IP Library Granted Patent US 11,951,586
Granted Patent B2
US 11,951,586 · App. 16/842,050 · Granted Apr 9, 2024

Abrasive flow machining method and article

Inventors: Wendell V. Twelves (Glastonbury, CT); Joe Ott (Enfield, CT); Evan Butcher (Manchester, CT); John P. Rizzo, Jr. (Vernon, CT)
Assignee: RTX Corporation
B24B31/006B22F10/66B24B31/116B24C1/04B24C3/325B24C3/327B33Y10/00B33Y40/20F01D5/18F01D5/187B22F2003/247B22F10/28B22F2202/15B22F2999/00B33Y99/00F05D2250/25F05D2260/209
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,951,586
App. No.
16/842,050
Granted
Apr 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for abrasive flow machining includes moving an abrasive media through a high-aspect passage of a workpiece. Local pressure of the abrasive media is increased at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into.

Claims (25)

1. A method for abrasive flow machining, the method comprising:

moving an abrasive media though a high-aspect passage of a workpiece;

increasing local pressure of the abrasive media at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry of the workpiece that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into, wherein the high-aspect passage has a lateral dimension and a passage length from a passage inlet to a passage outlet, and a ratio of the passage length to the lateral dimension is 4:1 or greater; and

pressurizing an exterior of the workpiece.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ratio is 10:1 or greater.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ratio is 25:1 or greater.

4. A method for abrasive flow machining, the method comprising:

moving an abrasive media though a high-aspect passage of a workpiece; and

increasing local pressure of the abrasive media at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry of the workpiece that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into, wherein the passage geometry includes a helical shape of the passage.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 , further comprising pressurizing an exterior of the workpiece.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the high-aspect passage has a lateral dimension and a passage length from a passage inlet to a passage outlet, and a ratio of the passage length to the lateral dimension is 4:1 or greater.

7. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the moving of the abrasive media through the high-aspect passage includes pressurizing the abrasive media to a pressure of 0.5-700 MPa.

8. A method for abrasive flow machining, the method comprising:

moving an abrasive media though a high-aspect passage of a workpiece; and

increasing local pressure of the abrasive media at target abrasion surfaces of the high-aspect passage using a passage geometry of the workpiece that is configured to direct flow of the abrasive media into the target abrasion surfaces such that the target abrasion surfaces are preferentially polished by the abrasive media over other, non-targeted surfaces of the high-aspect passage at which the flow of the abrasive media is not directed into, further comprising pressurizing an exterior of the workpiece.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a waveform shape of the passage.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a helical shape of the passage.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a helical rib.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a swirl vane.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a passage constriction at a passage turn.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the passage geometry includes a passage contraction leading into the passage constriction.

15. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the passage geometry includes a bulbous end at a passage turn, the bulbous end having a distal corner.

16. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the abrasive media includes a solid particulate and the solid particulate comprises, by volume, 80% or less of the abrasive media.

17. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the moving of the abrasive media through the high-aspect passage includes pressurizing the abrasive media to a pressure of 0.5-700 MPa.

18. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the moving of the abrasive media through the high-aspect passage includes pressurizing the abrasive media to a pressure of 0.5-700 MPa.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064402/0837 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE AND REMOVE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11886281 AND ADD PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14846874. TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054062 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055659/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 4, 2020
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054062/0001 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15185554 · Jun 17, 2016
Related Publication 20200230779A1 · Jul 23, 2020