IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,320,029
Granted Patent B2
US 12,320,029 · App. 17/843,254 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Methods and systems of electrochemical machining

Inventors: Andrew Lee Trimmer (Niskayuna, NY); John Malott Cottrill (Franklin, OH)
Assignee: General Electric Company
C25F3/14B23H3/02B23H3/04C25F3/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,320,029
App. No.
17/843,254
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems of electrochemically machining are provided. The methods may include applying a first potential to a tool electrode of an electrochemical machining system to generate a primary electric field. The electrochemical machining system may include a workpiece opposite the tool electrode, at least one bias electrode, and at least one fluid delivery channel within the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include applying at least one second potential to the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include delivering a charged electrolyte solution through the at least one fluid delivery channel into the electrolyte solution. Applying at least one second potential and the delivering the charged electrolyte solution generates at least one secondary electric field adjacent to the primary electric field and quenches at least one location of the primary electric field.

Claims (18)

1. A method of electrochemically machining a workpiece, the method comprising:

applying a first potential to a tool electrode of an electrochemical machining system to generate a primary electric field, wherein the electrochemical machining system comprises a workpiece opposite the tool electrode, at least one bias electrode, and at least one fluid delivery channel within the at least one bias electrode; wherein the primary electric field is generated within an electrolyte solution between the tool electrode and the workpiece;

applying at least one second potential to the at least one bias electrode; and

delivering a charged electrolyte solution through the at least one fluid delivery channel into the electrolyte solution, wherein the applying at least one second potential and the delivering the charged electrolyte solution generates at least one secondary electric field adjacent to the primary electric field and quenches at least one location of the primary electric field.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one spacer is positioned in between the at least one bias electrode and the tool electrode.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one spacer has a thickness of 100micrometers to 2500 micrometers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one bias electrode is electrically connected in series with the tool electrode and the workpiece.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first potential is a direct current potential of 5 volts to 50 volts.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second potential is a direct current potential of 1 volt to 10 volts.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second potential comprises two or more second potentials that are unique voltages from each other.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first potential is a first pulsed potential and the at least one second potential is at least one second pulsed potential.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first pulsed potential has an average potential of 1 volt to 5 volts.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one second pulsed potential has an average potential of 1 volt to 5 volts.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the charged electrolyte solution is charged in the at least one fluid delivery channel by the at least one second potential.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the charged electrolyte solution exits at least one nozzle of the at least one bias electrode at a rate of 1 L/min to 50 L/min.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the workpiece and the at least one bias electrode comprise a metal material, the metal material comprising a metal alloy comprising a titanium-based alloy, niobium-based alloy, nickel-based alloy, zirconium-based alloy, palladium-based alloy, platinum-based alloy, aluminum-based alloy, chromium-based alloy, manganese-based alloy, cobalt-based alloy, molybdenum-based alloy, hafnium-based alloy, tungsten-based alloy, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the delivering the charged electrolyte solution substantially decreases an oxidation rate of a finished component adjacent to the workpiece.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the finished component is an airfoil.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: TRIMMER, ANDREW LEE; COTTRILL, JOHN MALOTT
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 060238/0035 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230407516A1 · Dec 21, 2023
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