Patent · US Expired

Method of monitoring electrochemical machining process and tool assembly therefor

US6355156B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
1References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2000
Grant dateMar 12, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23H9/10
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An electrochemical machining process is monitored by embedding an ultrasonic sensor in an electrochemical machining tool to provide a tool assembly, placing the tool assembly in a spatial relationship with a workpiece, disposing an electrolytic fluid at least in a gap between the tool and the workpiece, connecting the tool and the workpiece to an electrical power source, generating an acoustic wave from the ultrasonic sensor to propagate through the electrolytic fluid to the workpiece and reflect back from the workpiece, and, based on the propagation and reception of the acoustic wave, calculating measurement of at least the size of the gap or the thickness of the workpiece.

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