Electrochemical machining apparatus

Claim 2

Electrochemical machining apparatus for a flat workpiece having a peripheral edge to be treated, comprising a nonconductive support means for said workpiece which encloses and masks all but said peripheral edge thereof, an electrode connected to the negative terminal of a direct current power source positioned on said support means and surrounding said peripheral edge of said workpiece a spaced distance therefrom, said electrode having a pair of lips projecting toward said peripheral edge of said workpiece, one at a level above said peripheral edge and one at a level below said peripheral edge, the space between said lips and said workpiece comprising the electrolytic gap, means connecting said workpiece with the positive terminal of a direct current power source, and means for flowing electrolyte through said electrolytic gap.

Claim 3

Electrochemical deburring apparatus for a flat workpiece which has a peripheral edge to be deburred, comprising a non-conductive support base, a non-conductive mask for the lower surface of the workpiece mounted on said base, upon which the workpiece rests, the surface of said mask adjacent the lower surface of the workpiece conforming in shape to the workpiece and sized slightly smaller leaving the peripheral edge of the workpiece exposed, an electrode connected to the negative terminal of a direct current power source positioned on said support base and surrounding the peripheral edge of the workpiece, said electrode having a pair of lips projecting toward the peripheral edge of the workpiece, one at a level below the peripheral edge, one at a level above the peripheral edge, and which are equally spaced from the peripheral edge, the space between said lips and the peripheral edge of said workpiece comprising an electrolytic gap, means defining a channel between said mask mounted on said base and said electrode, conduit means in said base for conducting electrolyte fluid to said channel, means for fixedly positioning the workpiece on said mask, a cover overlying said base and the workpiece, a non-conductive mask mounted on the under side of said cover for masking the upper surface of the workpiece leaving the peripheral edge exposed, means in the cover for connecting the workpiece to the positive terminal of a direct current power source, means defining a channel between said upper mask and said electrode, said cover having conduit means for conveying electrolyte from said channel, and means for holding said cover on said base.

Claim 4

Electrochemical deburring apparatus for a flat workpiece which has a peripheral edge to be deburred, comprising a non-conductive support base, a non-conductive mask for the lower surface of the workpiece mounted on said base, upon which the workpiece rests, the surface of said mask adjacent the lower surface of the workpiece conforming in shape to the workpiece and sized slightly smaller leaving the peripheral edge of the workpiece exposed, an electrode connected to the negative terminal of a direct current power source positioned on said support base and surrounding the peripheral edge of the workpiece, said electrode having a pair of lips projecting toward the peripheral edge of the workpiece, one at a level below the peripheral edge, one at a level above the peripheral edge, and which are equally spaced from the peripheral edge, the space between said lips and the peripheral edge of said workpiece comprising an electrolytic gap, means defining a channel between said mask mounted on said base and said electrode, conduit means in said base for conducting electrolyte fluid to said channel, means for fixedly positioning the workpiece on said mask, a cover overlying said base and the workpiece, a non-conductive mask mounted on the under side of said cover for masking the upper surface of the workpiece leaving the peripheral edge exposed, means in the cover for connecting the workpiece to the positive terminal of a direct current power source, means defining a channel between said upper mask and said electrode, said cover having conduit means for conveying electrolyte from said channel, and means for holding said cover on said base.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for positioning said workpiece is a pair of spring loaded pins which are actuated by a rod in said support base and extend upwardly through said support base and said mask mounted on said support base through orifices in the workpiece, into recesses in said mask attached to said cover, thus fixedly positioning the workpiece in relation to the apparatus.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for holding said cover over said workpiece is a toggle clamp attached to a support and biased against said cover.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vertical and horizontal distance between said lips and said peripheral edge of said workpiece is 0.020 inch.