Apparatus and method for electro-polishing complex shapes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018318951-A1
Application number	US-201715584715-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 2, 2017
Priority date	May 2, 2017
Publication date	Nov 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for electro-polishing an object that has a complex shape that defines a cavity. The apparatus includes an electrode that is configured to closely engage a predetermined location of the object. The electrode is configured to be electrically connected to a power supply.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for electro-polishing an object that has a complex shape that defines a cavity, the apparatus comprising:
an electrode that is configured to closely engage a predetermined location of the object; and wherein the electrode is configured to be electrically connected to a power supply.

2 . The apparatus for electro-polishing an object according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode is formed to closely contact the object.

3 . The apparatus for electro-polishing an object according to claim 2 , wherein the shape of the electrode is defined by the shape of the object.

4 . The apparatus for electro-polishing an object according to claim 3 , wherein electrode is defined by the shape of the object and at least one removable fixture.

5 . The apparatus for electro-polishing an object according to claim 1 , wherein object to be electro-polished is a component from an aircraft engine.

6 . The apparatus for electro-polishing an object according to claim 5 , wherein the object to be electro-polished is a metal leading edge configured to be attached to a fan blade.

7 . A method for electro-polishing metal, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an object that has a wall and the wall defines a first surface that is to be polished and a second surface; positioning an electrode on the object to be polished such that the electrode is in contact with the second surface; connecting the electrode to a power supply; placing the object to be polished in an electrolyte solution such that the object is an anode; and passing current through the electrode.

8 . The method according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
positioning multiple electrodes such that they are in contact with the second surface.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of each electrode is in substantially continuous contact with the second surface.

10 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein a cathode is electrically connected to the power supply and is positioned in the electrolyte solution.

11 . A method for electro-polishing an object that defines an open-ended cavity, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning a first dam at a first end of the cavity; positioning a second dam at a second end of the cavity such that an electrode region is defined; filling the electrode region with a metal to form an electrode; electrically connecting the electrode to a power supply; placing the object to be polished in an electrolyte solution; and passing current through the electrode such that the object is an anode.

12 . The method for electro-polishing an object according to claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
removing the electrode from the object.

13 . The method for electro-polishing an object according to claim 12 , wherein the step of removing includes melting a portion of the electrode.

14 . The method for electro-polishing an object according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing the first and second dams.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Acosta Manuel
• O'Shea James J

Classifications

• C25F7/00 Primary

  Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic removal of material from objects (for both electrolytic coating and removal C25D); Servicing or operating · CPC title

• C25F3/16 Primary

  Polishing · CPC title

• H05H7/00

  Details of devices of the types covered by groups H05H9/00, H05H11/00, H05H13/00 · CPC title

• C25C3/06

  of aluminium · CPC title

• B23H3/04

  Electrodes specially adapted therefor or their manufacture (B23H9/00 takes precedence) · CPC title