downstream side and connected to the downstream side of the holder for opposing the flow of the media to the downstream side, thereby controlling the media flow rate from the upstream side to the downstream side of the holder.
An abrasive flow machine for moving abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece comprising:
- a) a workpiece holder, wherein the holder is adapted to securely retain the workpiece, and wherein one side of the holder defines a first side and the other side of the holder defines a second side;
- b) a first positive displacement pump positioned on the first side and connected to the first side of the holder;
- c) a second positive displacement pump positioned on the second side and connected to the second side of the holder;
- d) wherein in a first mode the first positive displacement pump forces media from the first side to the second side of the holder while the second displacement pump resists flow thereby controlling flow to the second side of the holder;
- and
- e) wherein in a second mode the second positive displacement pump forces media from the second side to the first side of the holder while the first displacement pump resists flow thereby controlling flow to the first side of the holder.
A method for abrasive flow machining using an abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece, wherein the orifice defines an upstream side and a downstream side, comprising the steps of:
- a) moving media through the orifice from the upstream side to the downstream side at a predetermined constant pressure on a first side;
- and
- b) selectively throttling the flow of media to the downstream side to control the flow rate of the media passing through the orifice while maintaining the predetermined constant pressure on a second side.
A method for abrasive flow machining using an abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece, wherein the orifice defines a first side and a second side, comprising the steps of:
- a) moving media through the orifice from the first side to the second side at a predetermined constant pressure;
- b) selectively throttling the flow of media to the second side to control the flow rate of the media passing through the orifice while maintaining the predetermined constant pressure;
- c) moving media through the orifice from the second side to the first side at the predetermined constant pressure;
- and
- d) selectively throttling the flow of media to the first side to control the flow rate of the media passing through the orifice while maintaining the predetermined constant pressure.
A method for abrasive flow machining using an abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece, wherein the orifice defines an upstream side and a downstream side, comprising the steps of:
- a) moving media through the orifice from the upstream side to the downstream side at a pressure;
- and
- b) adjusting the pressure to provide a constant flow rate of the media passing through the orifice.
A method for abrasive flow machining using an abrasive media through the orifice of a workpiece, wherein the orifice defines a first side and a second side, comprising the steps of:
- a) moving media through the orifice from the first side to the second side by applying pressure at a first side and relieving pressure at the second side;
- b) adjusting the pressure at the first side to provide a constant flow rate of the media passing from the first side through the orifice;
- c) moving media through the orifice from the second side to the first side by applying pressure at the second side and relieving pressure at the first side;
- and
- d) adjusting the pressure at the second side to provide a constant flow rate of the media passing from the second side through the orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.