US3729609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-electrode electrical discharge machining apparatus
Assignee: Raycon Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-08
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-02-08
Abstract
Abstract Electrical discharge machining apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, a carriage mounted on the frame for guided movement in a vertical direction, and a cartridge assembly supporting the electrodes and removably mounted on the carriage so that the electrodes extend vertically. Manually operable gripper means is provided for feeding the electrodes downwardly after each machining operation into engagement with the workpiece so as to compensate for electrode wear experienced during one or more preceding machining operations. Positive stop anti-short power means is combined with the carriage to enable retraction of the electrodes out of engagement with the workpiece into a predetermined spaced relation with the workpiece at least as great as the desired spark gap spacing between the electrodes and the workpiece during machining. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge member provided with contact blocks connected to a supply of current and engaged with the electrodes during machining.
Inventors
- 👤 J Check
- 👤 G Rupert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H7/00; B23H7/26; B23H7/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus; a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, e. motor means mounted on said frame and connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth in said one direction, and f. power means connected to said motor means and operable to move said carriage a predetermined distance in response to each actuation of said power means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus; a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, e. motor means mounted on said frame and connected to said carriage for moving said carriage back and forth in said one direction, and f. power means connected to said motor means and operable to move said carriage a predetermined distance in response to each actuation of said power means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises a fluid actuated cylinder assembly having the cylinder therefor mounted on said frame and having the piston rod therefor extending in said one direction, and wherein said power means comprises a fluid actuated cylinder assembly having the cylinder therefor mounted on said carriage and having the piston rod therefor extending in said one direction, means connecting said piston rods and providing a pair of abutment surfaces spaced apart in said one direction, and projection means on said carriage disposed between said surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said surfaces are spaced apart a predetermined distance and said carriage projection is of a dimension in said one direction less than said predetermined distance by an amount at least as great as the spark gap spacing desired between said electrodes and a workpiece when electrical discharge machining of the workpiece is initiated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus: a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, and wherein said cartridge assembly includes a cartridge member removably mounted on said carriage and having said electrodes slidably mounted thereon, an electrode retainer plate secured to said cartridge member so as to maintain said electrodes thereon, and electrode gripper means disposed at one end of said cartridge member and operable to grip said electrodes and manually move said electrodes in said one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus: a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, and wherein said cartridge assembly includes a cartridge member removably mounted on said carriage and having said electrodes slidably mounted thereon, an electrode retainer plate secured to said cartridge member so as to maintain said electrodes thereon, and electrode gripper means disposed at one end of said cartridge member and operable to grip said electrodes and manually move said electrodes in said one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cartridge assembly further includes electrode guide means mounted on said frame at a position spaced from said carriage and said cartridge member and operable to guide said electrodes during movement of said carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said gripper means is disposed between said cartridge member and said guide means, said gripper means comprising a body engaged with said electrodes and guidably mounted for back and forth movement in said one direction, and a gripper bar mounted on said body for movement toward said body so as to grip the electrodes engaged therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 6 further including slide pin means guidably supported on said cartridge member and secured to said gripper body for guidably supporting said body during movement thereof, and stop means limiting the extent of movement of said slide pin means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 4 further including an electrode clAmp bar releasably mounted on said cartridge member at a position between said retainer plate and said gripper means, said clamp bar being operable to clamp said electrodes against said cartridge member so as to maintain said electrodes in fixed positions relative to said cartridge member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus: a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, and wherein said cartridge assembly includes a cartridge member formed of an electrically non-conducting material and having a plurality of channels formed therein substantially parallel to said one direction, each of said channels having at least one of said electrodes disposed therein, and retainer means secured to said cartridge member so as to retain said electrodes in said channels for movement longitudinally thereof, and e. a plurality of electrode contact blocks, each of said blocks being formed of an electric current conducting material and projecting into one of said channels and into current conducting engagement with the electrodes in cooperation with said retainer means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
In electrical discharge machining apparatus: a. a frame, b. a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, c. a carriage mounted on said frame for guided translatory movement in one direction, d. a cartridge assembly supporting said electrodes and removably mounted on said carriage so that said electrodes extend longitudinally in said one direction, and wherein said cartridge assembly includes a cartridge member formed of an electrically non-conducting material and having a plurality of channels formed therein substantially parallel to said one direction, each of said channels having at least one of said electrodes disposed therein, and retainer means secured to said cartridge member so as to retain said electrodes in said channels for movement longitudinally thereof, and e. a plurality of electrode contact blocks, each of said blocks being formed of an electric current conducting material and projecting into one of said channels and into current conducting engagement with the electrodes in cooperation with said retainer means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each of said blocks has an extension which extends through said cartridge member and is adapted to receive a current conductor lead.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Electrical discharge machining apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said contact blocks are spaced from said retainer plate and further including a clamp bar releasably secured to said cartridge member at a position aligned with said contact blocks and operable to clamp said electrodes against said blocks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |