Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for drilling small diameter holes in fragile material with high velocity liquid jet

US4955164A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
12References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 1989
Grant dateSep 11, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB26F3/004
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An abrasivejet drilling system is disclosed for drilling small diameter holes in fragile materials of the type which tend to crack when impacted by such jets. The system employs a drilling jet formed from a high pressure liquid whose pressurization varies with time during the drilling process. To avoid damage to fragile materials, angular holes are drilled by initially penetrating the surface of the fragile workpiece perpendicular to the workpiece's surface and thereafter pivoting the jet to the correct angle. The jet dwell in the drilled hole for a predetermined time to modify the hole geometry is monitored by detecting the change in sound level when the jet drills completely through the workpiece.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.