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US3936653A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process and device for cutting electrically conductive material workpieces

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-25
•
Granted: 1976-02-03
•
Expires: 1994-03-25
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Abstract

Abstract A process and device for cutting an electrically conductive workpiece. The workpiece is moved relative to an endless circulating electrode while an electrical voltage is applied to the electrode and the workpiece sufficient to form an arc therebetween for melting the material of the workpiece, which melted material is then carried away by the circulating electrode. The electrode may also oscillate in the direction of relative movement and/or the electrical voltage may be interrupted at certain times such as when the electrode is operable to carry away the melted workpiece material.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hans Gunter Bals

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 20:56
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/013; B23K9/0135

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 124 words
A process for cutting an electrically conductive workpiece, comprising the steps of: establishing relative movement in a cutting direction between the workpiece and a circulating endless electrode, and cyclically moving the electrode and the workpiece into and out of contact with each other at a cutting place on the workpiece, during at least a portion of each cycle applying between the electrode and the workpiece an electrical voltage strong enough to produce an arc therebetween which heats the workpiece to soften and melt the material thereof, and during a portion of said cycle as the workpiece and the element are moved into contact with each other, mechanically removing both softened and melted workpiece material by movement of the circulating electrode through the cutting place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 124 words
A process for cutting an electrically conductive workpiece, comprising the steps of: establishing relative movement in a cutting direction between the workpiece and a circulating endless electrode, and cyclically moving the electrode and the workpiece into and out of contact with each other at a cutting place on the workpiece, during at least a portion of each cycle applying between the electrode and the workpiece an electrical voltage strong enough to produce an arc therebetween which heats the workpiece to soften and melt the material thereof, and during a portion of said cycle as the workpiece and the element are moved into contact with each other, mechanically removing both softened and melted workpiece material by movement of the circulating electrode through the cutting place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process according to claim 1, said cyclical movement including oscillating the circulating electrode in the cutting direction independently of its circulating movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process according to claim 2, including cutting off the said electrical voltage during those portions of the oscillating movement when the electrode is oscillated toward the workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
A process according to claim 1, including switching off the electrical voltage during certain times as the electrode removes the softened and molten material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 148 words
A device for cutting an electrically conductive workpiece comprising: an endless electrode and means for mounting the electrode for circulating movement, means for mounting a workpiece for movement relative to the electrode in a cutting direction such that the electrode engages the workpiece at a cutting place, means for cyclically moving the electrode and the workpiece into and out of contact with each other, means for applying during at least a portion of each cycle an electrical voltage between the electrode and the workpiece to produce an arc which heats the workpiece to soften and melt the material thereof, said electrode being positioned relative to the cutting place of the workpiece to mechanically carry away both softened and melted workpiece material as it circulates through the cutting place, during a portion of the cyclic movement when the electrode and the workpiece are moving into contact with each other.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 148 words
A device for cutting an electrically conductive workpiece comprising: an endless electrode and means for mounting the electrode for circulating movement, means for mounting a workpiece for movement relative to the electrode in a cutting direction such that the electrode engages the workpiece at a cutting place, means for cyclically moving the electrode and the workpiece into and out of contact with each other, means for applying during at least a portion of each cycle an electrical voltage between the electrode and the workpiece to produce an arc which heats the workpiece to soften and melt the material thereof, said electrode being positioned relative to the cutting place of the workpiece to mechanically carry away both softened and melted workpiece material as it circulates through the cutting place, during a portion of the cyclic movement when the electrode and the workpiece are moving into contact with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the electrode is an endless wire closed on itself.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the voltage source is a welding generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 73 words
A device according to claim 5, said means for cyclically moving the workpiece and the electrode into and out of contact with each other including a pair of rolls mounted on a frame, said electode passing over said rolls, and said frame being swingable about a horizontal axis parallel to the direction of relative movement between the workpiece and the electrode to change the angular settings of the electrode relative to the workpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 31 words
A device according to claim 5, including means for directing a gaseous jet on the side of the electrode opposite from the side which engages the workpiece at the cutting place.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
A device according to claim 5, including means for varying the circulating speed of the electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 42 words
A device according to claim 5, including a pair of rolls mounting said electrode, and wherein at least one of the rolls is provided with radial coolant channels immediately beneath the path of the electrode over that roll for cooling the electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
A device according to claim 5, said electrode being connected to a voltage source through at least one of said rolls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
A device according to claim 12, including means for switching off the electrical current during that phase of reciprocating movement of the electrode during which it removes molten material from the workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 30 words
A device according to claim 13, including a control device operable as a function of the phase of reciprocating movement of the electrode for switching the voltage off and on.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 56 words
A device according to claim 5, said means for cyclically moving the workpiece and the electrode into and out of contact with each other including means for periodically reciprocating the electrode independent of its circulating movement at the cutting place in the direction parallel to the direction of relative movement between the electrode and the workpiece.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 28 words
A device according to claim 15, including at least one eccentrically mounted out-of-round guide roll, said guide roll being movable against the electrode for providing said reciprocating movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the electrode is a strip of steel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 19 words
A device according to claim 17, wherein said strip includes sawtooth-like projections on the edge thereof facing the workpiece.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE157017C Cited
US1433828A Cited
US2802929A Cited
US2906853A Cited
US2974216A Cited
US3731044A Cited
US3830996A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-02-02 1979-08-04 1980-02-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-02-02 1983-08-04 1984-02-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-02-02 1987-08-04 1988-02-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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