Apparatus and method for electropolishing surfaces
US6599415B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25F3/16
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for electropolishing a workpiece without immersing the workpiece in a bath of electrolytic solution. The workpiece is held in an atmospheric environment, while electrolytic solution is discharged from a reservoir in the form of a plurality of jet streams onto the surface of the workpiece. A voltage difference is applied across the workpiece and the jet streams, thereby inducing a current to flow, between the workpiece acting as anode and the jet streams acting as cathode. The workpiece may be rotated about an axis and moved linearly along the same axis while the jet streams of electrolytic solution are discharged onto the workpiece. Anodic dissolution causes polishing of the workpiece surface. The electrolytic solution may be collected after discharge and recycled back into the reservoir, after being filtered and cooled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.