Electrochemical machining process, electrode therefor and turbine bucket with turbulated cooling passage
US6416283B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05B2260/222
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electrode having a dielectric coating is patterned to provide axially spaced rows of insulating material on the external surface of the electrode with one or more gaps in the insulating material of each row. The electrode is placed in a preformed hole of a turbine bucket and an electrolyte is provided for flow between the electrode and the walls of the hole. Upon application of an electrical current, portions of the material of the interior wall surface directly opposite the non-insulated portions of the electrode are dissolved, forming grooves. The insulated portions of the electrode leave axially spaced rows of projections extending toward the axis of the hole. The gaps in the rows or projections are axially misaligned. The projections form turbulators in the cooling flow passages of the bucket, enhancing the heat transfer coefficient.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.