Method of electrochemically machining and electrode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024207959-A1
Application number	US-202218288441-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 27, 2022
Priority date	Apr 27, 2021
Publication date	Jun 27, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of electro-chemically machining a cavity of a component using a flexible electrode. The flexible electrode comprises: a flexible core; a conductive body electrically coupled to the core; and a non-conductive body. The method comprises: inserting the flexible electrode through an opening and along the cavity, the non-conductive body engaging an internal wall of the cavity; and applying a negative charge to the flexible electrode, and providing a flow of electrolyte through the cavity to remove material from the internal wall.

First claim

1 . A method of electrochemically machining a cavity of a component using a flexible electrode, the flexible electrode comprising:
a flexible core; a conductive body electrically coupled to the core; and a non-conductive body; the method comprising: inserting the flexible electrode through an opening and along the cavity, at least part of an outer profile of the non-conductive body engaging an internal wall of the cavity; and applying a negative charge to the flexible electrode, and providing a flow of electrolyte through the cavity to remove material from the internal wall.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising reciprocating the electrode within the cavity.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least a part of the outer profile of the non-conductive body projects beyond an outer profile of the conductive body.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the outer profile of the conductive body is spaced apart from the internal wall of the cavity by between around 0.3 mm and around 2.5 mm radially.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive body comprises a plurality of non-conductive plates;
wherein the conductive body comprises a plurality of conductive plates; and wherein the plurality of conductive plates interpose the plurality of non-conductive plates.

6 . (canceled)

7 . (canceled)

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises providing the conductive body with a plurality of conductive body elements.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the non-conductive body comprises a plurality of non-conductive rollers;
wherein the plurality of non-conductive rollers are rotatably coupled to the conductive body elements.

10 . (canceled)

11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cavity is a fluid conduit.

12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the flexible electrode extends through at least around 50% of an extent of the fluid conduit.

13 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the cavity is a turbine housing volute or compressor housing volute.

14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cavity is a first of a plurality of cavities, and the flexible electrode is a first of a plurality of flexible electrodes; and wherein a respective one of the plurality of flexible electrodes is received in each of the plurality of cavities.

15 . A flexible electrode for electrochemically machining a cavity of a component, the electrode comprising:
a flexible core; a conductive body electrically coupled to the core; and a non-conductive body.

16 . The electrode according to claim 15 , wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of non-conductive bodies.

17 . The electrode according to claim 16 , wherein the non-conductive bodies comprise non-conductive plates.

18 . The electrode according to claim 15 , wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of conductive bodies.

19 . The electrode according to claim 18 , wherein the conductive bodies comprise conductive plates.

20 . The electrode according to claim 17 , wherein a plurality of conductive plates interpose a plurality of non-conductive plates.

21 . The electrode according to claim 20 , wherein an outer profile of the plurality of conductive plates, and the plurality of non-conductive plates, generally tapers from a first end of the electrode to a second end of the electrode.

22 . The electrode according to claim 18 , wherein the conductive bodies comprise conductive body elements.

23 . The electrode according to claim 22 , wherein the electrode comprises a plurality of non-conductive bodies, and wherein the plurality of non-conductive body comprises non-conductive rollers rotatably coupled to the conductive body elements.

24 . (canceled)

25 . The electrode according to claim 23 , wherein an outer profile of the conductive body elements, and the non-conductive rollers, generally tapers from a first end of the electrode to a second end of the electrode.

26 . An electrode arrangement comprising a plurality of electrodes according to claim 15 .

27 . A component comprising a cavity electrochemically machined using the method according to claim 1 .

28 . (canceled)

29 . A component comprising a cavity electrochemically machined using the flexible electrode according to claim 15 .

Assignees

• Cummins Ltd

Inventors

• Holroyd Robert L
• Roberts Thomas
• Sullivan Laura

Classifications

• C25F7/00

  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

• C25F3/24

  of iron or steel · CPC title

• C25F3/20

  of aluminium · CPC title

• B23H7/26

  Apparatus for moving or positioning electrode relatively to workpiece; Mounting of electrode · CPC title

• B23H9/10

  Working turbine blades or nozzles · CPC title