Patent US3584179A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3584179A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Edm electrode construction and method of making same
Assignee: Automotive Pattern Co
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Filing: 1969-05-08
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An electrode construction for use in operative association with electrical discharge machines, and method of making same, the electrode comprising a plurality of adjacently oriented cooperable segmental electrode sections arranged so as to define a working surface having a conformation corresponding to the shape to which a workpiece is to be machined; a support structure or holder member adapted to operatively support the electrode sections in a manner such that said sections may be removed and replaced after they have become excessively eroded or otherwise consumed; the method of making the electrode including the steps of providing a mold or form having a face portion of the same conformation as the ultimate shape to which the workpiece is to be machined; providing a parting or release substance on the face portion of the form and thereafter arranging the plurality of electrode sections on the form; providing a deformable material on one side of the holder member and biasing said member toward and into engagement with the electrode sections in a manner such that the material is deformed so as to define a reference surface upon which the electrode sections may be detachably mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd A Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:47
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H1/00; B23H1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface substantially complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface substantially complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material between said body member and said electrode elements is bonded to said body member and is detachably engaged with said electrode sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material between said body member and said electrode elements has preselected flow properties such that a reference surface is formed when said body member is urged to engagement with said electrode elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said material is selected from the group of thixotropic plastics, ceramics and plaster.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for detachably securing said electrode elements to said body member, said securing means comprising screw means extending through said electrode elements and threadably engaged with said body member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said screw means comprise slotted head sections which are recessed below the surface of said electrode elements, and wherein the slots of said screws are adapted to receive a suitable filler means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for detachably securing said electrode elements to said body member, said securing means comprising an adhesive material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body member includes means defining a dielectric fluid manifold chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 8 which includes passage means extending between said chamber and machining surface of said electrode elements for communicating dielectric fluid therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein some of said electrode elements are abuttingly engageable with one another and are thereby adapted to compleTe an electrical circuit between one another and other of said elements are disengaged with certain of said elements so as to be electrically isolated from said certain elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes auxiliary conductor means for completing an electrical circuit between some of said electrode elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the marginal edge of one of said electrode elements is spaced away from the marginal edge of the adjacent of said electrode elements for electrically insulating said one section from the other of said sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electrode elements are adapted to be connected to a power source via first and second electrical power circuit means for communicating electrical energy to said some of said electrode elements and said isolated elements, respectively, whereby electrical energy of different magnitudes may be communicated to said electrode elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the marginal edges of said one electrode elements and the marginal edges of said other electrode elements define a recessed gap, and which includes means for communicating dielectric fluid from a source thereof through said gap.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrode elements are fabricated of different materials so as to be consumed at different rates during operation of the associated electrical discharge machine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least one of said electrode elements is oriented generally parallel to the direction of movement of the electrode, said one electrode element being fabricated of a more wear resistant material than the other of said electrode elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body member defines a multiple faceted mounting surface, and which includes at least one electrode element adapted to be detachably secured to each of the facets of said mounting surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
174 words
In an electrical discharge electrode movable toward and away from a workpiece for machining a relatively nonplanar surface thereon, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least one of said electrode elements being generally coplanar with the direction of movement of the electrode toward and away from the workpiece, with said one electrode element being fabricated of electrode material having increased wear resistance as compared to other of said electrode elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
174 words
In an electrical discharge electrode movable toward and away from a workpiece for machining a relatively nonplanar surface thereon, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least one of said electrode elements being generally coplanar with the direction of movement of the electrode toward and away from the workpiece, with said one electrode element being fabricated of electrode material having increased wear resistance as compared to other of said electrode elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least some of said electrode elements being fabricated of different electrode materials, whereby said electrode elements will be consumed at different rates during a machining operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least some of said electrode elements being fabricated of different electrode materials, whereby said electrode elements will be consumed at different rates during a machining operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an electrical discharge machine including first and second power sources, an electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, said electrode comprising, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least one of said electrode elements being electrically insulated from other of said electrode elements, and first circuit means connecting said insulated element to said first power source and second circuit means for connecting other of said electrode elements to said second power source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
178 words
In an electrical discharge machine including first and second power sources, an electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, said electrode comprising, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, at least one of said electrode elements being electrically insulated from other of said electrode elements, and first circuit means connecting said insulated element to said first power source and second circuit means for connecting other of said electrode elements to said second power source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
164 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, the edges of at least some of said electrode elements being coplanar with one of the sides of adjacent of said electrode elements, whereby to provide a substantially continuous machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
164 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, the edges of at least some of said electrode elements being coplanar with one of the sides of adjacent of said electrode elements, whereby to provide a substantially continuous machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, said material being of a generally thixotropic character and thereby being initially deformable upon engagement of said electrode elements therewith and upon curing thereof defining the permanent surface upon which said electrode elements may be detachably secured.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an electrical discharge electrode for machining a relatively nonplanar surface on a workpiece, a body member defining a relatively irregular mounting surface roughly approximating the contour of surface to be machined on the workpiece, a plurality of generally flat, uniform thickness segmental electrode elements having front and rear sides mounted on said body member, said irregular mounting surface and said plurality of electrode elements together defining spaces, said elements being arranged in generally edge-to-edge abutting relationship and together defining a machining surface complementary to the surface to be machined on the workpiece, and a layer of material substantially filling the spaces between the rearward sides of said elements and said irregular mounting surface and adapted to have said elements contiguously engaged therewith, said material being of a generally thixotropic character and thereby being initially deformable upon engagement of said electrode elements therewith and upon curing thereof defining the permanent surface upon which said electrode elements may be detachably secured.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2861164A
Cited
US3058895A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |