Patent US5187899A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5187899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High frequency vibrational polishing
Assignee: Extrude Hone LLC
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Filing: 1989-12-21
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Granted: 1993-02-23
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Expires: 2009-12-21
Abstract
Abstract High frequency vibrational polishing without substantial loss of fine resolution and detail is provided by employing a tool of a more ultrasonically abradable material than the workpiece, as the oscillating driver of a liquid abrasive slurry. The total is preferentially eroded and conforms to the pattern of the workpiece continuously self-dressing during polishing.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Rhoades
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:04
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B35/00; B24B35/005; B24B1/00; B24B1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
The method of working a workpiece surface having a configuration preformed therein to remove a very thin and uniform layer of material from the workpiece surface without adversely effecting the configuration detail and resolution, the steps comprising: A. forming a blank tool from a material that is more ultrasonically abradable than the workpiece; B. mounting said tool in a vibratable relationship to said workpiece; C. applying a liquid abrasive slurry between said tool and said workpiece; D. causing a relative vibratory motion between said tool and said workpiece at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to abrade and shape said tool into relative mating conformity with said configuration on the surface of said workpiece; E. continuing said vibratory motion as will continue to abrade said tool as said tool continues to reform and maintain said relative conformity with the surface configuration of said workpiece while at the same time imparting a relatively minor working action on the surface of said workpiece; and F. stopping said vibratory motion when the surface of the workpiece has been abraded to the degree desired.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
The method of working a workpiece surface having a configuration preformed therein to remove a very thin and uniform layer of material from the workpiece surface without adversely effecting the configuration detail and resolution, the steps comprising: A. forming a blank tool from a material that is more ultrasonically abradable than the workpiece; B. mounting said tool in a vibratable relationship to said workpiece; C. applying a liquid abrasive slurry between said tool and said workpiece; D. causing a relative vibratory motion between said tool and said workpiece at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to abrade and shape said tool into relative mating conformity with said configuration on the surface of said workpiece; E. continuing said vibratory motion as will continue to abrade said tool as said tool continues to reform and maintain said relative conformity with the surface configuration of said workpiece while at the same time imparting a relatively minor working action on the surface of said workpiece; and F. stopping said vibratory motion when the surface of the workpiece has been abraded to the degree desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the process is utilized to polish the workpiece surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the process is utilized to remove an unwanted layer of material from the workpiece surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the process is utilized to remove any unwanted burrs from the workpiece surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the process is utilized to radius the edges of the workpiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vibratory motion is effected at a frequency of from 1 to 40 KHz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tool is preshaped to a form having a general conformance to the preshaped surface of the workpiece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the abrasive in said slurry has a particle size less than about 200 mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said abrasive has a particle size of from 320 to 1000 mesh.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said abrasive is present in said slurry at a concentration of from 25 to 50 volume percent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tool material is selected from the group consisting of graphite, porous ceramic, glass and quartz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tool material is an unformed block of graphite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tool material is an unformed block of glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tool material is an unformed block of porous ceramic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid abrasive slurry flows continuously through the gap between said tool and said workpiece.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid abrasive slurry flushes tool particles and particles abraded from said workpiece from said gap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said abrasive in said slurry is a member selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron nitride, alumina, corundum, diamond, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said workpiece is made of a material not normally considered appropriate for ultrasonic machining.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said workpiece is made of a material selected from the group consisting of bronze, brass, silver, gold nickel, stainless steel and polymeric materials.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-23 | 1996-08-24 | 1997-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-23 | 2000-08-24 | 2001-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-23 | 2004-08-24 | 2005-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |