US3873512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machining method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-30
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of machining a metallic workpiece with a worktool by passing an electrolyte in contact with the workpiece; immersing an auxiliary electrode in said electrolyte; providing a reference electrode; applying an electrical potential to the workpiece, in relation to the reference electrode, sufficient to control the mechanical and physical properties of the workpiece without significantly chemically deplating metal from the workpiece; and removing metal from the workpiece principally by the frictional movement of the worktool in direct contact with the workpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald M Latanision
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:57
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H5/00; B23H5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A METHOD OF MACHINING A METALLIC WORKPIECE WITH A WORKTOOL COMPRISING PASSING AN ELECTROLYTE IN CONTACT WITH A WORKPIECE; IMMERSING AN AUXILIARY ELECTRODE IN SAID ELECTROLYTE; PROVIDING A REFERENCE ELECTRODE; PASSING A CURRENT BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARY ELECTRODE AND SAID WORKPIECE SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINED POTENTIAL BETWEEN SAID WORKPIECE AND SAID REFERENCE ELECTRODE, THEREBY CONTROLLING THE MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WORKPIECE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY CHEMICALLY DEPLATING METAL FROM THE WORKPIECE; AND REMOVING METAL FROM THE WORKPIECE PRINCIPALLY BY THE FRICTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE WORKTOOL IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WORKPIECE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A METHOD OF MACHINING A METALLIC WORKPIECE WITH A WORKTOOL COMPRISING PASSING AN ELECTROLYTE IN CONTACT WITH A WORKPIECE; IMMERSING AN AUXILIARY ELECTRODE IN SAID ELECTROLYTE; PROVIDING A REFERENCE ELECTRODE; PASSING A CURRENT BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARY ELECTRODE AND SAID WORKPIECE SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINED POTENTIAL BETWEEN SAID WORKPIECE AND SAID REFERENCE ELECTRODE, THEREBY CONTROLLING THE MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WORKPIECE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY CHEMICALLY DEPLATING METAL FROM THE WORKPIECE; AND REMOVING METAL FROM THE WORKPIECE PRINCIPALLY BY THE FRICTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE WORKTOOL IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WORKPIECE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece is immersed in the electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode is immersed in the electrolyte.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the reference electrode is immersed in a second electrolyte which is conductively bridged or connected to the electrolyte carrying the auxiliary electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein at least 95% of tHe metal removed from the workpiece occurs by frictional movement of the worktool in direct contact with the workpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is continuously passed into contact with a surface of the workpiece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece is made an anode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the workpiece is made a cathode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the worktool is an electrical conductor, including the step of applying a second electrical potential between the workpiece and the worktool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the worktool is an electrical conductor, including the steps of sensing the thermoelectric emf and the resultant thermoelectric current present at the workpiece-worktool contact zones and applying an electrical potential between the workpiece and the worktool to compensate for or reduce said thermoelectric current.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the current applied between the workpiece and worktool is below about 120 mA.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the metal is removed by drilling.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a mineral acid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, boric, nitric, phosphoric acid and salts of any one of said acids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the workpiece is a nickel alloy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the current passing between said auxiliary electrode and said workpiece is below about 10 mA/cm2.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |