US3878352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical discharge machine with evolved-gas detoxification
Assignee: Japan Kinoko Research Center Foundation
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Filing: 1974-04-22
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-04-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical discharge machining apparatus in which an electrode is juxtaposed with a workpiece across a gap filled with a dielectric liquid is provided with means for collecting gases from immediately above the surface of the dielectric liquid, evaluating these gases and detoxifying them by rendering them noncombustible and nonexplosive and nonhazardous to life.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Inoue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:26
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An electrical-discharge machine including: a work tank for receiving a machining liquid in which electrical discharge machining is carried out across a machining gap; cover means associated with said work tank for defining a chamber with the surface of said machining liquid and collecting in said chamber discharge-produced fluid evolved from said machining gap; conduit means communicating said chamber with the atmosphere; suction means in said conduit means for drawing said fluid from said chamber and maintaining the latter at a subatmospheric pressure; and fluid-clarifying means in said conduit means for converting said fluid drawn from said chamber into a clean air and permitting the latter to be discharged into the atmosphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An electrical-discharge machine including: a work tank for receiving a machining liquid in which electrical discharge machining is carried out across a machining gap; cover means associated with said work tank for defining a chamber with the surface of said machining liquid and collecting in said chamber discharge-produced fluid evolved from said machining gap; conduit means communicating said chamber with the atmosphere; suction means in said conduit means for drawing said fluid from said chamber and maintaining the latter at a subatmospheric pressure; and fluid-clarifying means in said conduit means for converting said fluid drawn from said chamber into a clean air and permitting the latter to be discharged into the atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an electrical-discharge machine having a body of an dielectric liquid flooding a gap between a workpiece and a tool electrode spacedly juxtaposed therewith and means for effecting electrical discharge across said gap to generate combustible and toxic gases rising to the surface of the dielectric liquid, the improvement which comprises: a. means for collecting said gases immediately above the surface of said body of dielectric liquid and for confining said gases from passage directly to the atmosphere; and b. means for oxidizing the collected and confined gases to render same nontoxic and noncombustible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an electrical-discharge machine having a body of an dielectric liquid flooding a gap between a workpiece and a tool electrode spacedly juxtaposed therewith and means for effecting electrical discharge across said gap to generate combustible and toxic gases rising to the surface of the dielectric liquid, the improvement which comprises: a. means for collecting said gases immediately above the surface of said body of dielectric liquid and for confining said gases from passage directly to the atmosphere; and b. means for oxidizing the collected and confined gases to render same nontoxic and noncombustible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein the means for collecting and confining said gases includes a hood disposed above said body of said dielectric liquid and suction means connected to said hood for drawing gases therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement defined in claim 3 wherein said means for oxidizing said gases includes a body of a catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement defined in claim 4 wherein said suction means is an aspirator, further comprising means for circulating said dielectric liquid through said aspirator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a method of operating an electric-discharge machining apparatus wherein a spark discharge is repetitively effected across a machining gap between a tool electrode and a metallic workpiece and a body of dielectric liquid floods said gap whereby gases are evolved from said liquid upon discharge between said electrode and said workpiece, the improvement which comprises the steps of: a. collecting the gases formed from said dielectric liquid immediately above said body thereof and confining the collected gases against direct escape into the atmosphere; and b. treatiNg the collected gases to render same nontoxic and noncumbustible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a method of operating an electric-discharge machining apparatus wherein a spark discharge is repetitively effected across a machining gap between a tool electrode and a metallic workpiece and a body of dielectric liquid floods said gap whereby gases are evolved from said liquid upon discharge between said electrode and said workpiece, the improvement which comprises the steps of: a. collecting the gases formed from said dielectric liquid immediately above said body thereof and confining the collected gases against direct escape into the atmosphere; and b. treatiNg the collected gases to render same nontoxic and noncumbustible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement defined in claim 6 wherein said gases are collected and confined by juxtaposing a hood closely with the walls of a work tank receiving said body of dielectric liquid, said method further comprising drawing the gases from said hood under suction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 7 wherein said gases are treated by catalytic oxidation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement defined in claim 8 wherein said gases are entrained from said hood in a stream of said dielectric liquid and are separated from said stream prior to treatment.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |