EDM using a partition member to separate hydrocarbon and water liquids in the work tank

Claim 3

The method defined in claim 1 wherein said partition means is constructed and arranged so as to minimize entry of said coolant into said first chamber.

Claim 4

The method defined in claim 2 wherein said partition means is constructed and arranged so as to minimize diffusion of said machining medium into said second chamber.

Claim 5

The method defined in claim 1 wherein said coolant consists of 0.1 to 5% by weight a non-ionic surface active agent having a cloud point and the balance essentially deionized water.

Claim 6

The method defined in claim 4 wherein said deionized water has a specific resistance ranging between 5×10 3 ohm-cm and 2×10 5 ohm-cm.

Claim 7

An electroerosive machining apparatus having a machining receptacle, means for positioning a tool electrode in spaced juxtaposition with a conductive workpiece in the machining receptacle to define an erosion gap over a machining area between the juxtaposed electrode and workpiece and means for effecting a succession of electrical discharges across the erosion gap over the machining area to electroerosively remove material from the workpiece over said area, the apparatus comprising: partition means constructed and arranged to divide a space surrounding a workpiece in a machining receptacle into a first chamber directly surrounding and contiguous with a machining area and a second chamber outside of said first chamber and surrounding a portion of said workpiece which is remote from said machining area; first fluid supply means for flooding said machining area and said first chamber with a machining medium constituted by a liquid hydrocarbon so that electrical discharges are effected through said liquid hydrocarbon; second fluid supply means for flooding said second chamber with a coolant constituted by a water liquid in contact with said portion of the workpiece to sufficiently cool the latter against heating thereof due to the erosive discharges in said first chamber; and means for relatively displacing the tool electrode and the workpiece to advance the removal of the material in said workpiece.

Claim 8

An electroerosive machining apparatus having a machining receptacle, means for positioning a tool electrode in spaced juxtaposition with a conductive workpiece in the machining receptacle to define an erosion gap over a machining area between the juxtaposed electrode and workpiece and means for effecting a succession of electrical discharges across the erosion gap over the machining area to electroerosively remove material from the workpiece over said area, the apparatus comprising: partition means constructed and arranged to divide a space surrounding a workpiece in a machining receptacle into a first chamber directly surrounding and contiguous with a machining area and a second chamber outside of said first chamber and surrounding a portion of said workpiece which is remote from said machining area; first fluid supply means for flooding said machining area and said first chamber with a machining medium constituted by a liquid hydrocarbon so that electrical discharges are effected through said liquid hydrocarbon; second fluid supply means for flooding said second chamber with a coolant constituted by a water liquid in contact with said portion of the workpiece to sufficiently cool the latter against heating thereof due to the erosive discharges in said first chamber; and means for relatively displacing the tool electrode and the workpiece to advance the removal of the material in said workpiece.

Claim 9

The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said partition means is constructed and arranged to separate said first and second chambers from each other in a substantially fluid-tight relationship.

Claim 10

The apparatus defined in claim 7, further comprising cover means associated with said partition member and said tool electrode for closing said first chamber substantially isolated from the atmosphere.

Claim 11

The method defined in claim 1 wherein said partition means is maintained in position dividing said space while said tool electrode and said workpiece are relatively displaced to advance removal of material in said workpiece.

Claim 12

The apparatus defined in claim 7, further comprising cover means associated with said partition means and a support of said tool electrode for closing said first chamber substantially isolated from the atmosphere.