Claims
- 1. A method for electrochemically machining a workpiece comprising the steps of:
positioning an electrode near the workpiece to form a gap between the electrode and the workpiece; providing a flow of an electrolyte through the gap; forming a circuit to allow electrical power to flow through the electrode, the electrolyte in the gap, and the workpiece; and generating a pulse of electrical power with a current greater than about 100 amperes and a minimum pulse duration of less than about 10 microseconds to erode material from the workpiece.
- 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting a short-circuit between the electrode and the workpiece.
- 3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of detecting a short-circuit between the electrode and the workpiece comprises the step of measuring a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece to detect a short-circuit before the generation of a pulse of electric power.
- 4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the step of deactivating the generation of a pulse of electric power if a short-circuit is detected.
- 5. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of detecting a short-circuit between the electrode and the workpiece comprises the step of measuring a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece to detect a short-circuit during the generation of a pulse of electric power.
- 6. A method as set forth in claim 5 further comprising the step of stopping the generation of a pulse of electric power if a short-circuit is detected.
- 7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of transistors generates the pulse of electrical power and the method further comprises the step of sensing an amount of current flowing through each of the plurality of transistors.
- 8. A method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising the step of deactivating one of the plurality of transistors if the amount of current flowing through the transistor exceeds a predetermined value.
- 9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pulse of electrical power generates a current greater than about 500 amperes.
- 10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pulse of electrical power generates a current greater than about 2500 amperes.
- 11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the minimum pulse duration is maintained between about 2 microseconds and about 10 microseconds.
- 12. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the minimum pulse duration is maintained between about 2 microseconds and about 10 microseconds.
- 13. An electrochemical machining apparatus comprising:
a power supply to provide a DC electric power having a direct current; a switching portion connected to said power supply to interrupt said DC electric power capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power with a current greater than 100 amperes and a minimum pulse duration of less than about 10 microseconds; a controller operatively connected to said switching portion to control said switching portion; an electrode electrically connected to said switching portion; a workpiece positioned near said electrode to form a gap between said workpiece and said electrode; and an electrolyte supply for supplying an electrolyte to flow through said gap such that said electrolyte is in contact with said workpiece and said electrode for creating an electrical circuit for said pulse of DC electric power to conduct through.
- 14. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said switching portion further comprises a plurality of transistors to create said pulse of DC electric power.
- 15. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said plurality of transistors are of a metal-oxide-silicon field-effect type.
- 16. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of current sensors operatively connected to said transistors and operatively connected to said controller for sensing an amount of current flowing through each transistor and disabling said transistor if the amount of current flowing through the transistor is above a pre-determined level.
- 17. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a short-circuit detector operatively connected to said electrode and said workpiece for detecting a short-circuit between said electrode and said workpiece.
- 18. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said short-circuit detector is operatively connected to said controller for turning off said pulse of DC electric power if said short-circuit is detected.
- 19. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a user interface operatively connected to said controller for allowing an operator to adjust parameters of said controller.
- 20. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said controller comprises a microcontroller and a computer in connection with each other and said computer provides a signal to said microcontroller to trigger said pulse of DC electric power.
- 21. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power having a current greater than about 500 amperes.
- 22. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power having a current greater than about 2500 amperes.
- 23. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power with a minimum pulse width between about 2 microseconds and about 10 microseconds.
- 24. An electrochemical machining apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power with a minimum pulse width between about 2 microseconds and about 10 microseconds.
- 25. An electrochemical machining apparatus comprising:
a power supply to provide a DC electric power having a direct current; a switching portion connected to said power supply to interrupt said DC electric power capable or producing a pulse of DC electric power having a current of at least about 2800 amperes and a pulse duration between about 2 microseconds and about 10 microseconds; a controller operatively connected to said switching portion to control said switching portion an electrode electrically connected to said switching portion; a workpiece positioned near said electrode to form a gap between said workpiece and said electrode; and an electrode supply for supplying an electrolyte to flow through said gap such that said electrolyte is in contact with said workpiece and said electrode for creating an electrical circuit for said pulse of DC electric power to conduct through.
- 26. A pulsed power supply comprising:
a power supply to provide a DC electric power having a direct current; a switching portion connected to said power supply to interrupt said DC electric power capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power having a current greater than 100 amperes and a minimum pulse duration of less than about 10 microseconds; a controller operatively connected to said switching portion to control said switching portion; said switching portion including a plurality of transistors of metal-oxide-silicon field-effect type.
- 27. A pulsed power supply as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a plurality of current sensors operatively connected to said transistors and operatively connected to said controller for sensing an amount of current flowing through each transistor and disabling said transistor if the amount of current flowing through the transistor is above a pre-determined level.
- 28. A pulsed power supply as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a user interface operatively connected to said controller for allowing an operator to adjust parameters of said controller.
- 29. A pulsed power supply as set forth in claim 26 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power having a current greater than about 500 amperes.
- 30. A pulsed power supply as set forth in claim 26 wherein said switching portion is capable of producing a pulse of DC electric power having a greater than about 2500 amperes.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/382,951 filed on May 24, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60382951 |
May 2002 |
US |